First thing you should know, is that I have a love-hate relationship with long weekends. I spend far too much time waiting for each one to arrive and there are all these expectations of how awesome they’d be but they get here and they always turn out to be never quite long enough. I’m sure they have a name for this condition, like whenever I’m having a good time, instead of just getting lost in the moment and soaking it in, I start a mental countdown of how much time I have left to enjoy it and how bummed I’d be once it ends. It’s just how this brain is wired.
This Easter break was good though, one of the best in fact. It felt like much-needed soul time sandwiched between two pretty crazy weeks.
For one, I’ve been parenting solo since the start of last week while the husband is off serving the country and going away on some super secret mission. I like me a macho soldier man but a 2-week reservist is really tough, especially with 3 kids and another on the way.
I’ve been thinking, I’m glad the husband doesn’t have to travel for work. How do people do this? I have a new respect for moms who have to deal with this on a regular basis. I get so used to having a tag-team partner around to play with the kids and bathe them and tuck them into bed whenever I need a breather. Even if I don’t activate the tag, it’s comforting to know that there’s someone there to hold the fort when there’s too much mayhem, or just to understand. Moral support and all that. Having to do it alone just feels alone.
Anyhow, the kids seem to think that daddy is Captain America Singapore every time he puts on his military gear and they’ve been saluting each other a lot the past week (ok, kind of cute), plus they’re thrilled to be sleeping on my bed all night while daddy is away in camp.
But then they suddenly realise that they miss having daddy around and they’re like “Why can’t daddy come home now? I don’t like daddy to go to the army anymore.”
I know, I miss him too.
On the bright side, the long weekend couldn’t have come at a better time and I’m glad we managed to have the husband back with us for 3 whole days. There was church time, playground time, park time, pool time, ice-cream time and a whole lot of family snuggly time, just the way I like it.
Just one more week of solo parenting to go. Wish me luck!
8 Comments
I hear ya! I solo-parent at least 10-15 days per month, and it’s so darn exhausting. And I only solo-parent ONE CHILD. I can’t imagine solo-parenting THREE! You are super-woman, truly.
Woah, that’s like super mom material! One week doing this and I’m wiped out, I can’t imagine having to do this 10-15 days a month.
The first time I did it — DD was about 8M old — I counted the hours. Honestly, now I just mark the days on my calendar I am NOT solo-parenting. You get it done, ’cause you have to, you know?
I know exactly what you mean! Although the days seem to pass more slowly somehow. Mad props man!
Haizz..mine is coming next week end. Hubby going 20days reservist in taiwan!? I have to face two kids for 20days alone.. Dreading it
Hang in there babe! Think happy thoughts and it’ll be over before you know it – at least that’s what I tell myself.
strange that u had this post coz I just did up mine on a similar topic Cox I was an emotional wreck over the weekend due to news that the hub has to fly on the third week of my delivery. I m one of those whose hub fliez once a mth at least n though his presence doesn’t relieve much in the child caring department, at least there’s one to activate when u need. But having to fly even when there’s a impending birth (I’m in wk 33 n he is in s foreign land) is really tough. plus my support system is a tad weak n I’ve to work. u respect those whose hub travel thus hv to do solo parenting.. I respect u who have 3+1 in the oven! !! That’s really a huge feat too!!
Totally understand where you are coming from. When guys serve reservist, the woman-folk are holding the fort.
Even routine tasks like grocery shopping and child pickup from schools become so much more taxing. Do feedback to Mindef and PR channel.
I have been voicing out about Dads being able to checkin later(maybe 8am) so they are able to ferry kids to school, and staying out evening to spend time with families.
(instead of waiting around in camp :p )
cheers, Andy
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