Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings are my “cram as much into 24 hours as possible” since Finn spends this time with his dad. We just transitioned to this schedule so we’re all getting adjusted to it.
I have received so many messages and emails from other single moms (many also with babies and small children) thanking me for sharing my experiences and asking for more so I thought I’d write a day in the life post of a day when I don’t have Finn.
Wednesdays have become my run days because it’s one of the best ways for me to get my energy straight after the exchange. I’ve started running with Zoey and she loves the one-on-one attention. We did an easy trail 5K in the neighborhood yesterday and I felt about a million times clearer after the run.
I had an appointment at 1:30 so I had to shower and eat lunch in a hurry. I made a sandwich with mayo, avocado, turkey, bacon, colby pepper jack, bread and butter pickles and sweet/hot mustard. I ate it off this paper towel while I was rushing around packing my pump and getting my stuff ready to spend the afternoon out.
I usually work on the computer straight through until I have to teach at 4 but since I had the appointment at 1:30, that time was shortened. My appointment was near Sunflour in Elizabeth so I popped in for an afternoon pick me up and to prep for my yoga classes. I had a morning glory muffin and a latte.
I taught yoga at Charlotte Yoga Southend at 4p and at VIBE5 at 5:45 p.m. I pumped in the car between classes. Thank goodness for hands-free pumping bras. I was talking to my mom on bluetooth while I sat in traffic and she asked if I had my windshield wipers on. Haha.
I ran home after class to let the girls out, feed them and quickly shower and change. I had plans to meet some friends at Foxcroft Wine Co. I thought about bailing on the evening plans no fewer than 25 times yesterday but I’m glad I went out. I have to kind of force myself to be social and not to sit at home (which is perfectly fine and cozy for me) but 9 times out of 10 I am glad I went out after I get myself there. A friend of mine used to tell me, “the anticipation is worse than the participation” and it’s so true. It was a lovely evening of lighthearted conversation and I was home well before 10p.
Back at home I prepped an overnight oats/chia pudding combo for breakfast the next day and ate two oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookies (for which I need to share the recipe for ASAP!). I also washed dishes, loved on the girls and pumped again. I stayed up too late watching Friends from College on Netflix. It was 11:30 when I turned it off.
The reason that was TOO LATE to stay up was because I had to teach yoga at 5:30 a.m. this morning. My first class isn’t usually until 8:15 a.m. so I get to sleep in a little but I switched some classes with Dorie just for today.
I woke up at 4 a.m. from a bad dream and could never go back to sleep…especially knowing my alarm would be going off shortly. I got out of bed around 4:40a, made coffee, fed the girls, showered, packed bags, got my pumping gear set up and left home. I pumped on the way there, once again thank goodness for the hands-free bra (and bulky pullovers). Don’t worry, I am driving safely with both hands on the wheel haha).
Class was great. I had such a great group of yogis for it. The bonus was that I got to stay after I taught and take Dorie’s 6:45 a.m. class. I haven’t taken her class since I was like 40 weeks pregnant.
I had to bolt at the end of class to head across town to teach my 8:15 a.m. at VIBE5. I didn’t know what traffic would be like. Just to reiterate, this 8:15 is usually my first class of the day…I’m not usually up and running around in the pre-dawn hours and not going to make that a habit. I do enjoy the night of uninterrupted sleep!
I got there early enough to sit in the parking lot and eat my breakfast and pump…again. I know this is a lot of pumping talk but it’s a realistic picture for a lot of moms, whether that’s work, travel or single mom related.
After class at VIBE5 I drove over to Charlotte Yoga ParkTowne to teach one last class at 9:30. It’s a lot of teaching crammed into a short amount of time but I don’t teach again until next Tuesday so I have plenty of time to unwind from it and get ready to start over again.
Back at home I showered, picked up around the house, started laundry, made lunch, washed dishes and wrote this post. Oh and also one last round of you know what. Here’s a post I wrote with a lot of info about pumping and what pump I use, FYI.
Lunch was leftover white chicken chili and chopped salad. I had a cup of tea and another oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookie after lunch.
Needless to say I am looking forward to a QUIET afternoon with my boy. I packed a lot into 24 hours but our Friday and weekend is shaping up to be pretty low-key. We have some fun stuff planned like walks and playdates with friends. 🙂
That was a lot and this is the end. I love hearing from and connecting with you guys so please reach out any time whether it’s a comment, an email or an Instagram DM. We’re all in this together although it might look different depending on your unique circumstances. <3
It’s interesting to read here that an issue you face is missing your son when he’s with his dad. I am a married mother, but when I have occasionally thought of what it would like to be a single parent, I have viewed the break from my kids as one of the perks of single parenting. But I can see why you would miss your son, and I guess I don’t truly know how I would feel in similar circumstances, having not had that experience. Also, my sons are quite a bit older than yours (7 years old), and they are already in elementary school, so that might be a factor as well.
Sounds like you had a productive day!
I was a single mom for several years (now remarried). Even after doing it for years, even with older kids, I still miss my kids when they are with their dad. It’s different when you have to “take a break” on a certain schedule versus getting to for something fun or relaxing. Just my experience!
I’m married but work full time out of the home. My son is 10 months – just a little older than Finn. Friends often ask me to go out on the weekends and I’m happy to but I want to bring my boy. I’m away from him more than I’d like to be and I want to spend as much time with him as I can. I think it’ll change as our boys get older but for now give me my baby boy. I need his sweet smile and squawking screams 🙂
We watched ALL of Friends from College in one weekend. I can’t tell if I loved it or if it’s just a horrible show that’s incredibly addicting! Hahah
Also… ALL THE PUMPING! I feel ya girl. I did that for 4 months while working full time and there were several times where I had to pump in the car. Hang in there. You’re doing a wonderful job!
“I have to kind of force myself to be social and not to sit at home (which is perfectly fine and cozy for me) but 9 times out of 10 I am glad I went out after I get myself there. ” – Yes!! My introverted self will always try to find a reason not to go somewhere, but then I almost always say, “I’m really glad I made myself go.”
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
How do you make your overnight oats/chia? I can never get a consistency I like.
hi Jen. Wow, you are a busy mom! You really pack a lot into a day! My kids are in college and I breast fed them also. There were no hands free pumping bras then…what a great time saver!! You, Finn and the dogs always make me smile! Thank you for sharing your lives with us!