I have had the priviledge to live with one of my closets friends, who is also a single mommie, for the past month. It’s so nice to connect with other single parents and see that my struggles are their struggles, my exhaustion is the same look I see on there face, my attempt to get it all in and still have some me time is the same attempt they are making. Yes, married parents have this too, but it’s like take any of those emotions and shoot it with steroids and that’s what it feels like for single parents sometimes. Sound overly dramatic? Well, perhaps. I mean my mom did call me a drama queen growing up after all. But when you are tired, stressed, confused and did I say exhausted it sure feels dramatic when you have to handle those emotions and deal with a kid at the same time.
She has a 13 year old son. This has been quite a change for me. I haven’t lived with a teenage boy since my brother. It’s amazing how different boys and girls are but I must say it’s been a lot of fun hanging around him. He convinced me to play bloody knuckles with him and my adrenaline junky persona stepped in and said, “Let’s do this.” Only the bloody knuckles of today isn’t the same as when we were growing up so I have learned. They flick quarters at each others knuckles and try to get them to bleed. I took it as training for when I hopefully have a son someday I’m prepared for all of the “boy” games.
My friend also gave me a huge compliment by telling me that it’s been so helpful to her to have someone else in the house who can pay attention to her son because sometimes she feels guilty for not giving him enough attention. What parent hasn’t felt that from time to time? Keeping up with the level of attention she needs too, I also find challenging. Continue reading »