Rob is out of town this week, and I decided to go it alone (with Scarlett) for three nights. This was no small decision. Though I used to love a night or two on my own while Rob traveled for work (think cereal for dinner and bad tv), there are now so many details to think through, and so much planning required, that it’s become more stressful than fun. In a practical sense, it would be easier to have someone stay at the house with me, and there is no shortage of people who would be happy to do that.

But I want to do it myself. I want to have dinner with my daughter, give her a bath, read to her, put her to bed, and watch crap TV until my own bedtime. I want to be the one to guide her back to her room when she wanders out at 10pm, lost in the sleepy confusion of a dream. Am I being independent or stubborn? Probably a bit of both.

Of course, I would never put Scarlett in a dangerous situation. Here’s the main reason that it’s possible for me to stay home with only a 4-year-old to help with the tough stuff: because she can help. Read More>