So they said that this parenting gig gets easier.
While I wouldn’t completely disagree with that, I will vouch that it gets different.
And the levels of intensity that comes with solo parenting – twins in particular – is in a zone that’s out of this world. Out of any sense of normality…or sanity.
Meltdowns at the park is one thing but without barely time to recover (or have a cup of tea) from that particular trauma, the second twin went straight into a tantrum that would rate “The Exorcist” into the Disney channel.
This past week while Mr Surfer’s been away, to keep some of my brain cells in tact, I’ve thrown all rigid routines out the window and followed the beat of improvisation.
Who needs a bed when you have your Mama’s? Every night has been a pyjama party where no one has been going to bed earlier than 10pm. When chips have been served with almost every dinner. Good thing potato is in the major food groups, right?
Luckily a lot of support from friends (who also happen to provide great wine) has helped in this week’s survival.
But there were moments of touch and go…
You can’t fake this stuff.
It is weeks like these you take your hat off to single parents everywhere. Well done, guys. I clap my hands, stamp my feet and sing your praises in the highest order. Truly.
So, how’s your week been? How do you survive solo parenting?
P.S Don’t forget to enter my awesome Christmas Bling Giveaway! Open till 10pm tonight!
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Vodka is how I cope with the solo stuff. Although sometimes I do feel that it is a tiny bit easier when I am doing it solo. Apart from the constant attention needed, at least I only have the two of us to consider. It’s easier to clean the house at 2am because Dyllan won’t sleep when it’s just us and there isn’t someone who needs sleep to go to work the next day. I wholeheartedly enjoy handing over the reigns come the weekend tho!
Tegan recently posted..The numbers don’t matter
I cannot comprehend how single parents do it! I too clap my hands, stamp my feet and sing their praises in the highest order 🙂
Well done for achieving a week alone. I bow down to thee!
Becc recently posted..How to set your Christmas table for under $100
I actually don’t mind the single parent gig … coz I am a control freak and it gives me total control … but I only like it for a few days or a week … then I need the Husband to come home and help … and he’s better at the cooking than I am … plus his salary is a major bonus 😉
I love you Husband!
L
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 1530 – Christmas Gifts
I don’t mind the solo parenting (I do most of it anyway – it’s only the 9pm pick up from one of the activities that causes a problem – with the other 2 already in bed) – I just stop doing the house work so the place turns into a big tip (I clean hygiene issues but if you drop a toy on the floor, it stays there until the night before the return)
What I do miss is the company though. I end up staying up really late watching bad tv because I don’t sleep well without my partner…so I do get very tired…
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..The Audacity of Government
I need to say, knowing it’s only for one or three weeks (that’s my longest) is very different to the full time gig. That’s a whole different kettle of fish. (Wasn’t diminishing their job)
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..The Audacity of Government
Yay for you! I love that pic of you at the end!! I’ve only been a single parent for a few days at a time, so I’m no expert. I try to keep as calm as possible and as you say if routine goes out the window for those few days then that’s okay. I find if I’m calm then the kids are calm. They pick up on my tension immediately. I don’t know how single parents do it either. They are stronger than I!
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..Don’t touch – Dettol giveaway
Well done! Last year I did 9 months of the year solo, and this year 6 months with hubby living overseas. There were days when I seriously didn’t know what to do – but we always found our groove again. It got to the point where solo was the norm and when hubby came home it was a total disaster.
Never did it with twins, though! So hats off to you 🙂
Katie (@mumabytes) recently posted..Raising Children – Toddler Tales
Grace, the times I have to go solo, there is absolutely no routine. I think the mums and dads that go it alone all the time are way awesome!
Looks like the boys had a ball xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..Simplify Your Life
Totally agree! My mum was a single parent and I have no idea how she did it!! 🙂
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..Top 5 Education Posts from 2013
solo parenting its the story of my life that I wouldnt have any other way..six months of hard work = six months of husband home..how do I make it through..the time between them going to bed and the first mum can you take me to the toliet..
xD
Lovely boys Grace. Twin boys are certainly a handful. We threw a party to celebrate out boys living long enough to reach school – they got into so much mischief up until then! It’s nice having them to yourself now and then though isn’t it? 🙂 Unfortunately my kid’s Dad is a deadbeat so they have had mostly me and I think they are turning out okay 🙂
floodproofmum recently posted..Christmas Spirit
I LOVE the last photo! It certainly is tough doing it by yourself. When our youngest was 8 weeks old my husband went to stay with his Dad interstate following heart surgery for a week.. It felt like a very LONG week, but we survived it! My Mum did it on her own for many years, looking back I have no idea how she did it!
Lauren @ Createbakemake recently posted..To my big boy
The pics are priceless. You are hysterical!
It makes such a big difference knowing there’s an end to it, doesn’t it?! I like how you call it a ‘solo parenting gig’ rather than calling yourself a single parent for a while.
P.S. I’ll be back on the weekend to click and read. Crazy day today!
Emily recently posted..Children’s book review – December
Today’s my first day out of bed in 2 days with gastro. My second gastro relapse from the first time just 8 days earlier…on top of the pneumonia recovery…
How single parents cope is beyond me! Especially since this year I have been plagued by serious illnesses. Poor Hubby has had to nurse myself and six kids to recovery (for they too have had gastro – which he then caught also)! I am in awe of him lately as he has somehow managed to cope doing a lot of things on his own while supporting all 7 of us. Not sure if I could cope as well as he did. (Mind you I think the mess left for me to clean while I recover is what sends me straight back to bed)!
I love the photo of you and the boys with the freak out face! That would make a great Christmas card would it not? Really epitomises the Christmas period!
Jody at Six Little Hearts recently posted..Once Upon My Time Books – A Review and Giveaway…
So glad you survived (*singing* “with a little help from your friends”)
I too take my hat off to all solo parents out there!
Kaz @ Melting Moments recently posted..Fly on by Friday – Online Christmas Wishlist
It’s that village we build around us that gets us through, yay for good friends! Fortunately I don’t often have to manage this crew on my own, but sometimes even just the stretch between dinner time and when Daddy gets home seems interminable!
Emma Fahy Davis recently posted..Crazy Sh*t My Kids Say: The School Books Edition
I do the solo parenting thing on a regular basis (oh the joys of having a husband who travels for work!) and it always makes me appreciate the fact that I only have to do it for a couple of nights at a time. Full time single parents out there are truly amazing!!
Kirsten from kirsten and co. recently posted..The Friday Five
Isn’t it just horrific? I’ve only had to do with once or twice and it was extremely horrific! It’s the mental angst of it all, the fact you have to do EVERYTHING! Answer every question, fix every problem – UGH. Love the pic of you on the edge of insanity. Just so you know, I look like that EVERY DAY! Hats off to all single parents alright – thanks for linky lovely! Em xx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Who knew that getting a child’s haircut could be so horrific?
solo parenting is never never easy! Survival mode and tactics I say. x
Tahlia @ the parenting files recently posted..White Chocolate Rocky Road
Having had twin boys myself AND a hubby who travelled away alot with work when they were little – I hear you! I do not know how single parents cope. They have my utmost respect! Have a great weekend Grace! xo
Min recently posted..365 Grateful – Days 321 to 325
Having just done 8 days on my own, I understand how difficult it can be to be solo parenting.
But that moment when hubby cones home; that is just bliss 🙂
EssentiallyJess recently posted..Chocolate Raspberry Chambord Balls
Your photos are so gorgeous Grace. I love the way you capture all the crazy moments of family life, not just the sweet smiling poses. Happy Friday!
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..Review: The Youngs by Jesse Fink
Well done, Grace! Solo parenting is a hard gig, I had 2 weeks of it a couple of months ago but unlike you, I became even more rigid in the routine thing as a coping mechanism. I did come to the same conclusion though, single parents are amazing!
Kate recently posted..Postcards of a QTQF Family Holiday (Part 2)
Yay you! Utmost respect to you and other solo parents who have to do it “full-time”. Hope you have a more relaxing family weekend filled with more love, laughter and pajama parties 😉
Ai Sakura recently posted..StickerKid | Personalised Labels & Stickers {International Giveaway + Promo Code}
My hubby is occasionally ship-in-ship-out the boat version I suppose of fly-in-fly-out and I even now my girls are a lot older (12, 13 & 15) I never get use to it. We’ve never been near family and this time round closes family is 4,000 km away. Last trip I collapsed and really needed to be in hospital but instead, had days in bed where my girls fended for themselves and lived on 2 minute noodles and toast. Feeling like a bad mother just typing that.
Funnily enough, I’m talking about this time last year when hubby was at sea and things went pear shaped on the blog today.
Mystery Case recently posted..Coming up | Conversation Corner | Bullying
Good on you for going easy on yourself and coping! Hats off to single parents indeed.
Oh Grace, I hear ya! My husband is away this week too (I think this is THE week for conferences, from what I can tell). I have been flying solo with a 9 year old, a 3 year old and a 1 year old (who wakes up at 4am every day).
It has been challenging but I have learned a lot about each of them – and myself. And have spent some precious time alone with them which I don’t often get. I made the conscious effort to step away from my phone/computer and really enjoy being with the children and it has been good. We had one Exorcist-style day in the middle and thank goodness my mum came to share the load that day (shame it was also the day of my job interview!).
Carolyn @ Champagne Cartel recently posted..Friday Fizz: bubbles of awesome from the web
It can be so challenging looking after two on your own can’t it? I’ve had nights to look after a new born and toddler while my husband has been away for work and I have wondered the same thing… How do single parents do this alone? You’re an amazing mum Grace and your boys adore you even if they are crazy at times. You certainly appreciate your partner when they go don’t you?
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..How to survive Christmas with the in-laws
I must admit that I don’t really have to ever solo parent and I ADMIRE anyone who does. My sister lives in San Diego with her husband quite regularly away for long stretches in the Navy, she’s amazing for being able to do that…I would not be able to (but probably would if I had no choice).
Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy recently posted..Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles
I hear you. Massive recognition to single parents it is certainly a tough gig. Love you’re photo :). Oh the exhaustion, the patience stretched to its last shred. Hope you get some respite soon enjoy you’re weekend x
Sarah@SnippetsandSpirits recently posted..Time alone together
With hubby just recently gone back to work after being at home to help with the newborn and toddler – I can totally relate! Some days are just so crazy I am so exhausted at the end of the day! Sigh…not a job we can ever resign from but yet again it is also one of the most rewarding job in the world – paid in kisses, love and hugs! 🙂
Winnie @ Bubfriendly recently posted..WaterWipes – The world’s purest baby wipes – A Review
I’m glad you survived the week 🙂 When my hubby goes away for work I make sure I have my survival kit handy – bottle of booze (not fussy, wine, scotch etc) and chocolate, and if one of my fave TV shows is on even better! 🙂 I don’t know how single parents manage it. I applaud them too 🙂
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..Paying It Forward – Homeless Hampers needs your support
My partner does shift work so for 4 days each week I am pretty much a single parent. He works 12 hour shifts and it takes and hour each way to his work and the hours hes home he is asleep. In the beginning it was horrible, but now we have got into a nice routine. We also do a lot of play dates. It’s easy enough for now, but she is only 4 months old, so I imagine it will get worse as she gets older and definitely worse as we have more kids. My answer then – daycare lol.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..Mummy Must Have | Bibska bibs
Well, I’m hoping that the potato in chips is considered a vegetable – it’s often the only one that my stubborn Gilbert gets! Solo parenting is indeed a struggle – I’m grateful that I only have to do it here and there – hats off to those who do it full time…
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..Oh Happy Day
Oh, I don’t know that they have to be twins – two boys together at any age are just a handful! Enjoy your pajama parties and potato chip side dish dinners. When they get older (and stinkier) that stuff becomes a memory.
Nami recently posted..Gathered Here Today
Yeah My hat goes off to those that are single parents full time, not sure how they do it!! I love that moment when David walks through the door and I feel like I can breath easily for the first time that day, have a hot cuppa and have another adult to talk to 😉
Guess you could say that Parenting has a LOT of moments when I have no idea what I am doing, nor a clue if I am doing it right then other moments when everything falls into place.
LOVE you last Pic !! YEP those moments happen here as well, yet you have twice the blessings, twice the kisses and twice the love xx
Lisa Wood recently posted..The Best Gingerbread House Ever
Solo parenting is exhausting. Whenever #1Hubby warns me of an impending work trip, I immediately stock up on wine. And 2 minute noodles and tinned spaghetti. Absolutely love the last pic xx
Parental Parody recently posted..FFS!? Friday : Tan lines
Well done surviving! I struggle the days that Dave works his 12 hour shifts! I don’t think I’d survive a week by myself!
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions recently posted..November 2013 in Pictures
Ooosh I feel for you, I guess having twins makes everything that much harder. I’ve been on my own this past week too husb had all his big work cheeses over so we didn’t see him all week. I’ve only got one to look after but being 39 weeks pregnant did not help! I didn’t so much cope as barely survive! I sooo can’t wait until I can have wine again. X
Rhian @melbs recently posted..The pregnancy experience – OZ vs UK
Well done on getting through the week Grace! From an outsider point of view, your twins are just the cutest!
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