My two charges for the week
Caiden:  9
Selah:  11

This past week of being a single mom has, once again, made me appreciate all you parents out there.  As much as I enjoyed being with those two great girls, I was so ready to get back to my easy single life where all I have to worry about is taking care of myself and making sure my cats have enough food and water and that the poop is removed from their box. 

I am pretty good at getting myself to places on time.  Occasionally, I have been known to push the snooze one too many times, but that isn’t very often.  However, throw two little girls in the mix and my schedule goes kaput.  Even though these girls are fairly independent they still need little nudges to get out the door.
The first morning I went to check on them and realized they had slept through their alarm.  The second morning I found the youngest snoring away while the older one had gone back to bed after her shower, still wrapped in the towel.  Morning three, with a little help from a bribe of a McDonald’s breakfast, we made it to school on time.
Homework is a tough one for me.  If they have math questions they know to not even bother asking me.  And that’s quite embarrassing considering they are still in elementary school.  One evening, during our dinner break between school and dance class, our Red Robin waitress even got in on the homework fun.  She used her phone to look up an answer for us…which reminded me I have Internet on my phone too, so I took it from there.
And, believe it or not, I even suggested a sleepover.  I gave a midnight deadline for quiet; they didn’t have to sleep but they had to be quiet.  I’m used to absolute silence, and if I’m awakened I can’t go back to sleep.  I only hollered a few times from my bed, “I can HEAR you,” when I realized I should probably just close my door.
During school, on my last day with them, I got word their parents may be delayed a day or two because of flight complications.  My body temperature rose a bit at the news.  I sent out requests to several friends to please, please, please pray that they GET ON THAT PLANE!  They did.  Yea prayer!!
Soon after arriving back in my own home after eight days of fill-in-mommy-hood, I had a “Calgon, Take Me Away” moment.  It was just like the commercial.  I submerged myself under the water and all the responsibilities of the last week washed away.  It was wonderful.
And that was after only eight days.  Parents do it 24-7!  I am really spoiled.  And I am also really okay with that.
So, here’s to all you moms out there; you deserve more than just one day a year to be honored.  Every day should be Mother’s Day!
Question:  I’m a bubble bath gal.  How do you stay sane with a busy schedule?