An Ode to all the Single Ladies
I am sitting at LAX, a sleeping child strapped to my chest, typing a blog post with one hand (the other is bloody from the umbrella stroller I have not yet learned to operate and am now terrified of closing).
This is not where I’m supposed to be right now.
I’m supposed to be on a plane, on my way to D.C. for a relaxing evening with Sister and Niece H. before our big international departure tomorrow afternoon. But thanks to an INSANELY CROWDED airport, hour long lines, and a computer system that won’t let you check bags in FOUR MINUTES after the 45 minute cut-off, I am here instead. Waiting for a flight that won’t take off for four hours, wondering HOW ON EARTH single parents do it.
Juggling a baby, a stroller, and two carry-ons (yes, I know, that was my first mistake, but I needed one for baby and one for book), is hard enough when you have four hands. It’s exponentially more difficult with only two.
So, in this moment, as I am doing my very best to embrace this unexpected and wholly unwelcome detour, I want to give a shout out to all the single ladies (and men) out there who do this on a regular basis (including you, Sis). I don’t know how you do it. And by “it,” I mean pee. No, seriously. I’m asking.
Erica@PinesLakeRedhead
Friday, 9 July, 2010 at 7:09Traveling alone with an infant was never my favorite thing to do. Peeing was the hardest part. Usually, a kind soul would help carry something through in the airport but in the ladies room you’re on your own.
Safe travels!
Hope Kidd
Thursday, 8 July, 2010 at 18:40P.S. Peeing in private sans children is over-rated
Hope Kidd
Thursday, 8 July, 2010 at 18:40I don’t know how they do it either. A shout out to them, indeed!
erin
Wednesday, 7 July, 2010 at 4:14I had to comment on this. I recently got married. Or Re-Married . I have thought alot about what a difference it has made. I have been a single mom for ten years. Three boys, working full time. juggleing their activities, and trying to manage bills, house etc.. and keep my own hobbies.
Never did it cross my mind that being married would make that much of a differnce with the juggling act of single mom life. For once,I do not have to worry about every single little thing all by my self. My husband assumed responsibility the moment we said I DO .I never minded it really in the past, But am so greatfull now that I can enrich my worries on really inportant stuff like nuturing my children with more love and time. I thank God for the present and greatful for the past that he gave me the strength to cope. It is hard.
Erin
Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist
Tuesday, 6 July, 2010 at 6:27Oh man. Have you made it yet? I hope you guys are okay.
And yeah, I have no idea how single parents do it. My mother was a single mom who had THREE kids under the age of four. Nuts!
Amber
Monday, 5 July, 2010 at 14:42Oh my how I laughed while reading this.
I used to take my little girl to school with me and there were many times that I wheeled her stroller into the handicap stall. I did not feel guilty.
Megan
Sunday, 4 July, 2010 at 22:00Nanny being one of my many titles, I often wonder how single parents “do it” — all of it! I have a family of five I watch (along with a host of other families I have cared for from college until now…)and I am often glad to leave at the end of the day without any children hanging off of me! Hope you were able to pee and get a flight out!
PS…I believe you commented on one of my blog posts — a million years ago (feb) and I’m JUST now getting around to “checking you out.” Love your blog! I see you also follow ILI…Love Aidan! Happy Blogging!
Rudri
Thursday, 1 July, 2010 at 19:32Shout out to all of the single mothers and fathers – You are right, I don’t know how they do it.
Have a great trip. Safe travels.
Myra
Thursday, 1 July, 2010 at 15:39I put Lauren in her stroller and wheeled her right into the handi-capped stall. Was I a smidge ashamed of myself the ONE time a person in a wheelchair needed the stall while I was in there? YUP!! I apologized….and she said I couldn’t very well park Lauren by the sink!!
Sarah
Thursday, 1 July, 2010 at 14:50Pee with her in the ergo ;). No seriously, unless she dangles too low. Maybe you could hang her on the hook for your purse, but I’d be afraid to try.
Corinne
Thursday, 1 July, 2010 at 10:51I can’t imagine being a single parent! I recently took both kids to FL, on a plane, and it was crazy. Bags and carseats and kids backpacks and Ergo and oh my goodness! Crazy 🙂
Hang in there!!
And yeah, peeing is optional 😉