When your partner is traveling, heres how to survive solo parenting.

It was a very exasperating week when Tony went to the hunting camp. Penelope’s budding separation anxiety, and my growing to do list for my self run business was chaotic to say the least. Monday started off great, Tuesday was still okay but Wednesday things were buckling at the seams, and finally by Thursday I had a full on mental breakdown.

I felt like a hamster on a wheel, constantly running but never getting anywhere. Which I suppose is really motherhood in a nut shell, but this was the week from parenting hell and it also happened to be the week I was without my partner. I often think when its just us two how hard it must be for single parents who have either no help or no family close by, I honestly do not know people do it. Mix running a business, working or going to school in there and its a recipe for a nervous breakdown.

However, I can confidently say this week from hell has taught me a thing or two about patience. Perhaps more importantly it has taught me how to survive a week of solo parenting with a toddler.

1. Get outside

Its been pretty cold here lately, the seasons are shifting and every other day it seems to snow. But that doesn’t stop us from getting our snowsuits on, boots and find a mode of transportation like a stroller or sleigh.

There’s nothing like a little vitamin D to change a whiny, miserable attitude in to a positive one. Most of the time I let her play with whatever she wants, if that is her water table on a nice day or jumping in puddles. Whatever works because at the end of the day things can be cleaned, and baths can be drawn.

2. Let them help you do something

When it comes to the point of losing my mind, and wine just isn’t an option I will let her help me do my chores. If its laundry I let her sort, throw in her clothes and press the button. During lunch or dinner she usually helps mix something together or I give her a bowl, a wooden spoon and ask her to help “mama cook” and she just loves it. Usually its an easy win and I have a second where I can breathe again.

Usually its an easy win and I have a second where I can breathe again.

3. Put on a movie or iPad game.

I save this one for one of my last resorts, I dont like her to spend too much time on her Ipad of watching tv. But there are times when your survival is more important, and during those times I like to have some apps pre-downloaded. There are several educational games I leave on the iPad like Learning with Homer, Fish School or PBS Kids.

But there are times when your survival is more important

4. Its okay to not be okay

I struggled all week with feeling like I should be able to parent by myself, until I finally made a call to my parents to come recuse me. There will always be good days, bad days and really bad days. But the good thing is to remember tomorrow is another day, and its okay to have a glass of wine or bottle.

My takeaway from this week was I do need help, everyone does once and its okay to call for reinforcements. Its also okay to have wine stored away for days when your child is whiney, and maybe even try to incorporate yoga or some sort of mediation before your little ones wake up. If your having a horrible week just remember tomorrow is another day and these bad days/weeks won’t last forever.