You know those Mums you see on the school run looking haggard, running along, pushing a pram, hair scraped back, not had a chance to shower yet or wash their hair in days?….Well that’s been me recently and whilst I might not usually be a perfectly groomed Yummy Mummy, I’m usually a pretty chilled out and less dishevelled one.

This year Husbands job changed for 8 months but we made the decision not to move so we could keep the girls at their current school and him to come home at weekends. It meant I would be a single Mum Monday to Friday, not ideal but workable. I won’t admit its been easy but generally its actually worked out much better than expected. We had all settled into a lovely routine until recently.

He often gets home on a Wednesday afternoon, sometimes being able to pick Poppy up from School. He enjoys dinner with us and helps with bath and bed. Then he finishes Friday afternoon, meaning we have every weekend together. We see him more days than we don’t so everyone is happy….

…that was until our tenants moved out of a house we own, leaving it in a complete state. On top of being away in the week he has now spent the past two weekends away doing the house up and the girls are feeling it. In fact we all are. They’ve been playing up, been more whingy and I’ve been more grumpy.

I think I do a pretty good job most of the time but recently it has been a struggle. In fact, on occasions I have felt that nothing I do is good enough and have just wanted to curl up cry 🙁

It’s been particularly bad as all the girls have been poorly. Daisy has had whooping cough (despite bring immunised). It is of course worse at night, meaning I’m up with her and not sleeping as well and they’ve all had a bit of a virus. If I’m honest the past few weeks have been a bit of a nightmare really All three girls have really clingy and in need of extra cuddles/ attention and as there is only one of me I’ve felt as though I’ve been pulled in all directions not making any of them happy.

Every morning I have them all up, fed, washed and dressed, ready for school but then I turn my back to get dressed myself and find Daisy naked and scribbling on the walls, Poppy colouring in instead of cleaning her teeth or Rosie trying to watch Peppa pig/ dressing the Moshi monsters in play dough outfits instead of putting her coat and shoes on.

Then there’s doing the school/preschool run 3x daily with a toddler with whooping cough. Obviously I can’t keep all the girls off when they are poorly but there’s no one I can leave Daisy with either. I ended up taking her covered in the rain cover so she couldn’t spread her germs and left her outside Rosies classroom (teacher on door watched her) while I popped in and settled Rosie. There’s quite a few pregnant mums so I didn’t want her near them and just did everything as quickly as possible. It was awful.

Oh and don’t get me started on homework. Poppy has reading everyday, weekly times table (currently 5’s, 2’s & 3’s) and spelling tests as well as regular math goals. This in itself isn’t a problem but add in two other children who are jealous that Poppy is getting my full on attention and it soon is. Both demanding to sit on my knee and getting up to all sorts of mischeif to get me to look or talk to them.

I do the best I can ensuring that they are all well looked after and that they all feel loved and valued. We have a great routine, they all sleep and eat well (when not poorly) and I try to ensure they all get some time alone with me. Daisy has me to herself in the mornings, Rosie for 3 hours Tuesday to Friday afternoons whilst Daisy naps and Poppy has some time after school and then once the younger ones are in bed. I usually read her an extra story and have a chat on her bed. Sometimes it feels as though whatever I do isn’t enough though…they want more!!

So how do single parents do this day in and day out? At least I know for us it’s not forever. I also have my parents close by who are a huge help. I have a new respect for those that have to do it alone and will never again judge another Mum for looking dishevelled, stressed out and harassed. After all, being a Mum is the hardest Job I’ve ever done and doing it without any help is worse.

It has definitely made me appreciate my hands on husband even more.

 

Karen x