An Exhausting Day in the Life of a Single Canadian Mother

If you're a single mom like Karin, you're likely very used to getting up before sunrise.

That's because there's always so much to do before you get out the door.

At 7 a.m., Karin's son Arlo wakes up and the fun gets started with finding clothes she knows he'll wear. Or, she thinks she knows he'll wear. 

Then, while he gets cleaned up for school, she lays out his clothes and begins preparing his lunch. A healthy lunch could be some pulled chicken and chopped veggies — and maybe a snack or two. 

But raising a smart and inquisitve child means fielding an ever-growing line of questioning, like "what are you doing?" Even before, say, you've had a coffee or washed your own hair. A single parent doesn't have the luxury of handing their child off. 

Even if what you're doing is apparent — like slicing a cucumber or putting a lunch box in a bag — you answer these simple questions with excitement.

And, like in the case of Arlo, if your child has a bit of a meltdown when it comes to whether or not they'll wear snowpants, you respond calmly and sensibly. Even if, say, you may — again — not be awake yet. Well, at this point, you probably are very awake! 

Then comes even more challenges, like maybe your kid doesn't like the pants you've chosen for them. And, well, Arlo lets Karin know and she sensibly talks him out of a meltdown by offering the option to change, but only after he finishes brushing his teeth and takes his medicine. 

Eventually Arlo is dressed and ready to go — they both say goodbye to their cat and walk to school. 

Then Karin turns around, and tiredly makes her way through doing the laundry. Maybe the TV is on in the background, or the radio. 

In no time at all, it's time to pick Arlo up from school, and Karin might ask Arlo about his day. 

Then he'll have a snack or two, watch a show on a tablet and do an activity like paint. The early meltdowns of the day seem like a distant memory. 

Meanwhile, Karin is preparing dinner and asks if Arlo is enjoying it — which, thankfully, he does! 

Then it's time to wind down. 

Karin prepares a bath, and gives herself some me time. And again, like in an instant, it's 8 p.m. — so it's time to put Arlo to bed. 

To watch a full day in the life of a single mother, watch Karin and Arlo's video above!

If you loved this look into the life of a Canadian parent, check out another video in our Through the Eyes Of series here.