Day in the life - version 1 (dad's at work for 3 days straight)

I've been reading a lot of DITL blog posts from various bloggers I've kept up with throughout the years. I've always found those fascinating, because I always wonder if other peoples' lives are as crazy and hectic as mine seem to be. I love seeing/reading how other overwhelmed moms make it work.

I have a unique situation because of Steve's schedule. We're lucky that he works a full time job (one that he loves and has been at for the last 10 or so years) but only works 3 days a week. This means that he's also the stay at home parent for half the week since I work out of the home 5 days a week in a traditional Monday - Friday office job (more on our careers later).

We've been lucky that our kids have only ever been in daycare part-time. I'm actually very proud of this fact. I worked in daycares all through high school and college. I think daycare is great for kids, for socialization, etc. I get it. I'm all for it. But I also saw the kids who were dropped off at 7am and picked up at 6pm. That's a LONG day for anyone, but for a little kid? 5 days a week? Listen. I get it. Not all families are lucky or have a situation that would allow less time in daycare. Those situations are real and sometimes, there's nothing you can do about it.

BUT, I've also seen the kids whose parents just use daycare as a "babysitter" - I had one family whose child was in daycare Monday - Friday from open (7am) to close (6pm) every single day. His dad worked from home (10 minutes away). Really?

So I've been fortunate that my babies were only in daycare for 3-4 days MAX (and when they were babies, it really was 'only' 3 days).

ANYWAY, back to my DITL post (which isn't a REAL post because I'm not actually doing a real day, but you get the idea).

5:50am - I snooze the alarm
6:15ish - I get out of bed to start my day
6:45 - dressed, hair done, make up done - head to kitchen and start breakfast for the girls

Mila gets bacon, cereal, toast or a combination
Ava usually wants oatmeal and bacon

7am go upstairs to get the girls up
7:05 - 7:10 potty, get settled to eat
7:30 - get dressed
7:35 - shoes on
7:40 - out the door, load into car
7:45 - bus stop (end of our 500ft driveway)
7:50 - bye Mila!
8:00 - drop Ava off at Miss Leah's
8:20 - 4:40 - MOMMY IS AT WORK SLAVING AWAY IN FRONT OF HER LAPTOP (and going on facebook and instagram, who are we kidding?)

5pm - pick up both kids
5:10 - home, unload car, backpack, lunch boxes
5:15 - Mila lets MR outside
5:20 - kids watch some TV while I get dinner started
5:30 - 6pm dinner

6:30 - 7:30pm TV, playtime, snuggles, reading, pajamas
7:30 - head upstairs, brush teeth, go potty,
7:45 - bedtime stories!
8:00 - kisses good night

After kids are in bed and quiet, I do a quick pick up of the house, sweep, vacuum, make lunches (I HATE this chore so much for some reason!) and then, I do one of a few things, depending on how motivated I am:
1. Cook a real dinner for Steve and me (this doesn't happen that often, lol) but timing actually works out and he's home around 8:45, just about enough time for me to make something
2. Sit on the couch and veg and watch TV
3. Get out the laptop and do a little work (in bed)

Because of Steve's schedule (full time but 3 days) his days are LONG. His commute is about 40 minutes, and his work day is 13.5 hours. So he leaves the house before any of us are awake and doesn't get home until almost 9pm. So he goes 3 solid days without seeing his kids! I don't think I could go 3 days every week not seeing my kids faces. But, on the flip side, he gets to be HOME with them for FOUR days every week! It's different now that Mila is in school, but he gets to do all the "stay at home parent" duties that I don't get to. I'm so grateful that at least ONE parent can be there!

I'll do a REAL DiTL post - complete with pictures once I decide to actually do it. I think I more so wanted to document what single-momming it is like when Steve's at work.

I want to caveat this post - I understand that my situation is in NO WAY a real single-parent--lifestyle. I know the hard days will end and I'll have my partner back. I know that I do have someone to lean on when all is said and done. And while I can resent some of this, I know I shouldn't. It's hard when it's all on ME to do ALL the things. Heck, I get pissed and tell Steve "you never have to work and parent on the same day" and I think when I said that out loud, it finally sunk in for him. I work a full day, and then, THEN need to be a good mom and listen, and play and parent and all those good things. Sometimes, it's hard. I have no real, big complaints. But if I can't vent or complain on my own blog, where can I?