10 Things I learned as a solo dad for a week

So at the beginning of the month Katie went to Haiti with her church. At the same time my mom went on a mission trip with her church and the girls and I were determined to do this.
As a side note my mother in law had Bethany for an extra night and my dad was also around (but more of that soon)

So here are the learnings:
10. Planning, planning, planning– I spent much time planning everything that I needed to get done.  I made sure that the first things I tackled were the most mission critical and then if (when) the day got away I would not lose too much ground.  Also I told the kids and anyone who would listen about the plan until I was blue in the face.  This way when it came time to transition to the next thing no one was taken by surprise.
9. Sometimes you have to move at their pace– not everything God done because there were times where I would have to stop and be enamored by a bug that Eden found or play a game with Bethany that involved putting on and taking off socks and shoes about 50 times.  It turns out to be far more enjoyable when you just accept the fact that you will HAVE to go at their pace, after all they are going at mine so much of the time.  I was able to find wonder in bugs and rocks, and got really good at putting little socks on squirming feet.
8. It Sucks Getting Sick with your kids– One of the worst parts was that Bethany and I were sick with a stomach flu together.  There have been few things in parenting that I have felt more helpless in than telling the almost 2 year old just to stand in the tub while we are both getting sick together.  This is not the kind of bonding we look forward to as parents.
7. Planning doesn’t mean it will work like the plan– So we planned and planned and then we have to also be ready to call an audible and shift things up to make the best what you have to work with rather than lamenting on what great and glorious plan you had in mind.
6. Some things are sinking in…–In the middle of the chaos of the week there were some really bright spots with.  I had a bunch of cool conversations with our oldest (6) about where mom was ans about the work she was doing.  Eden then talked about how unfair it is that we have so much while other people are going hungry.  Also when we were sick she did a great job of taking care of us in a way she could only learn from her mom.  Awesome!!
5. The older one has a servant’s heart– This one kind of dovetails with the previous.  There were some times where I would need Eden to help with this or that because I was trying to deal with the sick toddler.  Eden got towels, helped with dinner, made sure the dog was fed…. it was a blessing.
4. The little one is sneaky– Bethany loves to watch and pretend that she is complying with what you ask, then when you turn around she is off like a shot and has snatched your keys and hidden in her room somewhere.
3. The hairy one thinks he should go on every car ride– every time we got in the car the dog would try and hop in too.  He would squish between the 2 car seats and pretend to look small.  This is not an easy feat when you big, hairy and weigh more than both children combine and in the back seat of a Honda Fit.
2.My Dad is AWESOME– while Katie was away so was my mom.  But every time I needed some extra help my dad was there willing to take the girls while I when on visits to the hospital, to connect with unexpected meetings with hurting families or to help build a pinewood derby car.
1. I am glad Katie is home- Katie and I are definitely partners in all areas of life (kids, ministry, work, chaos management) so now that she is back it is so wonderful.