Back to Solo Mum Life: Resetting My Routine After Holiday Without Family Help

Back to reality after one month of holiday…

I mean, holiday life is still reality, but it’s a different one. And it’s way too short.

When I go on holiday, I go home to my parents, my brother. They are my village, just a flight away. I’m not gonna lie… I’m a better parent when I’m there.

I get to say things like: “I’m going to take a shower,” and actually mean it because I know I’m covered. It’s nothing wild. Just the bare minimum of having other people around and honestly, that feels like luxury to me.

People say to me: “You should move back here!” And I get it.

But there are things missing for me there, and I’m happy where I am now.

Still, can I have a moan about how hard it is to be solo parenting? Because damn.

Even if I chose this life (kind of chose it…let’s say life chose for me a bit), it’s still so heavy sometimes.

Solo parenting is a different game...

It’s not impossible. I make it work, but it takes so much more out of me.

I have to care for my mental and physical health every single day, because burnout is always lurking around the corner.

People think I’ve got some perfect, tidy schedule? Nope.

I do have a routine, but if you compare it to the ones you see on social media… forget it. Mine’s basic and flexible and works well for us. Every day is different.

Weather, kids’ moods, my energy levels..they all dictate how the day goes.

Like the other day? We got dressed twice, left the house twice… and both times came straight back because it started raining.

One child wanted to stay in, the other wanted to go out.

Me? Just trying to keep everyone happy without losing my mind.

Here’s what a typical day looks like now that we’re back home, still on holiday from homeschooling:

• Wake up, kids playing while tv is on so I can grab myself a coffee

• Prepare breakfast while they keep playing

• We eat together, and my brain’s already racing about the next thing

• Cartoons are still on so I can take the quickest shower of my life

• Help the kids to get ready for the day

• Weather permitting: park, walk, or just the garden because some days I can’t face packing bags and leave the house with both of them

• Lunch, then… let’s be real, cartoons again because I need time to think or do housework. I also need some time to be on my laptop.

• Snack, playtime in or out, then dinner prep begins

  
  

And that’s my day. Every day. Constantly being interrupted, constantly needed, constantly trying to keep everyone happy, fed and loved.

And yes, I know “the housework can wait” and “kids are little only once”, but someone’s gotta cook or nobody eats… not that they eat much anyway 🙃

Mental Load Hits Different Solo

What nobody sees is how mentally draining it is to do this 24/7 with no family support.

I’m always on. Even when I sit down, my brain’s already running through the next meal, next mess, next meltdown.

Here’s how I manage it:

I’m someone who loves a clean house, especially waking up to a tidy kitchen and no smelly dishes. If I start the day with chaos around me, it sets my mood off straight away.

A cluttered house equals a cluttered brain for me.

But trying to do it all perfectly? Forget it. That’s just another way to burn out.

Instead, I use little energy sprints throughout the day. After meals, I do a quick clean.

The kitchen gets done in chunks so that by dinner time, it’s manageable.

Toys? They stay on the floor most of the day and that’s fine. Before bedtime, I teach my kids to help tidy up little by little so they’re learning responsibility and it doesn’t pile up on me.

Some days, I have more energy and do a proper reset. Some days, I’m drained and I clock out early. I order a takeaway, leave what’s left for tomorrow, and focus on sitting and playing with the kids a little longer.

And I’ve learned to say something I used to struggle with: “No”

No, mum’s having a drink right now.

No, mum just sat down, I’ll be with you in five minutes.

No, I’m eating, we’ll play after.

Boundaries with my kids.

Boundaries with myself.

Because I matter in this house too and if I’m running on empty, everything else crashes.

Thanks for reading

If you made it this far, I appreciate you so much.

Solo parenting isn’t easy, and if you feel like you’re drowning some days, you’re not alone. We’re all just figuring this out one messy, beautiful day at a time.

Come say hi on Instagram @silvia.london89 

or drop me an email at thepracticalparent1@gmail.com

I’d love to hear your thoughts.