A HUGE applause to those single parents

coasterqueen wrote: I was on my way to work this morning when I thought to myself "Ah, I want my life back!" With Dh out of town for 63 days now and life has just thrown me too many curves I just felt like "I want my life back" on the way this morning. Then I laughed and thought "OMG, I need to be thankful for so much that I have. There are so many women and men out there being single parents 365 days a year, not the 90+ days like I am".

That little conversation with myself this morning was a real eye opener to me. Forgive me if I ramble but I am so stressed right now that there are so many things going through my head I want to get off my chest and in a roundabout way what I want to get across is that those of you who are single parents deserve a huge round of applause and that isn't even enough. You are incredible. It doesn't even matter if you have put yourself into a position to be a single parent or if it happened when you didn't want to be, you are incredible.

I've had to change lightbulbs 2 different times now. Now that might not sound like a big deal to you, and it really isn't to me either. It's a bit of a pain because we have such high ceilings and our ladder is broken, but I've managed. Changing a light bulb is one thing. What about being a single parent to two kids and looking out into the yard wondering when you are going to upkeep the landscape or how you were going to clean out the gutters; pressure wash the house; fix the garage door opener because it's broken; fix a toilet because it continuously runs and so on. Now I guess I could say that more than likely a single parent wouldn't own a place so there isn't as much maintenance to worry about.

OMG, there is so much to worry about, maintain, do, etc. I am so utterly exhausted at being a single parent for these past 63 days I feel like I forgot that I'm supposed to be a loving mother who's fun, happy and the best mom in the world. Don't get me wrong, I'm not unhappy and I have done my best and am proud of that, but I haven't been the person I thought I was or should be. Why? Because I feel like I have so much to maintain, do, so much energy to have that I don't have.

How many more curves can life throw your way in a day, weekend, month? At least when you are married and spouse is present and curves are thrown your way you have someone to lean on, to help you through them. You aren't alone to be the strong person to your children. If you want to cry, your spouse will be with your children. If you want to get angry, spouse will be there too. Yes, my Dh has been here for me as life has thrown me a LOT of curves lately, but it's just not the same when he's not here, ya know.

Oh gosh, and don't get me started about being a single parent and working full time. Geesh, that in itself has been hard on me for the past 63 days, I can't imagine 365 days a year. Having to go to your boss and say "yep, again i need to take off. i know it's the 6 day in less than a month, I'm sorry". I mean, at least if you were a stay at home mom you wouldn't have the added stress of an employer, right?

Ok, I'm not making any sense and just rambling. Just know, you, those who are single parents I have such a strong feeling of, I don't even know what the word is. You are just incredible.

I will never take for granted what I have. Not after this experience. I can complain all I want, but you have it tougher.

mckayleesmom replied: I hear you Karen...My husband is only back 2 weeks at a time and its tough...but at least I get a little break somewhere...some woman and men who are single parents are not that lucky.

mummy2girls replied: Karen i am bawling right now. That means alot to me ... not many people tell me things like that...and those are what i need to hear sometimes. yes its hard being a single mom but it is so worth it when i see my little girl happy and growing. Agin thank you karen you made my night!

amymom replied: Honor to all those that do it alone
And thanks to all who help them. Friends and Family.

Thanks for bringing this up.

redchief replied: totally Karen!!! A big Whoop-whoop to all you single parents who keep it together every day of the year. I'd have gone nuts by now.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: :friendhug: ITA!!

PhiMuMommy replied: I totally agree.. i am TECHNICALLY a single parent but i have so much support with my family and his family (not him... just his mom and brother.) that i don't feel like it most of the time.. i can't imagine not having some support system around me and dealing with it all on my own!

ediep replied: I totally agree with Karen. My Dh travels for work, but its only for a few days or a week at most at a time.... its really no big deal compared to 90 days or being single altogether.
to eveyone who is doing this hard job by themselves

DansMom replied: Hear, hear! Single parents rise to the occasion every day. I remember what a struggle it was for my mom at times.

USMCwife replied: That was soooo sweet and thoughtful! I was a single mom for a few years and it is very hard. But like someone else said it is soooo worth it when you look at your child.

My DH is in the military and is only home on weekends, so I still sometimes feel like a single mom. But I feel lucky because I do have family that lives near me and can help out some when I need them.
Hubby will be getting a medical discharge soon, so he will be here all the time, I am so ready for that!!!

(((((single parents)))))

Jamison'smama replied: ITA Karen--well said!

C&K*s Mommie replied: I give a BIG hand to those single parents. I think almost on a daily basis about that. When I am stressed , I count my blessings that Chris is working hard so I am able to school & put working p/t on the backburner because I chose to. It also crosses my mind when people mention that having children close in age, or being a SAHM is hard work . I think this is an ant hill of a mountain to climb, compared to the parents that either were thrust into single parenthood (by choice or by death or other).

BUT by the same thought, it gives me renewed energy to face my probs and be happy- because if they can do alone-- I surely can do it, too!