Wednesday, June 6

Sick and Single

As I found myself at a counter ordering food Monday night at the peek of my vacation illness. Head pounding, ears aching, throat aflame,I barely had the strength to order potsickers and white rice. All I wanted was to go home, get in bed, take more drugs, but instead I had to drive out to get food for the boy and ordering sounded so much better than cooking and dirty dishes.
So there I stood.
Trying not to breathe in the general direction of the kitchen.
Waiting then for the kids precious Thai treats.
When I over hear three women out for a bite and girl talk just bashing their husbands as though it were a competition, "Who has the worst husband?"
Sure I was listening, but it's a small place.
No, really it is.
And they were loud with their competitive complaining.

"He doesn't even change the diapers right."
"He didn't even buy the tickets yet."
"He let Emily wear pink tights and a brown skirt."

I just sat there thinking, you don't even know how lucky you are.
It's when I am sick that I feel the "single mom syndrome" the most.
Sure there are perks to being single, like doing things my way all the time and never having to compromise. Or never having to put up with man crap like toilet seats up and inappropriate scratching.
But it is always only me.
Especially hard when you are sick because regardless, you are on duty.
No matter how sick you are, you will still have to feed a child, drive to school, do homework.
Nothing like trying 5th grade geometry while your head is thumping with a jungle beat.

The worst was when my little guy was younger and god forbid I would get a stomach flu... Diapers and nausea just don't mix let me tell ya.
Now that he is older, it is a little easier.
And for about 3 minutes on Monday he wanted to take care of me, which was cute.
But regardless of how sick I felt, I couldn't go to bed at 7p like I wanted.
Still had to drive my sorry butt out to that Thai restaurant for potstickers.

Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom, don't really mind being a single mom most days, but sometimes, especially when I am sick, I feel being single so much stronger.
And most days I hear wives complaining about silly things like that, I just shake my head and think, "you are so lucky just to have somebody to take out the garbage".

10 comments:

Nancy said...

I don't honestly know how single Moms do it! It's tough enough just being a Mom with a Dad in the picture... hugs to you!

Unknown said...

Good for you! I could NEVER (I shouldn't say never because if I was faced with it I could and I would) be able to take care of a child on my own. My son's dad gets home at 3:30 and I am ready for a 5 minute break and my son is only 11-months-old.. lol.. Good for you for being such a good mom. And I think we all feel like you do but when you have someone you think about how lucky the people are that are single. :) It just works that way....

Crafty Connie said...

How sweet that Max wanted to take care of you. Hope you are on the road to recovery soon.

YouInkIt said...

Thank you for putting things into perspective. I'm not a Mom yet, but I am recently married and I often get upset when he doesn't do things quite right. I need to remember how lucky I am to just have a partner that I can count on to help out. Thank you for the friendly reminder.

blah said...

Girl, I hear ya! I was a single mom for a little bit and it's so much easier with help! dh isn't always perfect but honestly, I know how easy I've got it and he's pretty darn perfect for me so I don't get into the bitchfests about what he doesn't do since I've done it alone and appreciate each and every thing he does.

Hang in there and feel better soon.

Melissa said...

I have a new appreciation for single mom's since reading your post. While I don't have kids, I Do have a husband that I sometimes take for granted. Thank you for sharing your heart and opening my eyes! Take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon!

Katie Skiff said...

I'm so sorry you are so sick!! I hope you can rest...but I understand with work! Ugh

I do feel lucky that my Dh will help out...and if he is doing something I do not complain, like the gasl you said! They should've been talking to their hubbies about it instead of complaining!

Get better soon so we can see some more great creations!

Kristi @ Mi Vida Ocupada said...

I honestly can't imagine. I give you a ton of credit for being such a good single mom!

Kristina Lewis said...

You are amazing! I didn't realize you are a single mom. I can't imagine how you do it. I struggle raising kids and my husband helps. Look at what a wonderful mom you are, how much you are admired by all of us, you go girl!!

Elizabeth Royalty said...

You are so right on about this! I am lucky enough to have a very good hubby/dad, and it drives me crazy when I hear this kind of hubby-bashing! I'm just so amazed that these kind of women are so clueless as to what other people have to deal with... You are really an inspiration - as a mom, as a person, as a crafter and as a blogger! Thanks for a little insight... and a reminder to appreciate our lives as we know and live them.

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