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Sitting at yet another dinner with only my children for company, I could finally see why women whose husbands work at night or work out of town cook their children a separate meal. I didn't quite understand before why they would do nights on end of chicken nuggets or cereal (besides the reason of simply not wanting to cook another meal, which believe me, I understand.) But tonight, after I had put in all the effort for spaghetti sauce, which was wonderful by the way, I sat at the table wishing that I could leave my children there to eat on their own without feeling like a bad mother. I love my kids, I do. And at least some of the time, some of them actually appreciate the fact that I have cooked. But spending another evening meal listening to them talk on and on (I am trying not to use the word "incessantly" as it seems very negative to use on your kids) with their only intended audience being yours truly, made me want to run away crying.

I miss having my husband home to really appreciate the effort I make for dinner, and to listen to everything the kids have to say so that I can zone out once in a while (which I do anyway, but it ends up with them saying "Mommy, mommy, mommy" until I respond.) Let alone missing some actual adult conversation at the dinner table. I am glad that my kids are now fed and happy, but all I wanted to do was take my plate into the living room and read while I ate.

Maybe what I need is a nighttime husband - just someone to come in and fill in from before dinnertime to the time the kids go down. He could offer to help make dinner, help the kids with their homework while I focus on cooking, then talk with me while we eat as well as listening to the kids talk. After dinner he could complement me on the meal, then help clean up, get the kids showered and dressed for bed, and then help tuck them in. Then he could leave - it would be a 3 hour window, 4 max. Know anyone who wants the position? It's only pay is a yummy, home cooked meal and some conversation with a pretty cute lady...