Solo parenting - Day 2

When I knew Tom was going to be away for a week, one thing I knew for sure: I was signing Eli up for 5 mornings of preschool. I gave myself permission to have a daily dose of sanity. And with it, I haven't put a whole lot of pressure on myself to get so much accomplished as I have to just take a little time to myself to do something relaxing (which, thankfully for the boys, includes grocery shopping).

I also realized today that while I'm all trying to survive this ONE week of solo parenting: 1) it's just one week and one week with an end and 2) I don't have to work another job. I'm not sure when solo parents get all their errands done or get to do something for themselves. I did have a sitter tonight but that doesn't come without a price tag. So I really can't pretend to know what true solo parenting is like although I respect solo parents even more than I already did.

Tonight I got a babysitter so I can volunteer at the elementary school's math night. While I usually don't have any qualms leaving the kids with a sitter for an evening, tonight I was especially glad that my absence was going to be short (3 hours) compared to the date Tom and I went on for my birthday (6 hours). Knowing one parent was already away, I was glad the other (me) wasn't going to be gone for long. I was pretty sure the boys wouldn't be pining for me while I was gone, but some kind of instinct kind of kicked in that I wanted to be close by the kids.

Today I really see Tobey stepping up to the plate to be, well, maybe not the MAN of the house, but doing his best to make my job easier. Not only did he get ready for school today without any nagging or tearing out of hair by me, this afternoon he even took his shower completely independently, absent of the recent whining he has been doing about needing help drying himself with a towel and blow drying his hair. His trying so hard has actually been a sort of comfort for me, just knowing he's really trying his best to help me out.