Remember a couple of weeks ago when I did a week of guest posts called ” A Day in the Life?” Well, another mom wanted to share her story:
Brittany is a single mom who works two jobs to support her three-year old son, Brody. She struggles to find the balance between being the best mom she can, (and father too) while also trying to remember that she is still a twenty-five year old woman who needs time to herself. Brittany blogs about the trials and errors of parenting and finding what makes her truly happy. Join her on her journey by visiting Changing Diapers and Taking Names. She’ll make you laugh and perhaps inspire you to start a journey of your own.
If someone had asked me five years ago, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” I sure as hell wouldn’t have described my current situation. I am a single mother to a beautiful and hyperactive three-year old boy named Brody. I am also a Certified Nursing Assistant who takes care of a patient with Alzheimer’s. In addition to my full –time job, I also clean houses on the side for a little extra money (gotta do what you gotta do, can I get an Amen?). Five years ago, I thought I would never have kids, I was terrified of the elderly and cleaning houses? Ha-ha, please! Alas, everything happens for a reason, right?
A typical day for me starts when my “human alarm” a.k.a. Brody wakes me up a good half hour before my actual alarm goes off. He is such a morning person, something he definitely did not get from me. I spend the morning checking e-mails and such while Brody sings and dances with The Wiggles (Heaven help me!). After I chase him down and get clothes on him and do my best to remember our medications (can’t live without those), we are off to the babysitter’s house.
God has blessed me with a wonderful babysitter, who I completely trust. Her house is practically Brody’s second home, which is why I am so grateful that he loves his sitter! Once he is safe and sound in her house I’m off to my second home, my patient’s residence. My patient and his family are like family to me. I adore them all so much! They treat me like one of their own and never let me doubt their appreciation! I typically work seven hours there, helping him exercise, making sure he eats properly and helping him do his everyday tasks.
Once my work is done, I have about an hour that I can zip around and run errands without a whiny child calling the shots. Then it’s time to pick up my little man and get home. I try to take him out to dinner once a week for a break in routine and to squeeze in some quality time with him. We always enjoy our dinner dates! By the time we make it home on a normal day though, it’s time for dinner and a movie. I swear my child will not eat at home without his DVD player on the table next to him. Whatever floats his boat and gets him to eat!
After dinner, it’s time for a bath, then a little play time and finally off to bed. Once he is warmly tucked in, it’s finally time for relaxation! Ah, to sit in peace and sip a glass of wine. Sounds nice right? Well that usually doesn’t happen. I usually do laundry, yoga and at some point jump on the computer to keep up with my blogging duties. I usually pour myself into bed around eleven and pray that my alarm wakes me up before Brody does!
I always have in mind what I want to accomplish for the day. Usually I fail on some level. But I’m happy at the end of the day if I loved Brody with all my heart, loved my patient with all of my heart and had at least ten minutes of peace and quiet! That is a successful day to me!
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