On a typical day Kristian gets up and leaves the house before I wake up. It's my job in the morning to get myself ready for work and also get Hunter fed, changed, dressed and both of us out the door by 7:45am all by myself. Fortunately we have a pretty good system down and Hunter is typically in good spirits in the morning so it's not too hard. Once he gets more mobile I suspect this will be much harder.
In the afternoons (which is typically Hunter's fussy period), Kristian picks him up from daycare between 3-4pm and then I get home at 6pm. Once I get home we tag team taking care of the baby and getting shit done around the house. Kristian usually makes dinner while I either nurse or play with Hunter. Most nights we have to take turns eating while the other entertains Hunter and then most nights Kristian will have to make his bedtime bottle while I do his bath and get him in his pj's. Even with another person it's exhausting and hard.
There have a been a handful of nights when Kristian has had to work late and not get home until 8:30-9pm (most of those nights Hunter is already in bed and Kristian will not have seen him all day). I dread those nights because it means I'm on solo mommy duty. I have to pick Hunter up from daycare (which I actually love) get him home, play with, feed, bathe and get him to bed by myself. Not to mention feed myself, clean bottles, pick up around the house oh and perhaps maybe change my clothes or pee if I get a chance. Fortunately every night I've done this so far Hunter has been awesome. Just a happy, easy, sweet baby. But I know he could just as easily be having one of his monster fuss nights where all he wants is to be held (while you stand up, no sitting allowed).
Anyways, the whole point of this is to say that I CANNOT imagine being a single parent and having to do all this shit by myself 24/7. I think working full time and parenting with a very helpful husband is exhausting enough. I don't know how I would do it and I pray I never have to.
So for all of you single parents out there (including most especially my own mother) I give you a massive standing ovation and all the credit in the world. I can't think of a tougher job.
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Me, Myself and I
- Shannon
- Thirty-something living in Northern VA. Married to the coolest guy I know (5/22/10) that I met via match.com (hence the name of the blog). We are raising one cat, one dog and one 4 year old little boy. Follow me on Instagram where I post more often at sep0522.
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9 comments:
I also can't think of a tougher job than being a single parent, including for those who have more than one child! They are superheroes, for sure.
I have a friend who is a single parent and she definitely says its difficult! I can't
Even
Imagine!
Absolutely, I couldn't agree more!
The first week after we got home from the hospital me and my husband just kept saying to each other, OMG how do single parents cope!
I'm still on maternity leave until Christmas so havent had to do the getting ready for work / nursery yet but must be so hard; Ive been so lucky that all the times when G's been away so far, my parents have helped since I had such terrible back pain and it was difficult for me to lift. He's going on a stag do soon which will end up being the first weekend im on my own at night!
I agree hands down!! With two of us I still feel like I go go go and never get a break until I head to bed exhausted around 10:30.
Your post is just a reminder of how lucky us ladies are with partners/husbands. I can't imagine doing it on my own once Connor arrives.
I think about that ALL the time.
I truly believe that the reason it takes TWO people to make a baby is because it truly takes two to take care of one and keep your sanity.
HOW do single Moms (and Dads) actually eat? They must all be rail thin.
Gosh I couldn't imagine either and I don't even have kids! :) You're doing a great job!!
Amen sister! Me either.
Mark works a ton too and there are some days I question my ability to Mom on my own :)
I did a solo last friday so the hubby could go to a baseball game ... it really made me appreciate him so much b/c he does all the little things that I can't do while focused on Annabelle. I admire all parents, but as you point out, those single parents are pretty awesome!
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