mothering......

Being a mother is hard work. I really don't believe that being a single mother is that much hard than a mother in a two parent home. They both come with different difficult "aspects" with very rewarding results. I think what is the most difficult is getting some sort of routine started and sticking to it. Be it for chores, bed time, cooking or for everything. I find that I feel most overwhelmed when my living room is a mess and I have dishes that need to be washed. I've been staying consistent with getting my older two to help tidy the living room. They are finally getting the point because I've been throwing toys out that are being left around. I'm hoping that soon I will have to be repeating myself over and over again.

That being said I do have a few things that I cannot stand that people say-

"Oh, well I'm going to be a single parent for the weekend"- no, you are just being the same parent you always are. Your spouse will be back Sunday night. It is no where close to what being a single parent is like.

"Your house should be spotless since you are home all day" - right! I have a 3 year old and an almost 1 year old you are constantly into things. I do my best to keep it as clean as possible but Mondays and Wednesday are crazy at my place that I'm lucky that I get to school on time.

"Wow, you have your hands full"- yes, but I wouldn't change it!

"You are still nursing?- I didn't know it was any of your business when I choose to wean my child.

Yes, I know I more than likely contradicted myself. I will attempt to explain myself. As a single mother I do all the same things mothers do that have a spouse. But at the end of the day I  do not have that other person. I do not have the second pair of hands that can wipe Sofie's bum while helping Keeghan with his homework. There is just me. Yes a mother's work is never done but stating you are a single parent for any length of time drives me batty because you have someone there. But then I feel upset with myself because I know not everyone has a partner that helps out. They feel they only have to work. So I really should get over my anger over those kinds of statements.  I'm pretty sure I just talked myself in a big circle.