#singlemomissues

Last month I took a solo trip to Cabo San Lucas. It was absolutely amazing. It may have only been 4 days, but they were filled with whatever it was that I wanted to do. I wasn’t on a schedule, and I had no one to consult with when making plans. I didn’t feel guilty about leaving my kids with my parents or not checking in with them all the time. It was heavenly.

I spent time at the beach, just...well, doing absolutely NOTHING! I dined alone and ordered whatever I wanted. I went to bed by 9:00 pm (sometimes earlier) each night, and I slept with the balcony doors open. I ordered room service and ate cheeseburgers in a fuzzy, white bathrobe in my bed, and I spent an entire afternoon at the spa, feeling free and enjoying a well-deserved massage and facial. 

I also did something that I had not done before on my solo travels. I left the resort! It actually wasn’t a big deal at all. This was my third solo trip, so the first two times were baby steps in a foreign country. This time, I was ready to put on my big girl travel pants and step off of the property.

I booked a few tours, including an Outback safari camel ride, which was a lot of fun. A bit more camel poop than I had expected, but well worth the price of admission. Tour guide was absolutely amazing! The rides were two to a camel, so I was paired up with an older gentleman who was vacationing with his two adult children. We actually had a lovely conversation and his family and I ended up sitting together during the complimentary lunch and tequila sampling. 

I also booked a sunset cruise to see the Arch. The view was beautiful, the food was delicious, the crew was entertaining and quite flirty, and good times were had. I was even adopted by several older couples who were fascinated by the fact that I was traveling alone. We danced, we drank, and we sang. 

I love how everyone thinks they know how to raise my son. I love how, I get criticized with my way of parenting. I love how everyone believes that they can undermine what I tell my son and tell him not to listen to his own mother.

I understand that people who have more than one child have more experience, but I don't raise my child the way you raise yours.

I raise my child with kindness and discipline. I talk in a calm soft manner to my child, and only raise my voice slightly when he gets in trouble.

I decide what is best for my child. I decide what he eats, what he watches, and what he listens to. 

I just need people to stop telling me that I am raising my son wrong. I need people to stop telling me to make my son stop playing with dolls, because "it'll turn him gay." I need everyone to stop telling my son he's a fag, because he likes pastel colors and not straight up manly colors. I need everyone to stop telling my son to follow gender roles.

I will raise my son, to be a strong man. I will raise him my way.