Lifesaver

On an airplane, they always tell you to put your oxygen mask on first and then your child’s. It’s counterintuitive since as parents we spend our lives caring for our children first and foremost. The thought that the parents’ oxygen is the priority over the child’s is hard to accept.

Today I have been feeling under the weather. When I first started my stay at home job, I knew the day would come where I would feel less than best and still have to put the care of my children above my own care. I went through all the Monday morning steps to get them up and going, while feeling really bad.

Fortunately, Drew had camp and I was able to bring Gabby over to my step dad to watch while I slept. There will, however, come a day where I don’t have the option. I’m sure I will find ways to make caring for them easier (television shows, playing in an enclosed room, etc) but ultimately I will have to get over whatever is ailing me to make sure all their needs are tended to.

One of the feelings that initially bothered me about our new setup was that I am the sole adult responsible for the welfare of these children. Not that having my husband around gave me a license to not be responsible for them, but it allows for me to share the burden. It’s a scary feeling to know that everything is on your shoulders.

For that reason, I solute every single parent. To be a parent is frequently a grueling, exhausting, and heart-wrenching role. To do it by yourself must be the hardest thing imaginable. I’m not sure words could ever articulate how much respect I have for someone that does it by themselves, nor do I think I could ever really understand the challenges they are up against.

For today, and most days, I have a network of people to help and support me through the challenges. I’m blessed that I’m really never doing this by myself, although some days being a stay at home can seem rather isolating. I successfully put the proverbial oxygen mask on my kids this time, but what happens if I am actually unable some time? I guess that’s when I call in for reinforcements!