Elyse Mitchell, Author of "Meatballs & Peanut Butter"
by Elyse Rafferty Mitchell, Author of Meatballs and Peanut Butter, * LTD Contributor
There is one thing that I can say, with absolute certainty, about single-parenthood: it is never boring.
I swear, I was just feeling as if I had finally made it through some of the muck and madness of spring flus, a busy period at work, and putting the final touches on our divorce decree, when WHAM! Here it goes again. The seemingly never-ending rollercoaster. The ups and downs in life as I’ve come to know it. And I am trying not to hurl. (We’ve got Strep in the books for my 5yo and my To-Do list seems to be multiplying by the minute.)
I am embarrassed to say that it may have been a month or so since I have written down my thoughts in this Life Thru Divorce. Among the stress and exhaustion, I have been opting for an early bed time or going for a walk. Both have helped to keep me sane, but I have missed this form of therapy, too. The daily journaling of my thoughts and feelings (and wonderful feedback/advice from my peers) as I go from Married to Divorced & Single has been a nice way to organize my emotions. With so many things consistently being stirred around in my mind, it’s nice to have a familiar place to vent.
Speaking of places to vent…on days like today- ones that truly test a parent’s limit of patience and level-headedness – I am reminded about my current lack of marital partnership. When you have someone who’s in it with you, in the thick-and-thin of the day’s drama, you have a teammate to go to for support, an ear, or a shoulder. Someone who personally understands your struggles and who has a stake in the same game.
Sure, my friends and family are there, but not like a spouse. That’s one thing I am missing in single parenthood (which was missing in my marriage, too). I don’t have that partner in the Fight, and most days I still feel like I am fighting the ex-partner.
Which is exhausting in itself.
Speaking of exhaustion…last night was a rough night and I am thinking tonight might be the same. So, I’ll start this bedtime earlier than later and hope for a good night’s sleep for all.
So we can get up and do it all again tomorrow.
