Missing Out

As single parents, we often deal with the nagging thought that our kids are missing out.

My girls are missing out on their fathers. "Half my heart is missing," Aly used to tell me. As a by-product, they're missing a second set of grandparents, and someone to make Father's Day gifts for at school.

But they're also missing out on smaller matters, like the vacations my parents were able to take my sister and I on, or the energy two parents bring to the home.

Recently, we took in a dog. I knew for a fact that I had no more time or energy to give, but at 13, it was plausible that Aly might, so we gave it a shot.

It was quickly clear that this was just one more thing to nag her about. She LOVED having the dog to sleep with, pet and play with, but walks and potty breaks were soon forgotten. Before long, there were accidents in the house that could have been avoided and resentment grew.

And I had a feeling it would work this way. But I have a hard time fighting that voice in my head that says I need to be everything that two parents should be to my girls. That they shouldn't do without every experience I had.

We've since found the dog a better home, with that "perfect" family of a work-from-home mom and a dad probably raking in enough money for the future vet bills. Some families are just better suited for these things.

We're thinking about trying a cat in a while. And I am NOT a fan of cats. But regularly petting an animal is known to extend your life, and at least a cat would have a litter box (UGH!) at its disposal.

My girls deserve - maybe not every opportunity, but most opportunites - so I'll live with it. Their happiness is my reward.