How I Managed to Be a Single Parent For a Week

I have a great employer. That's how I did it.

I work part time (Mon-Thurs). I flexed my work schedule. I worked a full day the Friday before my husband left so I could work shorter days while he was gone. With my long commute, pumping, and lunch, I'm typically gone 10-11 hours a day. There is no way I could work a full day and do both daycare drop off and pick up. A downside to using an in home daycare is that our daycare closes early - 5:30pm. Besides, I wouldn't want my kids to be in daycare 11 hours.

Working short days was a blessing. It made our week go rather smoothly. Thank you to my employer and manager for being flexible. I know I'm fortunate & not all companies are as supportive of working parents.

My daughters and I getting some snuggle time in while Dad was gone.

Love,

Single Pumping Working Momma

Those words shouldn't go together. If I was a full time single parent there is no way I would pump. My kid would definitely be formula fed. I would have to get myself plus 2 kids ready in the morning, drop kids off at daycare, drive to work, work a full day, drive home, pick up kids, cook dinner, play with kids, bathe kids, bedtime with kids x2, get house work done, crash in bed. I didn't see any room to take time to pump at work, store milk in bags, or sanitize pump parts. That would definitely be the first to go.


Love,

Single Parent

For all those single parents or parents with deployed spouses, I salute you. You have one TOUGH job.

I had a taste of being a single parent this month. Hubby went on work travel for 6 days. I'm counting Sunday through Friday as 6 days.

I decided that being a temporary single parent is like running.

When you first start you feel great. You go too fast and do not pace yourself. You're super mom. Shortly afterwards fatigue sets in and you decide this suck. You question why you are doing this. The end seems far away. That was my Tuesday. It will get its own post. Awful day. Then you get over the hump and realize you can do it. You pull your head up and say this isn't so bad. And finally the end! You see the finish line and you sprint. Then you crash on the ground.

I hope to not do this frequently. It takes a team to raise small children. I'm THANKFUL my husband is back!

Love,