. . . is brutal.  I can see why officers and detectives would like it with all the cool cases and weirdos, but it sure wreaks havoc on family life.  Let me explain.

1)  First off, Ken’s “weekend” is now on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Enough said.  The children and I are all at work/school. On our true weekends I’m trying to keep the kids quiet so Ken can sleep.  This morning the whole family went to the do the grocery shopping, just so we could spend some time TOGETHER.

2)  Secondly, Ken sleeps late in the mornings.  And so he should, since his shift ends at 1:30 AM.  Problem is, try getting 3 kids up and ready for school without making noises.  Impossible.

3)  Dinner schedules.  Should I cook a full meal for just the kids and I on the off-chance that Ken could come home to join us?  Sometimes it’s just easier to make sandwiches or macaroni and cheese.  Yes, me too.  Scrap South Beach.  Or, like last week, I made tilapia with brown rice and steamed veggies.  That was the night that Ken didn’t make it home for dinner.

4)  My work schedule.  I used to get home about 5-5:15pm.  Now I have to rush to get home to get the kids.  That means that I have to bring more work home to do, something I would much rather not do.

I am glad, however, that it’s only for a month.   His last night is October 19th.  I am really looking forward to that.