An appreciation

I'm playing Mr. Mom for a few days.  I got 3 kids (18, 14, 8). Girl, boy, girl. You know that more goes into the day than just getting the kids up and sending them off to school.  There's everything that goes before and after that.  Rewind night before...

check homework: 2nd grade homework is dealing with rhombus and algebra equations--REALLY?! I didn't do well with that in 10th grade!  Thankfully baby girl had a better grip on it than me.  I hope that homework is right--my name is on it now. 

Lunch: pack a lunch, a snack, make sure you include water for the snack, make sure the water bottle is clean, just like the lunch box. I got this! (ok, hopefully)

clothes: Now I've never been one who was fashionably gifted.  If left up to me sweats/hoodies and Nike would be all I'd wear--come to think of it, that is all I wear. Baby girl has SOOOO many clothes--a lot with the tags still on them (Need to talk to the wife about that). I can't remembe what shirt went with what pants.  I see sweats!  NO! resist the urge! Ok, I got a decent outfit.  But now I have to pack her clothes for a 3 days.  What to do? I got it, bribe the 18 year old! It wont cost me much and I'm off the hook if it's not what she's supposed to wear.  If it is, great!  I look like a genious!

hair: Uh oh...not my strong suit. 18 yr old comes down stairs to save the day!  WRONG! she put a band around her head and called it a day.  I got this! (see the before and after--I'm talented)

Now all that's left is: call both schools to let them know kids aren't coming in for a couple days, check clothes getting packed, make sure you pick up baby girl off of bus because oldest is at day 1 for her job, get dinner together, pick up son from soccer practice, take back shoes to store--didn't fit well and we need them for the trip, pack my clothes, check what the kids got packed and HOW much they got packed, check BB for work stuff, get refill on prescription because it will run out while I'm gone, fuel up the van, pack snacks for the trip, set DVR for missed programs, set out of office message at work on phone and email, put mail on hold, STEAL 5 MINUTES OF SANITY, get baby girl settled in for bed, check on other kids for homework, try to spend SOME quality time with kids, check on wife, go to bed and hope to get at least 5-6 hours sleep before a 9 hour drive.  I feel like I forgot something...

In short my appreciation to all those out there handling your business whether it's couples raising their kids together, single mom's, single dad's doing what they're supposed to--not asking for praise just doing what has to be done.  It takes a village to raise a child.  If you don't have a village handy, do the best you can and pray for guidance.  No parent is perfect, but darned if we don't try to be!

God bless