In Portland, the arrival of summer typically waits until July 5th. However, this year, it burst onto the scene in mid-June with sweltering temperatures soaring into the 90s. Normally, I would relish the sunshine, but during this specific week, my partner was abroad for work. I was left to manage a rambunctious 100-pound lab and our active 16-month-old, all while juggling a full-time job with a Fortune 500 company.
Having navigated solo parenting during my partner’s trips before, I felt confident in my ability to cope. I anticipated challenges from the heat, but I had a portable AC unit in my daughter’s room and was prepared to endure a bit of discomfort. However, when she woke up at 1 a.m. on night two and refused to settle down, I realized we were in for a rough night. I ultimately brought her into bed with me, where the temperature hovered around a stifling 85 degrees. Sleep eluded us as we tossed and turned, with my daughter finally dozing off around 5 a.m. I seized the opportunity to squeeze in a quick workout, but just 20 minutes into the routine, she woke up again.
Hoping for a few more moments of peace, I gathered everyone—including our panting dog—into the bathroom for a shower. I had an offsite meeting that day where I needed to present, and although I wanted to look polished, I had to settle for my natural, messy curls.
As I sat on the bathroom floor, half-dressed from the shower and entertaining my daughter, my partner FaceTimed from Europe. “Look, it’s the Berlin Wall! I had some free time to explore,” he said, showing me the historical landmark. I tried to absorb the moment while simultaneously fishing tampons out of my daughter’s mouth. Suddenly, our dog began to vomit. I dropped the phone, yelled for the dog, and rushed him outside, all while my daughter screamed in response to my distress. I could only imagine my partner, in Germany, listening to the chaos unfold.
Eventually, I managed to corral everyone into the car just as my partner called back, concerned. “How are you holding up?” he asked. I pride myself on being strong and capable, but this was overwhelming. I burst into tears, saying, “The dog, the heat…”
“What can I do?” he inquired. I glanced at the clock, realizing I was minutes away from being late for my meeting and still needed to drop my daughter off at daycare.
“Could your parents come and install an AC unit?” I suggested.
At 8:55 a.m., just as I pulled into the parking lot for my offsite meeting—which had kicked off at 8:30—I received a text from my father-in-law asking what type of AC unit I wanted. I attempted to reply while navigating a golf course in search of my team. I walked into the meeting room at 8:59, the last person to arrive, and the only available seat was next to the vice president. It was evident everyone had been waiting for me, so I quickly sat down, pulled out my laptop, and shifted gears from frazzled mom to professional.
My phone buzzed incessantly with texts from my father-in-law and my partner checking in. I apologized to the VP and briefly shared my morning’s events. He sincerely offered, “Do you need some time to step outside?” As a new member of the team, I appreciated his kindness but politely declined, trying to maintain a semblance of professionalism. However, the entire room leaned in, curious about my morning saga, and I ended up recounting the whole chaotic story, likely branding myself as the “crazy mom” among my colleagues.
The rest of the day proceeded without incident. I successfully completed my presentation and picked up my daughter, returning home to a cool house, thanks to my wonderful in-laws. The following morning, my boss, who is a mom herself, inquired about my day. As I shared the details, laughter filled the room, and she ended up with tears streaming down her face, saying, “I’m not laughing at you; I’ve been there too.”
For more insights into home insemination and parenting challenges, consider exploring additional resources such as Make a Mom’s guide to Artificial Insemination Kits and Fertility Booster for Men, which can provide valuable information. Additionally, if you have questions about fertility insurance, this resource offers excellent guidance.
In summary, balancing work and parenting can lead to chaotic but relatable situations. Support from family and understanding colleagues can make a world of difference during these challenging moments.
Leave a Reply