If youβre a regular follower of the blog youβll know with three kids weβre outnumbered.
Which means when one grown up is otherwise engaged whoever is left holding the baby is well and truly outnumbered.
The latest grown up to find themselves outnumbered is me after Misery Guts flew to Italy for work. It was only for two days, but it felt like two weeks.
Itβs not the first time Iβve been left flying solo, but for some reason it was the hardest its ever been and made me realise there are certain things they just donβt tell you about being outnumbered.
Things they donβt tell you about being outnumbered
1. Things happen that donβt happen when youβve got reinforcement. Like poonamis that require total strip down of them and you the second you wake up in the morning, and the baby eating toast they’ve extracted from the bin next to a dirty nappy you hadn’t put in a sack because you were too busy being outnumbered.
2. Thereβs no-one to appreciate the truly low points of the day. Like what you thought was a stone in the bottom of the washing machine but was in fact a smooth patty of reformed poo, even though youβd rinsed out the offending garment first. I kid you not people, such a mash-up is indeed possible. Possibly my most disgusting parenting moment yet.
3. You get shouty. Because thereβs only so many times you can say βput your shoes onβ and βbrush your teethβ without flipping out.
4. You resolve to use the lack of reinforcement as an opportunity to get an early night and go to bed when the kids go to bed. Except youβre opening the fridge the minute their heads hit the pillow pouring yourself a nice glass of wine. And then another.
5. Your parenting style comes under critique β by your six-year-old. βDaddy doesnβt drive to school this way β he goes that wayβ or βDaddy doesnβt read it like thatβ.
6. You have zero sympathy for the other half who comes home tired and drained after a βback to backβ schedule of networking which just happened to involve a cocktail reception and five course meal at one of Milanβs top restaurants.
7. You get a good present. Because they wouldnβt dare come home empty handed.
8. You can milk the fact you were flying solo for at least double the amount of time they were actually gone for. If not more.
Have you been left flying solo recently? Do you have any top tips for the next time Iβm well and truly outnumbered? Iβd love to hear what they are!
If you liked this you may also enjoy reading:
The 10 stages of sleep deprivation
A letter to first time mum me
Things I wish Iβd known about my lady bits
Linking up with these fabulous blogs!
[…] a mum of three with two in nappies I shudder to think how many baby wipes we go through in a week, so when the […]
Totally get this, all of it as I flew solo from Monday evening until Friday lunch every week until big lad was almost 5. It sucked! I have major respect for single parents. #FamilyFun
Haha, hilarious! Number 3 gets me every time, and I’m often on the end of comments like number 5 from my almost 5 year old! He’s my biggest critic! Hope you got a bit of a rest after the OH got home…
Opps, forgot to add #TwinklyTuesday! π
I hear you loud and clear. The husband has had project go lives the past two weekends so it has been me v 4 littles and lets just say they won!! Thanks for linking up with the #DreamTeam
It totally about balance and trying to cater for all. Ugh to solo but glad you got through it X #bloggersbest
Your number 6 made me laugh out loud! To be honest, I feel despite having a husband who is also my children’s father I am too often flying solo whether her is here or not! #BloggersBest
Even though I’ve only got one I often feel outnumbered, how I’d cope if l actually was is a concern! I’m glad you got a present at least #bloggersbesy4
My mummy only has me and often her parenting style comes under critique! Must just be a thing that 5+ say! π hold on in there! #FamilyFunLinky x
Three kids is a wild adventure. Mine are 13, 11 and 10. Everyday is like fending off world war three. I call it survival of the fittest.
#bloggersbest
All very true. Although I only have to two to contend with I’m left flying solo for ten weeks at a time when hubby is away in the Merchant Navy. The kids always develop attitude problems they would never display when there dad was around and the lack of back-up makes me feel like I’m talking to a brick wall half the time for the amount of notice the kids take of what I’m saying. I become shouty mum on a very regular basis!
Thank you for joining the #FamilyFunLinky x
Hats off to you Mama, I often feel outnumbered with two! Thanks for linking up #twinklytuesday x
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