Successful Solo Parenting Weekend

My husband was given the opportunity to fly out to Washington D.C. to assist in security for the 2025 Inauguration of Donald Trump. So, that left me at home with the 3 kids as a solo parent for 4 whole days over a weekend. A weekend where there was no school on Monday due to MLK Day and no school on Tuesday because it was "too cold" for the kids to go to school (it was -20 degrees that morning, burrrrrr).

First of all, this opportunity was an incredible one. My husband was able to fly to D.C. with a couple other officers from his department and about another 100 more from surrounding agencies to assist 3,800 other law enforcement officers for security for this big event. Whether he could go wasn't up for debate as this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

So, I was left with the 3 kids on a long 4 day weekend with no school.

When I am solo parenting over the weekends, I try to plan for my parents to visit for a day as the kids love spending time with their grandparents and it helps alleviate the pressure off of me for a few hours. So, we planned on them spending a whole day with us. I also asked my mother in law to join us for an afternoon so the kids could also spend some time with her as well.

But, little did I know that our weekend would end up jam packed with activities.

I planned a short play date Saturday morning which was great both for the kids and myself to get in some "mom time" with another mom I am good friends with. After the play date, we went home to eat lunch and I was reminded of a surprise birthday party we were invited to that my husband forgot to tell me about. So, we jumped in the car and off we went to this surprise birthday party.

I only planned to stay for an hour or two at this party but we ended up spending the whole afternoon there! It was so fun to catch up with neighbors and friends I hadn't seen in a while (it's winter here so we don't see them much right now as compared to summer). Then we spent the evening at home.

Sunday, my parents came to visit the entire day. The kids had a blast and I was able to organize the pantry and different parts of the kitchen and take a nap to refresh.

Monday, was MLK Day so there was no school. I was able to watch the inauguration and got my 6 year old involved with it too. My mother in law came over to see the kids and I was able to fold all my laundry. We also had an sporting activity that evening that we all packed up and went to for my 6 year old. My neighbor came over after dinner with some garbage truck toys she had found for us. My toddler loves garbage trucks right now. So they stayed and played for about an hour. No more than 15 minutes after they had left, my toddler had fallen asleep in his chair watching TV. Thank goodness, because bedtimes for him can be a very long process.

Tuesday, we had no school because it was so cold outside, they cancelled school. My toddler still had his sporting activity that morning so we bundled up and braved the cold. We had a relaxing day the rest of the day. And my husband came home that evening.

This 4 day solo parenting weekend was an unplanned one. But, I found that having lots of activities, outside of the house, was what the family needed to get through it all together. I've had weekends where we didn't leave the house or see anyone and it was a long and stressful weekend. But, I have learned that if we all get out of the house each day, and spend time with family and friends, it makes the time go by so much faster and smoother.

Packing up 3 kids and taking them out in public can be a huge ask for some parents to do but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Sometimes, we just go to Target and walk around just to get out of the house. We don't have a mall closer than 30 minutes away from us, otherwise we would go there just to run around and get out of the house.

I encourage you police wives, on your next solo parenting adventure, to plan play dates, get out of the house, go see family or have them come to you, play outside if it isn't crazy cold out like it was here that weekend, and have fun with your kids at home. Also, ask for help!! I always tell my parents and mother in law when I will be alone and they always come to help. I am very fortunate that I have this support system nearby me.

I have found that this is the easiest way to get through the solo parenting days.

I hope this helps a fellow police wife on her next adventure in solo parenting.