Need advice/tips from single parents

Math_Mommy

I guess I should address this to single parents or anyone whose partner is gone more than they're home (eg. deployed),

My bf/bd is out of town for10 days. I've never been alone w/ our kids for 1 overnight, and he usually only has to go into work 20-25 hrs/week!

I'm scared that my kids (ages 2 yrs, 4 mos) wont get enough one-on-one time, and less so that my house will fall apart.

How do you make sure your kids are getting enough love while maintaining some order in your household?

Máthair

I was a single parent with my son for four years and I worked two full time jobs so I didn't see him as much as I wanted but I was home for dinner. I always let him help (not cutting anything and always supervised) but watching the preheat light on the oven go on/off, pouring the noodles into the pot, measuring stuff (kids are crazy about measuring stuff), scooping ice cream, ect.. also on my days off we would have lunch picnics(we had a small park that was near a creak, and had a gazebo across the street) Even If it rained we would dress in rain clothes and go eat. Making sure to splash in every puddle.

Another fun thing is to act out their favourite movies, or cover the screen put on crazy costumes and just use the dialogue and music, if you have a camera film it and watch it later.

Math_Mommy

@conreeaght thanks! Super cute ideas!!!

[Deleted User]

My mom raised five of us by herself. Granted seh was a battle axe. But I never once felt neglected (except when i was a newborn i guess) In fact my frind who have had two parrents and were only children seem to have been more neglected. Just thing you dont have to pay attention to hubby you can focus 100% on your girls. maybe make some fun things to do. like fly a kite! I love that or build sand castles.

Máthair

Young kids can be incredably helpful around the house too. My son used to help me "wash" the dishes by telling me how many I had left to do and holding the dry cloth and "vacuum " the floor by holding the attachments and handing them to me when I needed them.

Another idea I did was put butcher's paper on the table (poster board will work to) for him to "help me" pay the bills, he would put the stamps on and place the envelope on the correct spot, I wrote the names (electric, cable, phone, ect.) It Can also be done with pictures. (A TV or computer for cable, a phone for phone, a lighting bolt for electric, toilet for sewage and so on.)