Single parenting, that is.
When I was in college, and in the years thereafter, I was firmly convinced I could have it all: I could be a mother and a professional (theatre professional, in that time period of my life – a backstage or stage manager professional, not an actress). Being that there is a shortage of, um, suitable men in the theatre industry, I just knew I could do “the turkey baster” thing and be a single mother. After all, my mother did it, and she did it well.
It is only now, that I am a mother myself, that my mother is telling me just how hard it was. And I keep apologizing, although it’s not my fault at all. Until I was 14. Then I’m sure it’s all my fault! (it is only now, being infertile, that I realize how rude “turkey baster” sounds. But, hey, I was young. And stupid).
But now I am older wiser, and I realize that single parenting must really be a nightmare. And people choose it willingly, which I really don’t understand.
Keith has been working crazy hours. Overnight hours. Alternating with daytime hours. So he’s either at work or asleep. Yes, we have had two wonderful family lunches in the past two weeks, and he did get an ice day on Tuesday of this week. But in general, I have been responsible for the entirety of Little Man’s life.
That means waking up (multiple times overnight, some nights), breakfast, lunch & dinner, bath time, bedtime, naptimes, entertainment times, reading times, fit-pitching times, crying times, happy times, you get the idea. All times.
And it is very. very. very. hard. I just want a break. I want to sit down and relax (like now, I hear some of you smarmily saying? well, he’s asleep). I want to not be hands-on responsible for this little life 24/7. I’d like to take a moment off, please. And because I don’t sleep well when Keith isn’t here (and for all of you wacko internet creeps I hear so much about, I have a gun, so don’t bother me), I am doubly exhausted.
I like my partnership with Keith. I like parenting with him, and not just in theory. I actually like when he is next to me and we are parenting our Little Man together. Maybe that’s part of it: we have a great marriage and we are figuring out how to be parents together.
But right now, while he’s out working really hard so I can be a SAHM, we’re not together.
I don’t know how single parents do it. Or military spouses, like my sister-in-law and my friend Heidi. So props to all of you single parents out there.
I’m not cut out for this.
danielthree18 
I hear you sister, loud and clear! Hopefully hubby's hours slow down soon, or at least are on a regular schedule. ((hugs))
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It's REALLY hard when your partner isn't there. Sometimes we even need to call in a third person because two of us can't handle it. lol
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If you need a break, LM is always welcome here! You've never actually taken me up on that, though. lol I don't know how you do it, either. I'm spoiled that B works an 8-5 job and that I can unload R on him when he gets home. Besides, I owe you babysitting! 😉
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I hear you too.
This is a struggle here often as well as my husband has crazy summer hours at his job and might be near by at work, but is unavailable to help do the mundane.
It is so exhausting.
And although I know it absolutely does not last forever, at 4 p.m. on a Tuesday, it sure feels as if it does.
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You are so right! And, believe me, it doesn't get any easier when they get older and more self-sufficient. The issues get more complicated and it's emotionally exhausting. I think about how hard it would be to negotiate these teen years alone. I would do it if I had to, but I'm so glad I don't have to!
Hope you get some rest, mama… you need it!
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I'm in the same place. Dave works crazy hours and has a messed up sleep schedule. He's medically trying to help change his sleep so we can see him more but it's just a bandaid fix.
He gets two days off a week and at least 2 of those a month I either leave them at home or I kick them out on a daddy daughter date so I get some time to myself.
He doesn't always understand and I try to remind him that most SAHM's get a break around dinner time when daddy comes home and that's just not how it is for me.
Prayers for you! Oh and I always thought if I didn't get married I'd adopt and be a single mom. So glad it didn't happen that way. This is hard enough, I couldn't handle single parenting.
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