As an independent consultant my work schedule can have significant fluctuations with some weeks being slower and other weeks being insanely busy. And this last week was one of those busy weeks. In fact, I have been away with work more then I’ve been home in the last week – heck I was even away with work on Saturday. Being gone this much is another first that I’m not happy about. My current work schedule means that I’ve missed multiple bedtimes. I’ve missed multiple mornings wake-ups. And, I’ve missed and all the good stuff that happens in between.
It’s been hard! Really hard in fact.
Practically when I’m working this much it is hard on our family. Mr. MPB is an amazing father, but when he’s the one doing everything he gets worn down and slightly frustrated – which I do understand as I know we each keep score in our own ways. He’s stuck doing everything (except laundry because that’s always my job). Which means while he’s also working full time he also does all the early morning wake ups, all the bed times, all the cooking, all the playing, all the snuggling, etc. And of course, this means when I am around we spend more time arguing, about the inequalities. Which is ironic because I know neither of us want to spend our limited time together arguing, yet we do in large part because we are both so tired.
Emotionally this last week has been unbelievably hard. Simply, I want to be with Little MPB. I want to snuggle him. I want to play with him. I want to read him stories. I want to give him bedtime snuggles. I even want to do the less fun stuff – diapers, early morning wake-ups, etc. Missing all this stuff is hard. And, I feel massive amount of guilt as a result.
And, to be honest, I also miss spending time with Mr. MPB. We usually spend time together with Little MPB as a family. And, just the two of us usually our evenings together once Baby MPB is in bed.
I know all of what I’m saying is not a new concept. Families all of the world have two working parents. Many mom’s including my own, have done this before me and many more will in the future. It’s a hard balancing act to perfect, and honestly I doubt I ever will. But, what I’d love to know is what is the secrete to making it work? How in the world am I supposed to manage my professional life (which I enjoy) and my family life (which I love) without always feeling like I’m coming up short in some respect?
If you like this post, please feel free to share and please click the follow button on the side or return to myperfectbreakdown.com to follow my journey.
We had another first this weekend. And, unlike most of the firsts we’ve experienced so far this one was the type of first that I think no mother ever looks forward to.
.
Little MPB was playing with our pots and pans – one of his absolute favourite things to do. And he dropped one of the pots on his foot. Something that has happened before, not ideal but really not a big deal.
But this time, that pot landed and he instantly started screaming, and not a good scream but also not a I’m really hurt scream. We assumed he just startled himself. So, I picked up Little MPB to give him a good snuggle and kiss him better while Mr. MPB continued cooking dinner.
As Little MPB and I were snuggling I inspected his foot and determined all was fine. But he was still pretty upset and so we continued to snuggle. A a few minutes later I noticed blood on the floor. Confused I re-inspected and determined that that I inspected the wrong foot!!
Needless to say Little MPB was bleeding which no parent ever wants to see for the first time!
But he wouldn’t stop moving long enough for me to get a good look. So, with Mr. MPB help, we managed to inspect the correct foot! We determine that it wasn’t that bad and didn’t need stitches. But, it did need to be cleaned and it did need a Band-Aid put on it until the bleeding stopped.
Well, it turns out we weren’t at all prepared for this first. All we could find in our house was hydrogen peroxide to clean the cut and needless to say Little MPB was not a fan! And it took us 4 Band-Aids until we managed to get one on his toe!
So, our parenting lesson this weekend were:
- Irrational parent guilt is real – I didn’t hurt him yet I felt insanely responsible for his injury and couldn’t stop apologizing to him.
- One must inspect the entire child for injury.
- Purchase child friendly wound sterilizing supplies.
- Improve wiggly toddler Band-Aid applying skills.
If you like this post, please feel free to share and please click the follow button on the side or return to myperfectbreakdown.com to follow my journey.
My Perfect Breakdown 