My husband has been traveling for work constantly a lot, lately. Circumstances demand that he travel hither and yon to clean up messes, put out (figurative) fires, and hold things together. It’s a season, it will pass, and we’ll all survive, I’m sure.
But in the meantime, it’s been a little rough. It would be accurate to say that we’ve all been feeling a bit out of sorts. I try to keep the household running, I attempt to serve something more than chicken nuggets and grilled cheese, I work on resisting the temptation to let all housework completely fall by the wayside (it’s not easy, though, since after all, if Chad’s not coming home, who cares if there are piles of unfolded laundry scattered throughout the bedroom?). And I try to handle all the parenting roles at once — I am chauffeur, tutor, lullaby-singer, boardgame-player, diaper-changer, president of discipline, counselor, wrestler, chief tickler, etc. You get the idea.
But clearly, I am not keeping up on all my roles equally.
The boys and I were playing outside the other night (of course, “playing” for me is equal to pushing L. in his swing continuously while listening to C.’s dreams, plans, and inventions). At one point, I said, “Boy, it’ll sure be nice when Dad gets home tomorrow, won’t it?”
C. agreed with me. L. merely kicked his feet.
Perhaps I was fishing for some affirmation or encouragement when I followed that up with, “After all, Dad’s the fun parent, right?”
C.’s response: “You’ve got that right.”
Hmph. So much for affirmation. Clearly, I’ll have to increase my ratio of wrestling, tickling, and game-playing to lecturing and disciplining if I want to regain my status as “Fun Mom.”
Oh that’s funny. I might be the fun parent, but I’m also the mean parent, so they balance each other out
It is a struggle to prepare “real food” for one adult and one child and not succumb to the temptation of nuggets and grilled cheese–every night. I think you’re entitled to have that half the time without guilt.
I had a favorite saying when my boys were small, which went something like this, “Mommy does all the work and daddy gets all the credit.”
I hope y’all have a great evening with Chad when he gets back. I know single parenting is no fun.
Oh Katrina, I feel for you. It is hard to be a parent alone.
I’m already dreading next August b/c Steve will be away for 5 months and we won’t see him.
I’m praying for you.
It’s funny how kids see each parent differently.
Oh I’ve only been without hubby a few times my whole parenting life. That is hard. I feel for you!
Believe me anyone who can take on all of those roles has got to be fun. Hang in there. Looking forward to seeing you and L. tomorrow at breakfast.
I laughed out loud reading this. It’s my story too. My husband is the hands down favorite with my son, and is even swaying our 8 month old daughter to his camp.
That is a funny statement, and I am glad that you are taking it lightly. You know that if you weren’t the “fun parent” they would be climbing at the walls will your DH was away.
C. is a well-behaved & well-adjusted young boy with a great imagination & I am sure that L. is too. Keep on keeping on K!
–Garr
Candid C., huh? We used to call our gram the “Grand” mother! I think we quickly forgot how much fun our mom was because the fun was sprinkled in and amidst the everyday actitivies . . .
Hang in there! and call me when you’re ready for Quirkle and coffee!
I often accuse my husband of always being the fun parent while I’m the big meanie. Even so, when there is a boo boo to be kissed or other need, I’m the one they run to.
Hello..I’m new to your blog, but have enjoyed lurking around a bit and getting to know you.
I feel for you being along. Been there…many times. When Daddy walks in the door it’s as if a King has arrived….for ALL of us.
Blessings to you
We call it “Disney Dad”.
Let’s pray for each other because I have a travelin’ man, too. Big is in China this week. My battery died today. God is gracious though; it happened at a school where I had help, and of course I had a cell phone. And…I’m home-schooling my oldest child, so it’s okay if lesson plans go amok one day; we can make it up.
Blessings,
Gretchen
Sometimes you just keep on keeping on. The Daddy is the fun parent because he has a wife who does all the yucky stuff so theres time to play when he gets home. I’d be a blast if I had a wife, not that I want to be a Rosie or anything.
Our daddy has been traveling a good bit lately too–are you as worn out as me? It’s exhausting being all things to all the kids!
Oh yeah, I forgot to say that I’m impressed you serve chicken nuggets and grilled cheese when Chad’s gone–for us, it’s cold cereal! (and, for the record, I do NOT feel all that guilty about it–fortified with vitamins, not to mention a serving of milk!)
I tried being fun — it just doesn’t work for me. So I’m sort of proudly the boring parent.
I laugh and joke too easily to be the boring parent but I do discipline! I think I find a good balance.