For the last several days, ok the past 5, my wife has been out of town. I’ve had to do all the cooking, cleaning, taking care of the boys, etc. Not that I don’t mind or even love doing it, but it has been a lot. But what I’ve realized more and more, is the amount of respect that I have for other parents.

The boys are able to do a lot for themselves, getting dressed, getting snacks out and in bowls, help with some cooking and picking up after themselves, but I have to say, I have a new profound respect for single parents. I was averaging getting an hour by myself each night before bed, to just rest. But that is the thing, I did it for 5 days, but what about the parents that do it everyday?

Parenting is a lot of hard work. There are so many things that go into a parents day, from the time that they wake up and getting the kids ready, to work, to returning home from work and picking up the kids, to making dinner, bed time, laundry, house cleaning and maybe a few minutes to themselves. And after 5 days, the amount of respect that I have for single parents is through the roof. I’ve done this several times, but this 5 day stretch was a little more than usual. The boys are able to do more, but they are able to get into more stuff too.

So, to those that wear the hat of both mother and father, to those that do it all, day in and day out. All I can say, is keep up the good work. Your children will notice. They will notice how hard you work and all that you do for them. They will notice the sacrifices that you make for them. They will see that when you get to the point that you can’t do or give anymore, you find away to force your way ahead. But more importantly, they too will have a lot of respect for you and will see how to be a parent and what to do or not to do when they have kids.