Breakfast for Dinner
Hubby was out of town for a couple of days last week. So for the first time in over a year, it was just me and the boys. He used to travel a good bit for work, but when COVID shut everything down, it was nice to have him home every night (and all day since we're talking about it).
When Hubby is away - my version
I turn into more of a control freak than normal. I get rigid in the schedule because it all falls on me. Meals, school schedules, bath time, cleaning - you know the drill. Keeping them alive and well, alone is a full-time job. While I take on most of these responsibilities day to day, Hubby is VERY hands-on and helps tremendously. I praise all single parents out there; you guys are the real MVPs.
Hubby cleans up nice!
When he’s away, I revert to the ‘sleep when the kids are sleeping’ mentality. Purely because I’m exhausted once they go to bed. I tend to fill the day, so I’m not anxious about him not being here. (I’ll write a blog later about how I redid the entire office while he was gone.) Why do I do this to myself? My thought is, if I make myself tired enough, I’ll be able to sleep. Some people enjoy a big empty bed, not me! Ask Hubby. I sleep right in the middle because I’m most comfortable right beside him (until I get hot and start throwing covers). Long story short, I hate when he’s away. However, I am so grateful for the opportunities that are constantly laid before him. He’s completely deserving and works so hard for me and the boys. The least that I can do is hold down the fort when he’s handling business.
When Daddy is away - the boys’ version
They hate it, too… simple as that. However, as they’ve gotten older, they understand that he has to travel sometimes. That still doesn’t stop them from literally counting down the minutes until he returns. I can say that their behavior is outstanding (for the most part) when he’s away. He may or may not threaten them within an inch of their lives if they drive me crazy while he is gone. He takes time to empower them before every trip. He tells them they have to take care of me while he’s gone. Well, they eat that up. It’s fun to watch my little dudes trying to go above and beyond to be helpful (why can’t they do that when he’s here - whatever, I’ll take it when I can get it).
RX has had Hubby wrapped around his finger since he was born. HOWEVER, this is the moment I knew it was over for me. They are daddy's boys!!
Dana, what does any of this have to do with breakfast for dinner?
It’s about comfort. As I mentioned, I’m usually super anxious while he is away. The boys naturally feed off my energy. So when he’s away, I do my best to make memories with just the 3 of us to ease the angst. Breakfast is our all-time favorite meal. We can eat it any time of day. Hubby likes breakfast, but he doesn’t have a crazed obsession as we do. Hubby would rather have fried chicken and black-eyed peas over rice. Give us grits, eggs, sausage, french toast, or biscuits ANYTIME! Well, when daddy is away… we eat breakfast for dinner. It’s something the boys always look forward to. This time they wanted to make it special, so they "surprised" me with a movie evening (really, it was just an excuse to eat in the living room). They set up the blanket and turned on Toy Story 4. It was a welcomed break in the evening, and I love them for recognizing that I needed a minute.
No one said I had to cook the breakfast, Waffle House always hits the spot! Don't make things hard for yourself if you don't have to. This picture is hilarious. Waffle House... I have 2 new spokesmen for you!
I’m always trying to discover new ways to decompress. Sometimes all it takes is breakfast with my boys. As long as you are present in the moment, it can be just that simple. Stop and smell the roses, or the waffles, your choice!
Grace, Space, and Love,
