Hellobee Boards

My husband was gone for a weekend just a few weeks ago. I bought a bunch of meat and made up a bunch of food so I could just heat it up. I also made a lot of plans to get out of the house (so friends and park etc). Unfortunately, my LO ended up getting sick that weekend so we spent one day at home on the couch watching cartoons.

I didn't do any cleaning (except trying to keep the food mess down). I'm not even sure I fed the dogs every day but they survived.

I eat paleo and solo parent 21 days at a time while my DH works offshore. I basically eat super simple stuff and sadly, not a lot of variety! I just throw a meat/fish in the oven w/coc oil and seasoning and throw a veggie, usually brocolli, on the steamer on our stove. I dont really eat for taste while I solo parent! I mean, what I eat tastes good but there's not a lot to it. I also boil a bunch of eggs and keep those in the fridge for snacks...Also bananas & almond butter. So I'm not very original, but the easier the better when you dont have any help.

Also- wine:). After I finally get her down at night, it's MY time and I pretty much unwind w a nice glass or two of wine every night. I'm not ashamed to admit that bc day in, day out, solo parenting makes me go hard- all day, every day.

I love DH and am so happy and grateful when he's home, but the pro to solo parenting that maybe only some appreciate (I do!) is getting a tiny bit of time totally to yourself each day, without having to worry about DH's needs too. That sounds really mean, but when he's home, after she goes to sleep, it's time to devote my attention to him. And I enjoy it when he's home, but I definitely also savor my solo parent alone-time also:). I can focus on ME and just veg out. I suppose I'm just really used to his schedule so I've learned to make the best of it:)

Meal plan and take care of yourself first. I know I can handle anything if I am well. It doesn't matter if the kids are sick. If I'm sick, forget it. I pop in some Vit C every day. And good luck with your mom!

Food is definitely the hardest. Maybe think ahead about some drive through a nearby. I'll go to Starbucks drive through as a treat when hrh's sleeping in the car. And definitely don't be afraid to call some friends for a little help! I've never gone more than two days at a time. Usually it's fine, but every once in awhile he has a bad day and then I'm beyond exhausted.

I've never had to do it for that long, but keeping busy is what always keeps me sane. Getting out of the house makes the hours go by much faster. And food, that's always the part that sucks. I just try to keep things as simple as possible.