What is your biggest challenge?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2004
What is your biggest challenge?
13
Tue, 05-09-2006 - 1:34pm

My biggest challenge is being a single parent. It makes taking care of my boys a challenge because of the younger one being as he is.

The fact the father of my sons denies there is anything wrong with Devon doesn't help matters, either.

~ Darla

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2005
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 6:51am

My biggest challenge is wondering whether I am doing the right thing for my kids. My 8 year old (AS) has just started part-time public school after homeschooling. We will likely send him full time in the fall because the part-time commute is grueling (my other 2 kids are at another school 30 minutes away.) I just wish I knew what was right for him. Dh and I are also in a frustrating debate about what school to send my NT 5 year old to next year both of us are sure we are right.....

And, of course, finding time for everything and everyone..... I have three kids and my oldest AS has always needed so much help that it feels like he is a twin to his younger brother since they are often on the same "level" as far as self help skills.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-19-2005
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 8:44am

My biggest challenges are also patience and staying calm. I am very emotional and emoting around Eric is never a good thing. Perimenopause doesn't help, but thanks to the miracle of hormone therapy (I know the down side, but I'm youngish and this is short term) I am calmer, can finally sleep, and therfore be more even tempered. Still it is a challenge.

The other is time for myself, or anything else other than Eric. Even though I am SAHM, there is never enough time. I don't know how you single moms do it and you are my heros! I get up at 6 just to have time to shower and eat breakfast in peace and hang out here a little. Then it's the morning drill, drive to therapy, go to therapy, then lunch, then drive to Pre-K. My only time alone is the 3 hrs. DS is in school. That's enough time to go to the grocery, or workout, or clean the house but not all three. Then after school give DS some physical activity (pool, playground), bath, bed, dinner, yada. Then I go to bed too.

DH works at night, so we are like ships passing. But weekends are good for all of us. I live for them!

I really need to work on balance, time for me and time for DH. He's a rock, don't know what I'd do without him. I am lucky that way.

Katherine

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Thu, 05-11-2006 - 8:47pm

I have had to think about this awhile. I guess my biggest challenge is that I want to be able to accomplish SO much more than is possible. I do try to take little breaks for myself, even socialize very occasionally. I want to finish decorating my apt. where we have lived for more than 7 years. I want to re-open my acting sompany, do more producing theatre. I want to write down the stories of raising Malcolm, finish the musical I've been working on with a wonderful creative team for years. I want to go back to singing, performing. I even just want a full day off to myself.

And all I can manage, after the 8 million things I need to do for Malcolm and working many hours teaching and training to earn the money we need for all the things we do for Malcolm, and picking up the house (minimally) and feeding us ... is a box or 2 of donations --- getting the "stuff" out of my house --- every 3 or 4 weeks. I just feel like I am spinning wheels, excwpt of course for raising Malcolm. Which takes everything I have and he is doing so well. And this makes me so happy.

I also am so lucky to not be alone in this, as my dh works just as hard and long as I do, is as involved with raising Malcolm as I am (but in a different way, very cool). And still there are nowhere near enough hours in the day.

Sigh.

Sara
ilovemalcolm

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