Glimpse in to Parenthood

For the past week, we've had the step son.  This is the longest amount of time that he's stayed with us and it revealed a lot to me.  The biggest thing was that kids take a lot of time and consideration.  I was driving to work this morning and was toying with the idea of seeing if a friend wanted to grab a late lunch since I'll get out of work around 1, but then I had to think of the step son and what the plans were for him.  If the hubster wanted me to see him or if he wanted us to have lunch together.  I think then got to thinking about how much face time I've had with the step son this week, and I was surprised at how little it was.  Definitely not good if I was a "real" parent.  Of course, the hubster spent all his time with him, but as a "step parent",  I think I failed or at least I felt I had failed.  Here's a breakdown of my week with the step son:

• Friday - Cleveland for state finals, left before the hubster picked him up
• Saturday - Cleveland for state finals, got home at 10
• Sunday - movies, errands, spent day with family
• Monday - work and run, first contact at 7:30 pm
• Tuesday - work, can't remember
• Wednesday - work, dentist, gym - first contact at 7:30 pm
• Thursday - work and golfing with coworkers - no contact
• Friday - work, will see before he goes home

Out of the 8 days, there are only 2 days where I spend more than 2 hours with him.  My current lifestyle is not suited for kids.  It may be because he's not my kid that I'm not that invested in him yet.

I've also noticed that having him around makes my laundry and dish load quadruple.  Ever since last August, I've exclusively hand washed my dishes.  I think on the odd occasion where I am out of town, the hubster will do a load.  In the week that he's been here, I've used the dishwasher 3 times!  WTF!  How does one little person cause so much change?  I think the hubster wears more clothes when the step son is around too.  I think I've already explained how the step son where's three outfits a day and also apparently, doesn't re-use bath towels.  The last thing might not be so uncommon, but when I was growing up, we used the same towel for a week, then it got washed.  I know some who use a new towel for each shower.  So maybe that's how he does it at home.

My house has gotten way messier in the week that he's been here.  It's like I have no time to clean.  I've already told the hubster that once he leaves, we're both going to spend the weekend getting our house back into order.

So this has been my foray into parenthood.  A little shocked, but hopefully, next month it will be easier, but I think the next time we have him for a week, I'll be spending the majority of time in Vail.  So maybe I'll never get used to it.