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My wife had her appendix out this week.

It was an unexpected shock to her system, obviously, but also to our family unit. And though I’ve always respected single parents, being left alone with Boobaby for two days and then obliged to care for both baby and my convalescing wife for several more days has elevated that respect into something bordering on veneration.

The procedure was without complication at the hands of skilled surgeons. My parenting skills, on the other hand, were not so impressive. The hardest part, I think, was the choices I had to make. Do I stay home to let the baby sleep or wake her and go to the E.R. with my wife and her brother? How about during the surgery — should I stay in the waiting room? Not much point, I guess, since my wife was under general anesthesia the whole time, but not to be there seemed almost disloyal.

And then there was the simple physical challenge of manipulating a 35-pound toddler through miles of hospital corridors and parking lots several times in a day. We’re spoiled by our convenience to outdoor play areas, so Boobaby hardly ever uses a stroller anymore. With her mom in the hospital, though, we suddenly had to make several trips around town getting this and arranging that. Boo was in and out of the car seat in one day an exhausting nine times. That’s a record for us, but for a single parent who needs to run all her errands with a child or children in tow, I can only imagine that nine is a pretty typical number.

I don’t know how you single parents manage a home, either. Though as a stay-at-home dad I’m pretty good at juggling baby and household chores, I still depend on my wife’s return from work so I can get dinner made, laundry done, and the house straightened up. With my wife out of commission, after just a few days the living room was covered with a crust of toys, cracker crumbs, and odd socks: I just hadn’t had time to get anything off the floor. I’ve done a total of one load of laundry this week, down from an average of one per day. And cooking? Well, let me just say that I’m glad my daughter likes grilled cheese so much. That and takeout is about all any of us have had for a while.

I’m proud to be a full-time stay-at-home parent, but as my wife went through her ordeal, I realized more profoundly than ever how lucky I am to be in my position. Those of you who are single parents, or, for that matter, for you two-working-parent families, or even you at-home parents with a spouse who travels or works odd and long hours — to all of you who have unrelieved full-time kid duty for periods of greater than 24 hours: Well done! I applaud you, I pat you on the back, I send you major kudos.

And I have no clue how you manage it.

by Doodaddy

[tags]kids, children, parents, parenting, appendix, surgery, single parent, home, care, mess, neat, love, respect, awe, kudos[/tags]
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