Last night was a true test of parenting endurance. With my husband out of town and both our part-time nanny and backup nanny unavailable due to schedule changes, I found myself completely alone. My in-laws couldn’t arrive in time, and my emergency contact, my close friend, was busy at an event.
There I was, with three kids and a migraine that felt like a jackhammer drilling through my skull. The last time I faced a migraine this severe, our previous full-time nanny had come to the rescue, helping tuck the kids in when I could barely function. I woke up to a tidy house and peacefully sleeping children. If I wasn’t already a fan of her, I definitely fell head over heels for her that night.
Now, my beloved nanny has moved to North Dakota (just to clarify, not my husband), and I was left grappling with sharp pain radiating from my eye to the back of my neck, feeling nauseous, and squinting at the slightest light as if it were the sun itself. Thank goodness I had the foresight to prepare dinner for the kids earlier.
I managed to plate their food and pour their drinks before curling up on the couch, feeling like I might hurl at any moment. I directed my newly appointed babysitters, my five-year-olds, from the comfort of my makeshift throne. “Is your baby sister done with her food? Is she eating? Can you get her some fruit? Can you make sure she doesn’t stand up in her high chair? Can you get her milk?”
I had been so proud of myself for creating adorable fruit skewers with peaches, blackberries, grapes, and strawberries. Now, I was regretting that decision, imagining my 21-month-old using the skewers as a weapon. Luckily, my sweet son helped by carefully taking the fruit off the skewer and placing it on her high chair.
As the clock struck 5 PM, I felt on the brink of a meltdown, questioning how I’d get through baths, teeth brushing, pajamas, and bedtime. The noise from my exuberant five-year-olds was like daggers piercing my skull. Any movement threatened to send me running to the bathroom. My baby girl kept staring at me, her big brown eyes curious about why Mama was curled up on the couch, mumbling a weak “Mama” repeatedly.
Eventually, my five-year-olds reported that the 21-month-old was finished eating. I took a deep breath, mustered my remaining strength, and began cleaning her up. That’s when I noticed she had a corn kernel stuck up her nose. Had she ever done that before? Nope. Did I have the energy to deal with it? Not particularly. Armed with tweezers, I managed to get it out, but wait, there was another one lodged deep in her nostril.
Thank goodness for my education and training in toddler nose emergencies! With a bit of finesse, I removed the second kernel, reminding myself to add “don’t stick food up your nose” to my future babysitting instructions for the five-year-olds. After a brief lecture that took half my energy to deliver, it was 6 PM, and I realized I was done for the night. My little one usually goes to bed at 7, but tonight, she was in pajamas and a nighttime diaper by 6:15.
I called my five-year-olds upstairs, skipping the bath and teeth-brushing routine for a night of cartoon indulgence in my bedroom. They snuggled in with me while I attempted to hide under the covers, only to make a swift trip to the bathroom when nausea struck again.
In an unprecedented move, I asked them to tuck themselves into bed. To my surprise, they complied beautifully. My son gave me a sweet hug, kissed me, and even turned off the lights before shushing his sister. With the doors clicking shut, I finally found solace in the quiet and felt immense gratitude that the day was over.
This morning, the migraine had dissipated, and I reflected on a colleague’s remark that no excuse is valid for missing work, and that everyone should have a backup plan. The truth is, not everyone is blessed with a village to lean on. While I appreciate having support, sometimes the universe just doesn’t cooperate. I’m genuinely in awe of those parents who manage without a village. If your kids are fed, their teeth brushed most of the time, and they bathe occasionally, you’re doing amazing. Keep going, parent warriors!
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Summary:
Last night, I faced the ultimate parenting challenge alone with a debilitating migraine while juggling three kids. Despite feeling overwhelmed, I managed to navigate dinner, a nose emergency, and bedtime with a little creativity and a lot of help from my five-year-olds. It’s a reminder that while support systems are invaluable, many parents do it alone and deserve immense respect.