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An Ode to Single Parents

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Oh, well, hello there!  Long time no see.  Or write.  Or chat.  Or whatever.

At the end of last week, my husband was hit hard with what I thought at the time was just a man cold.  He was down and out all weekend, and I was pretty annoyed.  Stay at home moms need a break, too, am I right?  As I knew he would do if the situation was reversed, I gladly took care of the kids so he could rest/nap/sleep as much as he wanted to.

I did force him to go to the After Hours clinic on Saturday afternoon for a strep throat swab, though.  I’m not *that* nice.  It was negative, as were the flu and mono (!) tests we had run on Tuesday.

The “man cold” continued through Monday and into Tuesday.  And Wednesday.  And then some of Thursday.  Today is Friday, and I’m crossing my fingers that whatever virus he had has run its course – both sets of our parents arrive today to help us celebrate Zack’s 5th birthday this weekend.  I think I might have the house cleaned up, sheets washed, and cupcakes baked just in the nick of time.

Why do I tell you all of this?  It’s because I want to give a shout out to every single mom out there.  To every mom who has a deployed husband.  To the ones of you who are widowed.  To the ones of you whose husbands travel for business all week long. I do not know how you do it. Just having my husband out of commission for 6 days was enough to almost break me. I know it seems silly to say that, but that’s not my “normal.”

You women (and men) who do it all are absolutely amazing and deserve WAY more credit than you get.  So, for all of those evenings when you are struggling to get dinner on the table and get the kids in bed so you can have an hour to yourself before you have to get ready for the next day and start it all over again {Breathe, Lindsay! Breathe!}, please know that I am thinking of you and wish I could be there to help you with the dishes and get the laundry washed.  YOU are holding it together for your families and you. are. amazing.  Thank you for what you are doing for your children.  They may not know enough to thank you right now, but as adults, they are going to look back and be proud.

See?  Even a random little girl on the Internet says ‘Thank you.’

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Comments

  2. Joy says

    Lindsey…thank you. I’ve been a single mom for 7 years ( that seems like forever when I say it out loud). My girls were 6 and 7 when my husband walked away from our family. It has been thhe most difficult thing I could imagine but the Lord has been a wonderful, perfect provider, strength and lover of my soul. I hate that your husband has been sick, but I do appreciate the sweet thoughts.

    Reply

  3. Sarah's Fab Day says

    Word! My parents got divorced when I was very young and I can’t believe she put herself through interior design school (which we all know is very time consuming) with two shrimps (5 & 3) all alone. I’m amazed all of the time how she managed when I’m having a hard time managing with my 2 and dad. You’re right THANK YOU!!!

    Reply

  5. Lynn says

    I’m a military wife at the tail end of our fourth year-long deployment in seven years. I’m pretty much hanging at the end of my rope right now, so I really needed to read this today. Thanks so much for posting it.

    Reply

  7. Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe says

    I have been wanting to write something similar on my own blog! My husband has been traveling for work since August – right after we found out we are pregnant with baby #2! As a single working {pregnant} mom, I am absolutely exhausted. HUGE kudos to those women who go through this on a daily basis. I don’t know how you do it!

    Reply

  12. Laree @ Ever Heard of Euless says

    I’m a Pilot’s Wife. Mine is an interesting combination. I’m a single mom for half the week, and then a wife/mommy to a hubby who can’t wait to get back and fly! That weekly transition from total control to shared control is quite the balancing act.

    But after 4 years, we’re pretty used to it. Humans are so resilient. You can get used to anything!

    Reply

  13. Christa aka the BabbyMama says

    Egads, you do NOT want to know what I’m wearing right now. I’m serious. If my Mommy Uniform had a name, it would be schlumpydumpenstein!

    Thanks for your shout out to single moms, btw. I’m not one myself, but my mom was, and she rocked it!

    Reply

  14. Etta says

    GREAT post! My husband works 2 jobs plus he’s a pastor, so I feel SOME of what you are talking about, but I think any of us with daddies at home, even for a little bit, can’t totally understand what single moms go through every.single.day. They really are to be commended!

    Reply

  16. kaylen says

    I have been a single mom since my son was three – he’s now 18.
    I moved six hours from all friends and family to put myself through college, while working two jobs (one at a child center where my son came with me) and not getting child support. My goal for the last 15 years was to not make my son suffer any because of the choices I made in my life.

    I always marvel at the married ladies I work with when they talk about their son being out of town for a week or something and how hard it is and they ALWAYS turn to me and say-I don’t know how you did it on your own!

    I know how…and here’s the secret…
    You don’t have any other option. That’s it. You sometimes have to choose a well-balanced meal on time or getting your errands done. Or letting your son watch two movies back to back and not getting the dishes done or not studying for an important test. You choose what you have to and you just DO IT because you have no other options. That’s all. And after you do it for a month, then three, then six, then a year – the choices are easier.

    Reply

  17. Jody says

    I was raised by a single parent, I’m in my 30’s now and I still to this day do not know how she did it!? I am so thankful for her God knows!

    Reply

  18. amme says

    While I am not saying that I know anything about being a single parent, I am often by myself during the week (my husband travels). I think of my single mom friends when he is gone and think about how amazing they are! Hats off to all the single moms, we need to lend our help to these amazing moms (and dad’s too!)

    Reply

  19. Becky says

    Thanks for such a heartfelt and genuine post.
    My 3 children are adults now and doing well, but we went through some extremely tough times after their father walked away–I was expecting our third child. Most days I just put one foot in front of the other, wishing I could do it all, praying for God’s guidance.

    Reply

  20. SAB says

    I’ve been a single mom since day 1 and have been having a tough time with my 4 year old little girl lately so it was a great to read this today. Thank you:-)

    Reply

  21. Kerry-Ann says

    Thank you….I have been a single mum then got married which gave me two more kids…..then after 3 years of marriage my husband decided that he actually prefered single life and couldnt having to come home and spend time with the kids so he left…that left me at the time with a 10 year old a 2 year old and 16 weeks pregnant……that was 9 years ago now and I am still on my own but love every minute of it…..my kids are my world (along with my craft room of course….. I personally call it my sane room). The kids are now nearly 17, 11 and 9 and I am not saying that we dont have rough days and days where nothing gets done and the house isnt a pig sty….but in the time i have been on my own i have worked full time put myself through university by distance and raised 3 fabulous kids……the mess in the house is the least of my problems!!!!!!

    Reply

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