Single Parents - Ask for Help If You Need It!

I'll be the first to admit that I have trouble asking for help. I feel that since I am a stay at home mom I should be able to get everything accomplished all the time. I like to have that super mom feeling, where I can do it all no matter what. Well, guess what? That whole super mom idea is long gone! Since my husband left almost two months ago I've learned that I can't do it alone. I guess I probably could, but I'd always be stressed and there'd probably be a lot of tears out of frustration.

If you are a single mother or a mom or dad whose spouse is away for military duties, work or whatever it might be please learn to ask for help. It doesn't make you any less of a mother or father. We have lived in the same neighborhood for four years now. We know our neighbors fairly well, but I'm just now learning how great they are. I'm also realizing that they don't mind if I ask them to help me out.

We've always been the house that has the extra kids. My kids enjoy having other kids here and kids enjoying coming here. I don't mind it at all either. I love the sound of all those feet running up and down my hallways or all those giggles you hear from the kids playing. However, now I find that I am shipping my kids off more and more often. And I'm realizing that I'm perfectly okay with it.

As a single parent that is one of the most important things I think there is. Swallow your pride and ask for help. I have asked neighbors several times if the kids could come down and play when I needed to get stuff done. There was a week when I was sick and I could barely function and I had no problem asking people to take them so I could rest. They were always happy to do so and it gave me time that I needed to get better. We have friends that we often talked to in the past about getting the kids together and we never got around to it. You can bet that I am now calling and asking to do that when it's needed. I also have a friend that has offered twice now to take the kids for the afternoon, through dinner and I've happily accepted.

I was that mom that did pretty much everything before my husband left, but having him gone is not easy. There just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done that needs to be done along with all my new responsibilities. If you find yourself in this position please ask for help. It will make your life a lot easier...I promise. Not only that, people get so busy they often don't think to ask to have your kids over. If you ask them though, 99% of the time they will happily say yes!