Caring for a child all by yourself is never easy. For families lucky enough to have two parents to share the load, the absence of one partner can feel like a very stark contrast to what you’re used to. But because there will likely come a time when you’ll be required to care for your children on your own, be it because your husband has to go to a work conference or is taking some time to try out their new gun on a hunting trip, it’s good to have a plan in place for when you’ll be solo parenting.
To help you get ready for such a time, here are three tips for solo parenting and caring for your family when your husband is away.
Think Ahead
When your husband is home parenting with you, you can rely on each other to pick up the slack if you forget something or need an extra hand. But when it’s just you solo parenting, you’ve got to think ahead to whatever you might need so that nothing takes you by surprise.
To help you with this, Jennifer Pinarski, a contributor to Today’s Parent, shares that this is especially important with things like meals. One of the best ways to do this is to make meals before you husband leaves and stick them in the freezer. Then, when you’re parenting alone, you can easily throw a healthy meal into the oven on the days that you don’t have the time, energy, or patience to make a meal from scratch.
Stick To Your Routines
Although things are likely going to be a little different when you’re solo parenting, keeping to your routines is going to make your life so much easier. Not only will this help you keep your days running smoothly, but it will also help your kids know what to expect and to be less on edge themselves.
On the other hand, MessyMotherhood.com shares that it can also be helpful to add something fun or special into your days when you are solo parenting. Especially if this makes your life a little easier, there’s nothing wrong with veering from your routines a little.
Don’t Expect Too Much
With your parenting partner being away, there’s going to be far less of your time to go around. And while this can be a hard thing to come to grips with, Lizzie Goodman, a contributor to The Every mom, shares that putting away any of your lofty goals until your husband returns could be your saving grace. By expecting a little less of yourself on these days, you’ll feel less stress and be able to enjoy your solo time with your kids a bit more.
If you’re going to be solo parenting soon while your husband is away for a few days or weeks, consider using the tips mentioned above to help make this time easier on yourself.
