No more solo parenting

October has been a month full of travel. David's been to Nagasaki Prefecture (school trip) and Bangkok (leadership conference). Together we went to Fukushima Prefecture (camping), and I went to Aomori Prefecture (writing retreat). That's nearly 7,000 km in total.

Myoonzawa in Niiza, Saitama Prefecture, 
just 5 km from us along the river
 https://maps.app.goo.gl/qstkjmP8t57rGXvQ6

This last week I was home on my own for five nights while David attended a school leadership conference in Bangkok. He got home on Sunday morning. I reflected out loud on Sunday night about how much easier this was than when our kids were younger. 

In particular I remembered the period of the day from when they got home from school (around 4) until bedtime. It was hectic and exhausting and it was all mine. Usually we shared parenting and housework tasks and that was especially helpful at night when we were all tired. From dinner time onwards: I cooked and David washed dishes. I think he also did a lot of the shower-time supervision, but I can't remember exactly, and then there was bedtime routine which we shared: we tried to individually read the Bible and another book, pray and (often) sing with them. But when he was away it was all mine and it was exhausting. But it has to be said that in those early years he didn't go away all that often!

These days it can be a bit lonely when he's away, but at least I only have me and limited housework to manage.

It's good to remember and be thankful. Here are two quotes from earlier times:

    [David was away nine days this trip]: Anyone else have trouble with getting night-time ablutions and bedtime done? I do. They move at a snail's pace and I find myself bouncing between three boys imploring them to move forward only to find when I get back to the one I've left, that he hasn't done a thing. I hate it! I hate putting them through showers too. They hate getting in, then they won't get out. And even when they do, they've not encountered any soap on the way through... Arrrgggghh. [2012, when our children were 12, 9, and 6] 

     [When David had been away for eight days] Only one child had to leave the room during one meal (and that was his choice, I didn't order him out, only suggested). That is huge. Meal times have been a high stress time in recent months. Closely followed by the after school–pre dinner period (homework, piano practise, showers).

    I'm very thankful. God has given me a wonderful week with my boys. Wow, I've even enjoyed them most of the time. [2014, when our children were 14, 11, and 8]

I am not fond of walking on my own
for exercise, so, with my walking partner
away last week, I chose to go for a 
bike ride instead. This little nature
reserve is just five kilometres from our
house along riverside paths.

So I am indeed thankful that those days are past and when one of us goes away now it isn't anywhere near so stressful for the one left behind. But I'm also thankful that this October is over and that life is a bit more routine now for the next seven weeks before we do a bit more travel (though just for leisure, not for work).