Single parent

Here we are in DC. "We" is actually just me and the boys. Tom is in Pittsburgh visiting his mom for a couple of days. So in the meantime I've had a taste of being a single parent.

And I recognize this is just a very very small taste. For one thing, I have the hope that Tom will come back tomorrow night and all will be back to normal. I can call him more than once a day so although he isn't here, I'm not alone. Sometimes I feel alone, like when Tobey and Eli last night woke up twice EACH before my head even hit the pillow. But again, I know that if this continues on, at least I'll get 50% help starting Saturday night. I also felt Tom's absence when I went to put Eli down and realize I hadn't set up his new humidifier. If Tom was here, it'd be all set up and running by the time I put Eli's PJ's on.

Also, I'm staying with my parents right now, which is most of the reason why I was emotionally able to encourage Tom to visit his mom by himself. So while I still can only put the kids down one after the other, leaving one to wait for the other, at least that one waiting is playing with Gong-Gong or Grandmommy.

But still, there are so many moments in the day that I wonder: how do single parents do it? Who do they discuss parenting issues with? Who do they share their kids joys with? When do they do their housework -- after the kids go to sleep? Then when do they have time for themselves? Who do they get to distract their other kid with when the first needs more 1-1 attention? Whose shoulder do they cry on when they just can't take it anymore?

Some of the strongest people in the world have got to be the single parents.