My husband is an amazing man. He works hard to provide for our family not only the basics but above and beyond; dinners out, vacations, spontaneous shopping trips. He works more than one job so that I can work the minimum to keep up my nursing license and stay home with our son. It has been 6 years since he went on a trip by himself that wasn’t work or graduate school related. For months he has been planning a trip to Alaska to visit his dad. I knew I would miss him, but I didn’t realize how different this trip would be from previous ones. You see, now we have a toddler.
I learned a few things during those 2 week as a single parent. I learned things about myself, the world and my husband. I thought I would share them with you.
#1 Being a single parent is hard
I don’t know that it really sunk in until about day 3. I always appreciated how much he does for me when he gets home from work, but it still feels like I’m running around like crazy. When that 3pm back up didn’t arrive and I realized it was still 5 hours until bed time I realized that single parenting is hard.
#2 You have to have a support system
We made it a week doing our normal routine. I did have to take 2 days off of work due to childcare when daddy would normally have hung out with JDub. The second week we went to visit grandparents and family and it was amazing to have extra hands and other adults to talk to. I even got to workout while he napped each day. It was just the break I needed.
#3 I’m stronger than I thought
I handled a few crisis moments. including leaving my house keys 300 miles away when we arrived home, having no proof that JDub was under 2 and the airlines telling me I had to fork over $300 for a seat for him, and various issues with airport security and making flight connections. We survived, no worse for wear and in the end I didn’t even have to shell out more money.
#4 Facetime is the greatest thing ever
Not only did Jdub and I get to talk to daddy every day, we were able to see him. Jdub would give daddy kisses on the phone which is about the most precious thing. It was great to be able to see his face and know that he missed us as much as we missed him.
#5 Working out is amazing for staying balanced, make it happen
I made it a point to exercise everyday except 1 of the 14 days I was solo. Sometimes I was exhausted and just wanted to change us both into our jam jams and eat popcorn for dinner. I loaded us up and either hit the gym where he was happy to play in the kids area or we hiked around the lake with our backpack. This kept me sane and happy and balanced. Bonus points I lost 2 lbs during these 2 weeks. you know what was special about those 2 lbs, they were the last 2 lbs of baby weight. I am officially at my pre-baby weight and very proud of myself.
I hear you. My husband is in the Reserves and regularly has two week training every year in addition to other random training and monthly weekends away. It can be so draining at times! Especially with three kids now. Thankfully the older two have school. It helps break up the time. Getting out of the house helps us, from trips to the library to the indoor play park. Even playdates help, yeah its an extra kid or two, but they disappear into their rooms for an hour.
I truly appreciate your efforts at understanding the trials of a single mom. And your acknowledgement that it’s HARD to do! Now do it for 20 years while working full-time! I’m grateful that my four kids and I survived . I love your blog and your recipes. You’re doing a great job!
A very insightful share, thank you.