Friday, November 16, 2007

How Do Single Parents Do It?

I just don’t know how single parents do it.

Bethany was home sick today, so I adapted my schedule around her and tried to get done what I could. Nick is away until tomorrow night and I never really sleep well with half of the bed empty. I hope I never have to adapt.

The house is too quiet, even with both my girls sleeping soundly.

He sent me flowers and the dining room smells wonderful. Bonus points in the “He can do no wrong club” again. A present to make me miss his presence even more.

I’d forgotten just how much company the other adult in my family can be! Someone to talk to, decompress with and make a stand with. I find myself wanting to hold deep conversations with the dwarf hamster at almost 1 in the morning. Time for bed!

Kudos to all single parents out there who do this alone all of the time!

5 comments:

Lori said...

I had to be a single parent for one year, and I hope never again!
You say it right, sista! It's more than tough... especially with no vehicle and no job!

We are lucky indeed to share the burden.

lol, I bet the hampster likes that cute little voice that you do ;)

Anonymous said...

My first comment here! I've been a fan of yours for years and reading your blogs always makes me smile:)
I'm also a single mom and believe me, it can be hard some days. My 2 daughters are my saving grace though and I've learned just how strong I can be during the hard times. And the good times are just that more special when I realize I can make it thru.
You really are an inspiration to me. I wish you and your family the best during this season and I'll keep you in my prayers so that finally you can find some relief due to that bothersome health problem!
Now, where did I leave my latest xmas project?-lol Oh, and Buddy is very cute-have to go check that website out too!

Anonymous said...

This is the first time I have commented also. I know the single parent thing also. I was on my own for many years until I met a wonderful man. He gave me the best 8 years ever. Two months ago he was taken from me in a work accident.Now I am again a single mother and it is soooooooo hard. Give that wonderful man an extra hug and tell him that you love him. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

Gossamer Axe said...

My Mom did it when my father died (I was 5). She said it was tough, because she had to work full time to support us. But luckily she had flexible hours tho no medical insurance. But she managed.

She's a smart woman, never remarried, she was tough on me (more so than my peers) but it helped keep me straight. She's now going to turn 65 and i'm going to be 39. I live in her back house and help her out. We split all the financial stuff, I do all the back breaking work, she cooks so it all works out well.

One cool thing...When I was a teenager I wanted to go to heavy metal concerts, but she didn't want me to go with my friends. So one day, she said I could go, but she was going with me. I was thrilled! All my friends wanted her to adopt them... =] She went to concerts with me until just recently (injury, she doesn't walk too well now) but it was always cool to have my Mom go to shows with me. She even went to see my bands play clubs when I was younger.

I never had kids, never married, single life is normal to me...so getting married didn't appeal to me much. I'm one of the fortunate ones, to have a strong minded/willed parent that is also very intelligent. She's the strongest person I know and I have the utmost respect for her.

I still live at home to help her out, she didn't abandon me when she found herself a single parent, so I won't abandon her as she gets older. =]

Dani - tkdchick said...

Awww Jen what a sweetie Nick is! Can I borrow him to teach Todd a few lessons?

I stopped by my friend Beatrice's blog (Stitching With a View) and I was just thrilled to see you left her a comment about our 2008 SAL.

I bet she's over the moon!