Married Single Parent Syndrome...

Let me start by thanking each of you that read, share and comment on my blogs.  The feedback, both positive and negative, serves as inspiration and encouragement for me.  It make me strive to work that much harder to keep the readers I already have as well as gain more.

I’d also like to say that this will be my last post for a while.  It’s not that I’m getting burnt out or anything, but in the VERY near future, I plan to be doing this for a living…and that’s all I’m going to say about that.

Okay, now that all of that is out of the way, the usual disclaimers apply.  This is my blog and I like it that way, these are the things my mind tells me to say.  My thoughts into words for others to enjoy, and the method of expression I choose to employ.  Hope you enjoy and agree, and if not, I hope there’s still love from you to me.  Got it?  Good…let’s go!

I was once a single mom.  And as any single parent can and will tell you, it’s one of the most rewarding jobs in the world.  You get to watch your child (or children) grow, learn and mature and find their place in the world.  They give you memories that will last a lifetime.

BUT…it’s also one of the hardest.  You and you alone are totally responsible for the welfare and well being of your offspring.  You have to take care of them when they’re sick, handle all the E.R. and school visits, and participate in the parent/teacher conferences and extracurricular activities as well.  You are responsible for keeping them safe and protected.  You have to make sure they have child care for sick days, weather delays and cancelled sitters and closed daycares.  You have to use YOUR personal, vacation or sick time for their sick and injured days.  You buy the clothes, shoes and toys and you have to keep their hair done or cut.  Yeah every now and then a grandparent,  sibling, godparent or friend might step in for a relief mission, but when it all comes down to it…IT’S ON YOU!!!

And to a certain extent, that is to be expected.

BUT…

Are those same things to be expected once you’re married?  I have many married friends who are basically still single parents.  I get messages and emails weekly about this issue, guys.

One parent does everything for the child(ren).  They do all the laundry, keep up with the homework and projects, the do all the grocery shopping, cook, clean and bathe the kids, too.

Now I understand that there are special situations.  In some cases, one spouse may travel for work or be deployed.  And, of course, there are those that are stay-at-home moms or dads.

But for “normal” households, was this what was signed up for and expected?

In most households, IT TAKES 2 PARENTS to handle it all.  Cooking, laundry, cleaning, discipline and quality time takes patience, time, energy and money.  And it is NOT fair for all of that to fall on one parent.

IMHO…