Saturday, November 7, 2009

Single Mother Survival

When I was nineteen, I took care of three little boys for a week. I was "not the mama" to a six year old, a four year old, and an almost two year old while their parents were in Cancun. I learned a lot in that week. The most important was that I would NEVER do anything to become an unwed mother. (I still think caring for someone's children would significantly reduce teen pregnancy rates.) Single parenthood is tough!

I find myself back in the position of taking care of a six year old, a four year old, and a sort-of-almost two year old by myself. It's again just a week. But the same most important survival technique remains: do something away from your house each day.

I have a list up in the kitchen. Cami read it this morning & thought it was the list of everything we were going to do today. It's my "what to do when Jason's gone" list. She was so excited to read "library" that we were out the door by 9:45 this morning. A walk through the park, some little errands on the way, & twenty minutes in the book borrowing facility made my life so much easier. I need that outside time. And the big stack of new books kept Cami pretty happy when Rose was napping.

When Rosie woke up, outside we went again. It was just a run to the corner store for some soy milk, but at 4:30, it's pretty dark outside. That made it a grand adventure. So, with imaginative dragon-slaying along the way, the kids had fun.

Now, the other single mother survival technique is adequate sleep. It's only 9:15, but that's pretty late for me. Good night, world.

P.S. Jason I hope your flight went well. I love you!

6 comments:

Dori Patterson said...

Starr, it was so great to see Jason today! I didn't get a chance to say hello to him, but there were some nostalgic warm fuzzies remembering your family. Fondu at your place was my first experience aside from chocolate fondu.

love lorri said...

Jason looked great! It was fun to talk to him, if only for a moment! All the ward was happy! I know he got a great meal at the Bishops place!
Miss you and the kids, wish you were with him!

Ellen Fehr said...

Starr~
I am glad you have found what works for you. And it is great that Cami loves the library so much--carrying on the great tradition of addiction to print, right?!!

Jen said...

When my husband is gone I am the stay up all night. I am like a child that has to be told when to go to bed!. I am so haggard by the time he gets back! It sounds like you may have it figured out better than I do!

Josh said...

I hope the week goes well and you have a lot of fun adventures.

The library is one of my favorite places.

Lynnea said...

The above comment was really me. Josh was logged in. :)