We are coming up on the end of the year, and for me, an incredibly busy time of year. As a single parent of three, I know that I only have two hands and two legs and one brain to get myself through this season or any other and one of the things I have had to learn over the years is how to pace myself. Since there is only one of me, I cannot afford to get run down or ragged, or let myself get put out of commission.
As single parents, without the consistent back-up, it is important that we pace ourselves and only we know what our own temperament and capacity is. I admit that I believe that my own stamina and capacity for chaos has been increased and expanded substantially by my being a parent, especially a single parent, but I have learned what my strengths and weaknesses are and how I can stretch myself a bit—without stretching myself too thin.
There is no shame in admitting that you cannot handle something or that you need to take some extra time. Just because we are single parents, does not mean that we are super-human or that the laws of nature don’t apply to us. Figure out what needs to happen and instead of over-stacking your schedule, consider spreading things out. Keep in mind that there are always unpredictable things that pop up and need attention and it is wise to keep some room or time to attend to these things. A schedule that is too full and intense can get blown to smithereens with one additional surprise.
Even if you are not a list-maker, it might be helpful to sketch things out on a calendar or some sort of a schedule. This way you can see what might need to be moved or shifted. Be sure to take into account your own personal activity level—are you more productive in the mornings or at night? Are you likely to get a cold (or have a child who gets one) during the winter months? How healthy are you now? All of these concerns, and others, can affect how productive you can be. Learning to pace ourselves is an important accomplishment for any single parent.
Also: Trust Yourself
Balancing Finances and Family Time
How Much Can You Squeeze in a Lunch Hour?