A week on my own? I pictured it so differently! – Mummascribbles

When I found out that the other half would be away for a whole week in Texas, the first thought that went through my head was that I don’t know how I’ll sleep properly if he’s not there, the second thought was that whilst I would obviously miss him, it would mean a whole week of evenings by myself to get lots of blogging done. I could see myself putting Zach to bed and having the whole evening to myself.

How wrong could I be?

First up, Zach has decided this week that he doesn’t want to go to bed. On Monday he didn’t fall asleep until 8.30. On Tuesday is was 7.45 which is the best so far! On Wednesday, well, he fell asleep five minutes before we got home and was not happy to be woken up. I took him straight up to bed where I had to wrestle him out of his jumper while he was screaming! He then woke up so much he wanted a story so I read one and then said it was time to go to sleep. 40 minutes later he finally nodded off after rolling around and huffing and puffing continuously. It was 8pm.

Of course, at the point of him falling asleep, I sneak downstairs and it’s time to cook dinner. Last night, I had to do the Tesco online shop too. So each night, by the time I have cooked and eaten dinner it’s 9pm and you know what? I am too tired to even think about blogging! So I watch a bit of tv, respond to a few comments and then toddle off to bed. Because I know that if Zach wakes up, there is only me to have to get up and deal with him.

This week I am absolutely exhausted. On top of getting him home and to bed, I have to also get us out of the house and to nannie’s/nursery/work. I have actually done surprisingly well although I think it helps that it’s half term and the roads are much quieter! I can’t tell you how crap I feel when that 5.45 alarm goes off though. Sneaking downstairs so I can shower in peace (that hasn’t always worked!) and hoping that he will stay asleep until I’ve had my cup of tea (that hasn’t worked either!).  I just can’t believe how tiring it is to be the sole parent and a full time worker. I know that there are people out there who do this all the time and you know what, I bow down to you!

To know that my other half is getting a flight home on Friday and will be walking through the door around lunchtime on Saturday is such a relief. We are both missing him lots and every morning (and sometimes in the middle of the night), Zach says to me, is daddy home yet? And he is so disappointed when I say no. This is the first time daddy has ever been away. Mummy has been away lots for work but never daddy. He has always been there, he has been the constant. And I genuinely think that’s why this week has been a nightmare to get him to bed. I think that maybe he is laying there hoping to hear daddy’s key in the front door.

The only sucky thing is that he’s home for a week and then buggering back off to Texas again. I have to do this all over again for a whole other week! At least I won’t be expecting to write loads of amazing blog posts, In fact, I might just go to bed at nine each night!