Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."

(Charles M. Schulz)

I've probably mentioned this before, but the down side to being a single parent is that you have nobody to share things with.

When your child does something incredible and wonderful, thus proving once again that he/she is a total genius levels above anyone else's child (yes, even more fantastic than your sister's child or your best friend's offspring), there is nobody to nod proudly and agree with you. (Your sister and best friend are blinded by the love for their own family, and won't be able to see the truth.)

And when you are depressed and confused and ashamed over stupid choices, there is nobody to put their arm around you and share in your trouble. Sure, your sister or your best friend would be there for you if you asked, but I'm talking about the times when you don't want to go to anybody.

When a decision has to be made, a single parent has to figure out the answers alone. Even if there is someone to discuss options with, the ultimate choice has to be made by yourself. Which means that when you make a really bad decision, there is nobody to share the blame. It's extremely depressing. (The plus side is that if, by some wonderful chance you make the right decision, you don't have to share the credit. Or so I believe. I've never actually experienced that, so I'm only talking theory.)

I'm sorry to be such a pessimist. It's been a very long day of a very bad week.