Linking up with This Ain't the Lyceum for 7 Quick Takes.
Today is the last day of the longest stent of solo parenting I have had to do to date (yea!!) The past two weeks have been testing, clarifying, and surprisingly fruitful. Here are some things I was immensely grateful for during this trip.
1
Crockpots
I learned a few trips ago that continuing to eat our regular style of meal, even when I'm the only pair of hands for the shopping, prep, cooking, and clean up, makes me feel loads better.
But I'm still only one person, so the crockpot has been amazing!
And I'm talking easy, toss it in, crockpot meal. None of this browning, saute, do-75%-of-the-recipe-before-it-goes-in-the-crockpot business. Top winners have been Rosemary Garlic Chicken and Pho.
2
Movie Nights
By that token, having a movie night series post dinner has been great! Since there is normally only an hour or less until bath time once dinner is over, it takes us a 2-3 nights to finish a movie.
We're on a musicals and British children's movie kick. Meet Me in St. Louis and The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep. Have been big hits.
3
Blog Community
When my husband is traveling it can feel like I haven't had a real conversation with anyone all day. Thanks to my ladies of Everyday Ediths and Young & Wild Catholic Mamas who have been great for encouragement, prayers, and interaction!
Also a huge thank you to Allison Gingras for having me on A Seeking Heart radio show last week! It was lovely chatting with you! If you missed the show, you can listen to it here.
4
Self-care Strategies
Not every day is sunshine and roses, and it gets hard when you realize that it's just you on deck. I have taken advantage of all of these self-care strategies this past week, and they have made all the difference for me!
5
Babysitters Who Got This
We were able to set up sitters for the Mondays and Fridays of this trip so I would be able to have one night at the Ballet studio and one leading the Endow group and Adoration at our parish. It was so nice to have that time and know my kids were going to be fine.
6
Prayer
I lean heavily on prayer, especially the rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours, when Matt is traveling. My greatest struggle with prayer is just starting. I like to say the Office of the Readings and Morning Prayer together after breakfast, Evening Prayer after putting the kids down, and Night Prayer before bed. Those time triggers make all the difference for making my prayer time happen!
I have heard a few priests refer to the rosary as "Mary's Rocking Chair". and I totally get it now. No matter how stressed or overwhelmed I get, saying the rosary is like climbing onto your moms lap and just being held for a while.
7
Speaking of rosaries, I have a giveaway for you all!
In celebration of this little blog getting to 200 Facebook page likes. I'm giving away a pocket rosary from Rosaries by Allison! Thanks for visiting this little corner of internet and being awesome everybody!
Yay for being on the downward slope of solo-parenting!! This looks like such a great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBabysitters/mother's helpers were my saving grace my husband's last deployment. And, I fully plan to enlist the help of more if my husband deploys again anytime soon... they allowed me to nap (biggie for me), run, get laundry done without little hands helping, pray, or just have a shower alone! So, I can appreciate the shout-out to your twice a week babysitter - definitely something needed when solo-parenting.
I actually found myself saying "yup" to most of this article. Thank you for sharing your insights... they may be beneficial to review the next time I have to solo-parent!
The help is so important! It is mentally exhausting to be "on" 24/7.
DeleteWe have at least one more week long trip to go before the move, and another shorter one once we're there, but then he should be going down to almost no travel. At least not without us tagging along anyway. We have a pretty epic summer planned!
My hat is off to you, dear! So glad you are rocking this thing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on solo-parenting! That's so impressive that you made it through such a long stretch. I love that way of referring to the Rosary! That's so perfect and comforting :)
ReplyDeleteI love the "Mary's rocking chair"comparison for the rosary! What comfort we gain from praying with our Mamma!
ReplyDelete