On My Own.
We officially go back to school today. LilZ has had a summer full of unpaid labor as I’ve made him babysit, paint, move, walk dogs and just about anything else I can think of all summer. For the most part I’ve let him sleep as late as he wanted, save the few times I asked him to just take the dogs out for me while I was at the old house, but mostly he’s been able to sleep a lot this summer. But when he wasn’t sleeping? He was helping me out at every turn starting with painting and moving and ending with painting and babysitting and dogwalking.
I have no idea how I’m going to survive without him.
MrZ has been training for a huge triathlon since April or so. His extra time is very much taken up by this training class and program and it requires he keep a pretty strict sleep schedule. Going to bed early so he can get up at 5 and bike, or 4 and swim or 5 and run. He’s been busy with the move and such too, but his lack of extra free time has put even more work on LilZ’s shoulders this summer. Since MrZ is still training, he can’t really help me out now that my teenage assistant is now busy with school. In other words? I’m screwed.
I sometimes wonder how I ever parented alone. Of course, I wasn’t moving or owning two homes that needed paint and lawncare. I wasn’t walking two dogs three times a day or feeding five people every night. But still – I had one kid, I was working full-time and going to school full-time. I don’t remember us living in filth, but we were rarely home to really destroy the place. Maybe because I was younger but I just can not imagine trying to do all of that again now. Maybe I blocked a lot of it from my memory because the stress was so traumatic. But here I am, married AND with a helpful teenager and I still often think, “OMG. I can’t do it all.” When I don’t even have to. I have two very able-bodied people helping me. Meaning there are single Moms out there imagining punching me in the face every time I complain.
Either way: I’m a wuss and I’m losing my number one helper and my friend who keeps me sane today. Of course, I’m sure you’ll not be surprised at all to know he’s over-the-moon with excitement. I mean, let’s face it, even with having to get up early, his days will still probably be nineteen million times easier. No picking up dog poop in 100° weather, no cleaning baby butts, no painting, no carrying boxes up two flights of stairs…Yeah, I’d take 8am homeroom over that schedule ANY day.
Have fun at school today, LilZ. I wouldn’t have survived the summer without you.
Here in the UK there is like 4 weeks left of the summer hols – then again the schools broke up around the 23rd July so actually it’s still not that long ago.
My friend came to do Camp America for the whole school hols so she’ll be back this week or maybe next I guess. YAY!
W is getting waves/curls just like E’s! They are so precious. I started back to work (in an ISD) last week. I’m still pretty much loving it. Happy Back-to-School Day, E!
Omg.the love in the photo..=D it just brings a smile and is so sweet..=P
What a sweet picture of them! And I cant help thinking that LilZ will make such a good husband/father one day because of all his growing up experiences!
That picture is so sweet!
LilZ is an awesome kid! Thank God I have one just like him or I’d have gone insane already. lol
Have fun at school, LilZ!
Good luck without him, Zoot!
I totally relate to this. Not the moving, painting thing, but my girl starts her sophomore year today as well, and she’s my help and friend as well. I run a home daycare business and have my own younger kids at home, who don’t go back to school until next week. I miss my girl so when she goes back to school, and the summer just went much too quickly. I’m right there with you!
I love that picture, it’s just perfect. Hope all 5 of you have a great academic year.
That picture is breaking my heart a little. I’ve had two weekends in a row of single mothering (my husband is a pilot) and I have gotten ZERO actual work done. Next weekend I’m running away to a friend’s so it can be three adults on six kids instead – and I get to talk to an adult.
I have NO idea how single mothers do it. Congrats for making it to a point where you CAN complain – and raising a kid who helps!
Thought of you guys today – this was our very first official day of school. Finn started Kindergarten! If you ever find yourself with a spare moment I would love to get together with the tiny ones. Eli is 4 and still with me during the day.
I hope LilZ’s first day back was a good one!
Such a sweet photo! Have a great time at school, E, and try to still help Mom out when you can!
OMG! I know how you feel. My kids go back on Wednesday and I don’t know how I’ll survive. I’m going to miss my babysitters.
i LOVE that picture.
I guess you’ll just have to cut back some chores for yourself, lol.
I feel that same way about Mallory too. She starts high school in a couple of weeks, and I’m going to miss her so much!
Yesterday she left early for band camp and then to go to her mom’s house. Within the hour, Christopher was asking for her and declared that he wanted to go to band camp too.
Our little ones are lucky to have such amazing teenagers in their lives!