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a question for SP who WFT if you don't mind...

cg0112358cg0112358 member
in Single Parents

I am not a single parent but I do believe that all of you that are single parents are among the most amazing people in the world. I cannot even begin to imagine all that you give and sacrifice....

I am hoping that some of you would be willing to offer me some advice. My DH just started a new job that will require him to be away from home for long periods (between 2-10 weeks at a time).  I am in no way trying to relate my experience to yours but I am hoping that some of you might be willing to offer any advice you have on how you ready a toddler for DC while getting prepared for work as well, preparing dinner/doing dishes while entertaining your child, etc.

Honestly, any tips you have to offer would be greatly appreciated. 

DS1: 8/3/10, DD1: 8/17/13, DD2: 8/13/15
Twins lost to due to partial molar pregnancy: September 2011 
~~PAL, PgAL Always Welcome~~
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Re: a question for SP who WFT if you don't mind...

  • r9stedtr9stedt
    Organize, organize, organize.  

    I cook ahead.  Freeze meals.  Use my crock pot.

    Let the house go a little bit.

    Have L color at the table (in the kitchen) while I cook.

    Give him a bath while I blow dry my hair.




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  • PrincessFiona9PrincessFiona9 member

    I get up at 5 and get ready for work then get DD up at 6. We leave as soon as she's dressed and ready for daycare.

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  • christine_mariechristine_marie member

    At night I set everything out I will need for the next day, like clothes and pack lunches. I get up and get myself ready and let DS sleep until I'm completely ready. I go wake him up and get him dressed and shoes and coat on all while he is still in bed. We go right from his room to the car. He gets breakfast at daycare. If he wake up before I'm ready I will give him some cereal to keep him busy.

    At night I try and give him toys but sometimes that just doesn't work and i either wait until he goes to bed, or just do the best I can for that day with clean up.

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  • FyreFlyeRushFyreFlyeRush member
    You just do it. There's no other choice. I had a strict bedtime of 8:00 for DD whn she was little. I bathed, braided hair, laid out clothes and made lunch the night before. In the mornings, I was the only person who needed to get cleaned up. I cleaned one room a night, and did dishes every night before bed. Doesn't mean there aren't days of chaos. Doesn't mean you dont have days where you forget everything and have to make 10 trips back home. But, when you're a single parent, or have an SO with a complicated schedule, you just do it. 
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  • septmom11septmom11 member
    once LO is asleep for the night i pack everything i need for work/she needs for daycare.  I pick out both of our outfits the night before as well.  I get up and get myself dressed and ready before LO wakes up.
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  • PrettyInPearls23PrettyInPearls23 member

    Get into a schedule and routine and stick to it!

    Every morning I'm up at 5:45 so I can be completely ready for work before I wake up DS at 7:00. Sometimes he wakes a little early, and I just let him play with his 'babies' in his crib or he'll 'read' a book. We're out the door by 7:25.

    In the evenings, I'll have DS color in the kitchen while I get dinner ready -- and I try to pack his lunch the next day while I'm getting dinner cooked. After dinner, everything waits so I can have quality time with DS. We'll play, color, read books, whatever. Bath time is at 6:45 or 7:00, and he's in bed by 7:15 at the latest. After he's in bed, that's when I do the dishes, finish packing lunches, clean, pick out outfits for the next day, etc.

    Don't try to do everything at once. It's impossible and it'll stress you out. It might seem overwhemling at first, but you'll get into a routine and it'll all work out.

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  • katie_cjkatie_cj member

    I organize meals on week-ends as much as possible. I do all grocery shopping on week-ends as well. I eat leftovers at least twice a week. I find if I know what we are eating for supper, then I'm ahead of the game and I don't have to waste time stopping after work for ingredients.

    Jake goes to bed at 7pm. I spend the next hour getting ready for the next day, tidying up, and getting stuff done. At 8pm, I stop and relax.

    I get up 45 minutes before Jake. That gives me time to shower, eat and get ready while he's still asleep. I wake Jake up, change him, dress him, then leave. He eats breakfast at daycare (I bring it, either muffins or bagel with cream cheese.)

    Basically, the best trick is to be organized.

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  • cg0112358cg0112358 member
    Thanks for all the input ladies! I really appreciate your thoughts and tips.
    DS1: 8/3/10, DD1: 8/17/13, DD2: 8/13/15
    Twins lost to due to partial molar pregnancy: September 2011 
    ~~PAL, PgAL Always Welcome~~
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