Priorities. When it comes right down to it, I have only three of note: first is myself, then is my family, finally would be work and friends. Why does this single dad mention that?
This single dad mentions that because at the moment, the my inner space is a touch out of whack. If you were wondering why I haven’t written as much lately, it’s not because of writer’s block; it’s because item no. 3 from above has finally begun to intrude on my primary concerns. In short, I’ve been a very busy dad lately, meaning, yes, I’m working too much.
I would imagine that this is a common problem with parents generally, and possibly single dads - especially, ones that are highly motivated by the thoughts of their children’ present and future - in particular. We must make money to pay for added responsibilities. Child support, alimony, clothes, health care… all of that costs money. Tack on other items like college planning, private schooling, and other optional items, and suddenly, it might never seem to be enough. So, if you’re like me, then you must work, and work like a dog sometimes, to pay for it.
Lately, though, I have been noticing little warning signs: not writing as much as usual, not sleeping as well, appetite fairly suppressed, and I realized that work and life are out of balance. I started writing on this website because it was something that I enjoyed, and because I wanted to leave my daughter little reminders of how I was thinking when she was a baby. That’s a me thing, and to shirk that in even the smallest thing means that am not looking out for myself. Hence, it’s time to take a step back.
Goodbye, part time job. Oh, how so painfully well I knew ye. Guess I’ll have to find some other way to drop a little extra in the college fund.
Come to think of it, I suppose that I just got my daughter a new pair of shoes last month, and they were pretty inexpensive. I bet she’ll make the rest of the year just fine.