Single Parenting Challenge

Single Parenting Challenge - Day 1

So Adam left for London yesterday. Luckily, my mom is coming through town today on her way to visit family in New York, so I at least have back up tonight.

Several people have suggested to me that there could be some benefits to Adam going away. They have said that when their partners go away, they create a new routine with their kids that sometimes ends up being simpler and that, in fact, when their partner returns, it just messes up this system.

But this is not how it goes in our home. I just have too wonderful a partner. Adam is not just my husband, he is my best friend. He is not just the primary breadwinner, he is also my equal partner in looking after the household. I do the cooking, most of the laundry, dropping off and picking up the girls from school/daycare, and planning their meals and organizing their clothes. But Adam pays all the bills, deals with all the garbage/recycling/composting, he runs the dishwasher, folds the laundry, fills the car with gas, bathes the girls, reads with Big A, and shuttles the girls to and from their recreational activities.

Nevertheless, it's always helpful to look on the bright side of things, so I'm making a list of the perks of him not being here (grasping at straws here!):

1. When I wake up in the morning to do my workout, I can watch my choice of television without having to wait for Adam to finish his workout first;

2. It's easier to make the bed since I only disturb a tiny little corner of the blankets and sheets;

3. I'll be able to read the front section of the Globe and Mail everyday (usually Adam takes it with him to read on the subway on his way to work);

4. I can cook stuff for dinner he doesn't like...oh wait, I probably won't have time to do much cooking. I know! I can have breakfast-for-dinner (which I love and he hates) whenever I want!

5. I won't have to clean up after him. Actually, he cleans up after me more than the reverse...so who the heck is going to clean up after me???

6. I can read in bed with the light on for as long as I want every night (usually I have to switch to my itty bitty book light as soon as he comes to bed).

Yes, as you can see, being luck enough to have such a wonderful husband means that it's hard to find much to be happy about when he goes away. Perhaps THAT is the silver lining I need to focus on!

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