Living out of suitcases: the first days you leave

This no home to go to thing is getting very. very. old. I feel like I’m stuck in a Shakespeare loop: Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and…

Ouch. This has been very disruptive, for both me and my son, but I think it’s been harder on me. My kid has my parents, and he’s been spending the night over there as much as possible, especially on school nights because let’s face facts, I don’t have a washer and I don’t have a kitchen, so clean uniforms and a packed lunch are rather difficult right now.

But I’m thinking about you moms out there who might have fled a bad, abusive marriage, and are without your safety net. Living out of a suitcase isn’t fun.

But you can survive it. Find some time for yourself, even if it’s taking the toddler to story time at the library and sitting quietly a few feet away. If your children go to school, don’t feel guilty about taking a little time in the local cafe. And do say yes to every play date or dinner with the family invitation you get.

And stick to your routine as much as possible. Kids need it, and you do too. Besides, when you’ve locked yourself in the bathroom waiting for everyone to sleep, look on it as an ideal time to read a book, eat that forbidden candy bar, and maybe do your toenails if you’re that kind of girl.

And if you have to cry? Do it in the shower. It kind of covers the noise.

It gets better. Really.

Any of you have first nights stories to share? I know many of you became single mothers through many routes. What support and advice would you give a woman who has to start her whole life over?