A Mommy Story

Single parents – I applaud you.

Seriously, how do you do it? What uppers are you taking to have enough energy? What deal did you make with the devil to have the ability to juggle it all? How can you keep it all together?

I’ve spent this past week as a temporary single mom, with several more weeks of part-time single mom-dom ahead of me. Tonight is opening night for the play that Aaron is directing as part of the Columbus Fringe Festival, so this past week has been spent in technical and dress rehearsals after he leaves work. As soon as this show is finished, he’ll be spending 3-4 nights a week in Cincinnati for stage combat classes.

This has left me both dropping Cordy off with family and picking her up after work. Aaron still gets up with her in the morning so they can have some time together, but instead of the daddy-daughter bedtime routine, she has to deal with only me.

The house is a wreck. Cordy is a wreck. I’m a wreck. At this moment I should be mopping the kitchen floor where there was a juice spill this morning. I don’t have the energy. Cordy has been acting strange the past few days, too: not eating much, sobbing uncontrollably when I leave her alone, and protesting bedtime. I think it’s partially because she misses her daddy.

I’m in no way blaming Aaron. Theatre is what he wants to do for his career, and he keeps the day job to keep us afloat financially. I encourage him to keep working in theatre, and I hope someday he’ll be able to drop the day job. But until then, we’re simply going to have to deal with some difficult situations, and times when we can’t do all we want to. It’s a small price to pay in order for him to find happiness in his career.

So for now the house will remain a mess, the checkbook unbalanced, and I will simply try to keep up with what needs to be done.

One more thing: tomorrow Aaron has a second interview for a job with the state. The job is a more interesting position, offers the chance to stretch his creative skills, and best of all, pays so much more than his current one. It would make life much easier for us. (Just so you know, I’m not talking about Lexus-driving, hired help, designer handbag easier. More like not living paycheck-to-paycheck, maybe buying a new used car, paying off the credit cards easier.)

Please send any positive thoughts you can spare our way in the hopes that the interview will lead to a job offer.