Solo Mom: What a ride

I recently had my toddler tag along with me to a doctor’s appointment. He was home sick (you know, the standard screwy-weather-ear-infection), and I had a previously scheduled checkup, so off we went.

Having been up half the night with the Sir-Coughs-a-lot (why is it they are fine all day, but cough up both lungs when you want to sleep?!?!?), I likely did not look my best. I know I wasn’t feeling 100 percent awake, and probably mentioned I was tired. The little guy sat quietly, surprisingly well behaved, playing a game, while I spoke to my doctor.

She must have thought he was home with me all the time, because she said, “You know, you might be less fatigued if you put him in day care and took some time for yourself.”

Imagine that.

My son is normally in day care, and his sister is in school. I work full time. The time I have with my kids is precious, and we make the most of it. I have written a previous post about finding time for myself, but the fact remains, those moments are few and far between. I’m not looking for sympathy, and we can debate the pros and cons of day care and working parents vs. those who stay home all day, but I was quite shocked at this suggestion from a doctor.

Perhaps I’d be less fatigued if I wasn’t caring for two young kids on my own, and working full time, and managing a household, and staying in shape, and the countless other things I do.

But hey, as the saying goes: Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, margarita in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming: WOO HOO, WHAT A RIDE!