Sometimes I think singleparenthood would not be too bad. Not that I don't love my husband. I love him very much. He just adds a more complex layer in everything. He is that other person in the household on whom I may depend. Or at least, that is what I assumed before children.
The other morning, I ran outside while husband and son slept. If I do not run while they are sleeping, I will not have another chance all day. It is rare that I have the opportunity to run outside during the week. Usually, husband is up and at work by 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. That leaves me with the treadmill. The rare opportunities I have to run outside during the week are treasured.
I came home to son in the bathtub, husband ready for work, and nothing having been done. No breakfast, no clothes set out for son to wear, no beds made. It was time for me to jump in the shower or the entire morning routine and timing would be off. I had to wrestle son out of tub, dry him off, cajole him into clothes, have him eat breakfast. This took at least 20 minutes, in addition to the time to make the beds. Then I showered. I am ready in roughly 25 minutes. Then, I have to brush son's teeth for him to ensure that they are thoroughly clean, doctor the wart on his foot, put his socks and shoes on. Now we are off.
What happens if I don't make the beds? I have to make them at night. I cannot sleep in an unmade bed.
What happens of son's teeth are not brushed? I have recently discovered he has two cavities. So it is not an option to forego this part of the routine.
What happens if son's foot is not doctored? His wart remains and it will take even longer to cure.
What happens if son doesn't eat? He will find cookies, husband's Cadbury Cream Eggs, marshmallows to eat. He will attempt to make chocolate milk himself. I would have to clean up.
Sometimes I wonder if I stopped doing these things, who would fill the vacuum? Would husband start? He has no idea this occurs in the mornings. Would son start doing these? He is not yet ready for all of the responsibility, but is willing to help make his bed and brush his teeth. But the distractions! While in his room, he will decide to start playing something.
What if nobody did them? Would we survive? What would happen? Should I stop one morning and see what the result is? Would I become accustomed to sleeping in an unmade bed? Would husband begin doing things that I normally do? Would son begin making wise breakfast choices? Would he resist the temptations?
I am not ready to discover the answers. I am close, however.
The other morning, I ran outside while husband and son slept. If I do not run while they are sleeping, I will not have another chance all day. It is rare that I have the opportunity to run outside during the week. Usually, husband is up and at work by 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. That leaves me with the treadmill. The rare opportunities I have to run outside during the week are treasured.
I came home to son in the bathtub, husband ready for work, and nothing having been done. No breakfast, no clothes set out for son to wear, no beds made. It was time for me to jump in the shower or the entire morning routine and timing would be off. I had to wrestle son out of tub, dry him off, cajole him into clothes, have him eat breakfast. This took at least 20 minutes, in addition to the time to make the beds. Then I showered. I am ready in roughly 25 minutes. Then, I have to brush son's teeth for him to ensure that they are thoroughly clean, doctor the wart on his foot, put his socks and shoes on. Now we are off.
What happens if I don't make the beds? I have to make them at night. I cannot sleep in an unmade bed.
What happens of son's teeth are not brushed? I have recently discovered he has two cavities. So it is not an option to forego this part of the routine.
What happens if son's foot is not doctored? His wart remains and it will take even longer to cure.
What happens if son doesn't eat? He will find cookies, husband's Cadbury Cream Eggs, marshmallows to eat. He will attempt to make chocolate milk himself. I would have to clean up.
Sometimes I wonder if I stopped doing these things, who would fill the vacuum? Would husband start? He has no idea this occurs in the mornings. Would son start doing these? He is not yet ready for all of the responsibility, but is willing to help make his bed and brush his teeth. But the distractions! While in his room, he will decide to start playing something.
What if nobody did them? Would we survive? What would happen? Should I stop one morning and see what the result is? Would I become accustomed to sleeping in an unmade bed? Would husband begin doing things that I normally do? Would son begin making wise breakfast choices? Would he resist the temptations?
I am not ready to discover the answers. I am close, however.
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