Hey girl, I’m calling
Cause I got your text
Seems you might need a hug
And a minute to vent
So you spent one more night
Trying to find the words
To explain that joint parenting
Means JOINT WORK!
That what he can’t pay for
Can be supplemented with time
Especially since you’re working
And studying at night
He seems to believe
That you are well paid
Even though you are overqualified
For a job that you hate
But you stay cause you have to
And your boss knows that well
But her singing your praises
Is not paying your bills
And you’re tired I know
Because you tell me so
From the bullshit at work
To the bullshit at home
Cause he said he was coming
But then something came up
You finally made plans
But now you are stuck
He says they can visit
Now that he’s moved away
As long as you pay for
Plane tickets each way
Now he’s taking you to court
Because he has not seen them
But has not paid ANY child support
Since you left him
You are buying the school clothes
Supplies and new shoes
Paying for aftercare
Shopping for good schools
There’s soccer, dance class
And pediatric care
Dropping off, picking-up
Brushing her hair
Managing the five emotions
they have in five minutes
Begging for bathroom privacy
until you are finished
All this seems to happen
In a matter of weeks
You are wanting to scream
You can barely speak
So just bring them over
You need some time
To breath, do yoga,
Sleep and unwind,
Have sex if you want to
Do nothing at all
They can hang with their auntie
I was waiting for your call
And here is some money
For that overdue bill
Some tickets to a play
A container with a meal
Don’t fight me just take it
You deserve a full day
To get yourself centered
To just get away
And when you return
Feeling rested and loved
You’ll get your children, a small bag of dirty clothes
And that hug.
This brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
I’m not a single mother and I come from a two parent household. But that doesn’t mean I’m blind to the plight of the single mothers. I’ve even made a small resolution in my heart to try to be helpful to a single mother in any capacity that I can. I’m too old to go see Madagascar 3 by myself so taking a little one with me is the perfect excuse right? Plus it’ll give their mommy some free time… 🙂
A-fricking-MEN. This was me years ago. For all the other single momma’s out there, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Not sure how I kept my mind all those years, but I did. You will too! And BIG BIG PROPS to all the Auntie’s out there – we couldn’t have done it without you. They are as much your children as they are “ours”.
SINGLE MOTHERS ROCK! HOLLA!
Thank you for this. It is so needed.