Smashing Single Parenthood

8 February 2024

My baby has just turned eighteen … eek!

Yes, Small boy is officially a child no more.

Golly gosh folks, one moment I’m in my thirties, in a Southwest hospital, high on gas and air and crooning Nat King Cole songs to any unfortunate soul passing by the birthing pool room, and the next;  nearly 2 decades have past and my son, the new little being who was born that memorable day, and I are trundling around Tesco stocking up on Vodka and Moretti beer for his coming of age party. Where does the time go?

Where indeed? And on this particular eighteenth, I am also facing the reality that all of my children are now viewed as adults, in the eyes of the law at least. They can vote, serve on a jury and, or course, go to the pub! It is a truly epic journey from the days of formula milk, car seats, ballet classes and Saturday morning football… for me as well as them. Looking back, I actually cannot understand how I ever found the energy to fit everything in!

Exhaustion aside, however, the trip down memory lane is a real joy for this single mum, as she ponders her role in the era of adult offspring. Years and years of good times, shared adventures, crazy capers and much laughter. Of course there have been tense and tricky times too, but one of the nice tricks of my mind, maybe everybody’s is that it tends to filter those out or at least push them into the background letting the brighter pictures and reminiscences dance and shine.

But back to the eve of Small boy’s party, where there is precious little time for looking backwards! We have a house to clear, disco lights to set up, a play list to perfect and costumes to finish off. Costumes? Why yes, my son has a theme; ‘come dressed as a musician‘ is his choice. He and two pals are going as the Bee Gees so, as I blog, he is strutting around the house, in white flares, face-timing his sisters for advice about wigs!

My costume? Now don’t be silly! If 40+ eighteen years olds are descending on my house then I am off out; at least for the first few hours. But if I was to dress up… did I mention that I do great Nat King Cole? Back in the birthing pool, I was singing ‘Let there be love’ . And what a perfect way to end this post, because, as lyrics go, there is no better advice I could give to my grown-up offspring as they launch into the world. Live with your heart, always respect the hearts of others and … the rest will sort itself out!