Monday, February 18, 2008

Single parenting is easier with one child

Saturday morning, Ray and Ashley left after Ashley's drama class for Virginia. The goal for him was to go to our nephew's birthday party, meet up with friends to talk about becoming a real estate agent in Virginia, and meet up with our renter and check out our house. Since he didn't get to meet up with her until late yesterday, he is driving back while I type this as he is meeting a client at noon in Raleigh.

So I just had Audrey this weekend, and not that Ashley is that difficult, it's just Audrey can't really tell me no when I tell her we are going to dinner at Panera, or we are going shopping. (Ashley has begun to have an opinion on where we eat now, although she does like Panera). Audrey and I hit the outlet mall with a friend, did some shopping, had her pictures taken, ate some dinner. Sunday we went to church as I had signed up to volunteer in Audrey's room, and then we went back home and took a nap. Yes, I actually took a nap with Audrey. Which proved to be an issue later when it was midnight and I could.not.fall.asleep. After our naps, we headed out grocery shopping and took our time.

But I miss Ashley and Ray, and so does Audrey. She keeps asking where "sister" is, and wanted to know where Daddy was when she came into my room this morning. I think she will be very happy to see them this afternoon...

17 comments:

Edie said...

You never realize how much you'll miss them until they are gone for a few days. :(

Glad they are coming home today!!

Pam said...

I know you are missing them both- but I am glad you got a little break for a day. Not that we don't love our kids, but it is nice to have an easier time with those tasks.

Glad everyone will be home today.

emily said...

It is amazing how much easier it is with one after you are used to 2... but with with your first it didn't seem that easy :) In my case anyway.

But it is soooo nice to have the family together again :)

frannie said...

I'm sure it was really nice to have some one-on-one time, too!

SJINCO said...

It makes you realize that having one kid isn't so tough afterall (which is what I thought when I just had one!). It's nice to have one on one time, although it's tough to not miss them! Nice to have a break I'm sure....

How was everything in VA?

Beccy said...

If one of my eldest two is away our house is so peaceful compared to when they are both here, often vi-ing for the attention of the youngest one.

Rachel (Crazy-Is) said...

It's nice to get to spend some one on one time with your kids. When you have more than one, it's hard to do that sometimes. I'm glad you two got to hang out together and I'm glad that Ashley and Ray will be home today!

Lori said...

I'm sure it was nice to have the time alone, and it will make having everyone home again even that more enjoyable!

Jill said...

i hate to be an ass, but, well, no i dont really hate it. but it must be said, if you dont allow ashley to have an opinion about where you eat, she wont. you're the mom, you tell HER where she's going to eat. or she doesnt eat. period. she might be hungry, but she'll keep her mouth shut next time. don't take that the wrong way, just thought that i'd point out that you're still the mom, even if she's old enough to express her opinion, you still make the money, you still keep her fed and watch out for her. she's 4, not 14. if you ask her opinion, that's one thing, if she's going out of her way to make what you want to do impossible, then she's running your household. it might seem mean at first, but your life will be much easier if you make the decisions and not her. after all, would you allow her to make decisions about what doctor she goes to? or where she goes to school? no, some things you do because you know better.

Happy Working Mom said...

I have to admit you have some guts lil mouse...I know exactly what Amy's talking about...I have the exact same issues with my 4 year-old. They are people, and they have opinions (at least they do if you're raising them right). If my daughter did everything I wanted without letting me know what she wanted...I seriously worry about whether or not she had a personality. Again, I'm speaking from experience.

Laura said...

It is so funny how easy one kid is after you have 2 or more!!! When my parents take the boys and we just have the baby girl we call it a vacation!!!! And it seems like such less work!!!

Erin said...

Oh I'll second that!! When I'm with my friends who have 2 and 3 children it is odd just to sit there while watching them go nuts, but I'm like... hey, I've only got one ;)

Hence why I will never have a second one! (Well that and i don't have a man, lol)

debi9kids said...

So cute that she misses her sister!
UGH! I have had that happen- taken a nap with the little ones and PAID dearly later when I was up til the WEEE WEEE hours. LOL
Glad you got to get out and enjoy yourself.

Steph said...

We had no idea how easy we had it when there was only one little one running around, did we?! Glad they're back!

Jill said...

yup, HWM, I've got guts. I was also raised in a way that I didnt make an ass out of myself for my parents. When I was able to make a competent decision, not just have an opinion, then I was able to have some imput. if we allowed kids to pick, they'd always drink soda, they'd always eat chicken nuggets, and they'd be sick and fat (is any of this sounding familiar?) it should, because that's where our nation is headed. I just thought I'd play devil's advocate and point out an 'outside' perspective. as you so rightly pointed out, I've not been lucky enough with my fertility to 'get' my OWN kids "experience", although I have been around a lot of kids, done a lot of babysitting and substitute parenting (unpaid babysitting for relatives). I was simply throwing the idea out there for the readers to consider. 4 year olds dont always have the best judgement. too many parents letting kids make the rules has led to a lot of social ills.

it wasn't personal, just playing a wild card here.

Anonymous said...

hi,
m glad they are back:)
so hows it feeling to see your loved ones back:)
enjoy:)
goodparenting.co.in

my4kids said...

I definetly miss the years when my kids couldn't tell me they didn't want to do something!