End of Single-Parenthood

Hubby is back from Abu Dhabi, after 4 long months. It was a period of trials and challenges for all of us.

We have been married for 10 years, and this is the first time that we are physically apart for so long. I consider myself the luckier one though - I am at home with the 2 boys. Life is easier having the children with me. If I were the one who had gone overseas alone, I am not sure how I would have coped. The boys give me the strength to handle the difficulties of everyday life. We have coped surprisingly well without my hubby around. God has helped us. The children have been more cooperative and compliant in his absence and have kept to the routine faithfully. They seemed to understand that it is hard for mummy to take care of them alone. However, weekends were kinda boring because of the absence of our outdoor manager. I am not good at planning outdoor activities for them, although I managed a few difficult ones - including a morning picnic at Botanic Gardens and a trip to T3, Changi Airport.

During the Chinese New Year celebrations, it was also just 3 of us, and we managed to perform our annual visits to relatives. We went as far as Serangoon, with some help from GPS. It was not always accurate, but nevertheless gives me the confidence to drive around.

On their birthdays in January, I managed to organise a visit to the Bird Park, so that they can hear the bird 'Amigo' sing the birthday song, and ended the outing with a teppanyaki lunch at Jurong Hill. How adventurous .... but without their daddy around, it is somehow not fun enough. The next day, we went to Hort Park and had dinner at Jack's Place, Anchor Point. The younger one commented that it is not fun to just have 3 of us. How true it is.

Now, hubby is finally back. It has been close to a month since he came home. Sadly, I would say that we are adjusting to having him around now. At first, we were adjusting to his absence, and now to his presence. What an irony. Gregory, the younger one, also became more rebellious and uncooperative since his father's return. Nevertheless, life is a little more interesting now. He took us on a trip for us to Kuala Lumpur during the March school holidays. What can I conclude from here? In any situation, there will be good and bad. When hubby was away, I 'ran the show' and the kids had to adapt to just one parent's style and expectations. When he is back, the way things are done is different, and now they have to adapt to 2 parents. Of course, it is always better to have 2 parents. One parent will struggle to maintain the stamina, both physical and mental, to raise the children forever.

Strangely, I was also becoming more productive in my hubby's absence. I did an online certification course, came up with some business plans, and many more. With his return, I am not as focused as I wanted to be. Naturally. I pray that we will cherish each other's presence, as we have learnt from the absence that we have a deep concern for each other. But well, living with each other... the differences, even the tiniest ones such as putting down the toilet seat, can get on our nerves. Can't deny that we are human afterall.