more single parenthood

While Ryan's work schedule has been less than ideal since we moved home, his current project has been quite a doozy! Many projects are 2-3 months total but this one has been going on since last winter with long-ish hours most of that time.  As many projects are, this one has been delayed several times and the original end date of last July in now promised to happen in the next week or two. 
I don't like referring to myself as a single-parent in these times because I know I have it WAY easier than true single-parents and that the financial support all of Ryan's hard work provides are just an added burden for those really going it alone.  That said, life's still tough right now-for all of us.  I have always been happy to take on lots of the tasks on the home-front as I think that's part of the contribution of  a stay at home partner (man or woman.)  I will say bike repair, tree cutting, and advanced lawn care were areas I was always happy to save for Ryan that I've had to tackle in the last week. It is nice to feel independent and to know I can handle just about anything on my own with Ben in tow, but it's also nice to experience life with the partner that I chose and love.  
It has been eye-opening how much the 20 minutes of solitude I get when Ryan puts Ben to bed effects my attitude and energy levels, not to mention the difference 30 minutes of post-dinner Dad play-time has on our whole life.  Having those 30 minutes each day to do dishes and pick up the house before another day begins are priceless and allow me to exercise and do other tasks without guilt while Ben is at preschool. 
It's also really hard not to be mad at a company that lets their employees work 20 hours a day for days on end after months of 60-80 hour weeks.  I am envious of those able to find a work/life balance while still advancing their careers but when I look around at friends and neighbors, I see proof that it's possible.  
Right now we are focused on the light at the end of the tunnel that is the end of this project and after that we will actively work on finding a better balance for all of us.  
The deeper point of this soap-box rant is that I know I have it SO great compared to parents really going it alone.  That doesn't mean the tough days and struggles aren't justified but at the end of those challenging days I think about Ben's birth mom and her day-to-day life on her own with two kiddos.  And then I think about Ben and all that is BEN being added to that mix and I am overwhelmingly grateful for the way life has worked out for all of us!