A Single Dad Weekend with the Boys

Originally written in January 2013 as "Saturday 5th January 2013" — updated with reflections in 2026

Following William's first cinema visit this week, it was my weekend with the boys, which is always something I look forward to. It was meant to start on Friday night, but my youngest, James, spent most of the evening in A&E. He’d followed his big brother up the bunk‑bed ladder… but only William had mastered the “getting down” part. James fell, and the result was a stitch in his ear. So my weekend properly began on Saturday.

Both boys had their usual Saturday morning with Grandad, even if they returned to me completely hyped up on Grandad’s sweets. William, who loves anything kitchen‑related, had been given a utensil kit for Christmas, so we spent a while “playing kitchen.” It was brilliant. He kept making’t interested in making it, but he was definitely interested in eating it. Both boys finished with a yoghurt.

[Image 2. William almost 3 years old, wearing a t-shirt saying Rebel something, as the second word is unreadable.

He is standing in front of floral curtains]

[Image 3. James 18 months old.

He is wearing a stripped t-shirt standing in front of floral curtains and a TV]

After dinner, William went upstairs with Grandad for a shower while James had a bath with me. He loved playing with his multicoloured bath ducks, even if he screamed when it came to washing his hair. What child actually enjoys that part?

Clean and in their pyjamas, they sat with me while I read Peter Pan. Bedtime drinks ready, and then it was time for sleep.

Today felt a little chaotic and very tiring, with not much planned but a lot done. I’ll try to make my time more organised next weekend. Still, it was a lovely daddy day.

2026 Reflection 

Reading this again in 2026, I can see how early this was in my single‑dad weekends. I was still learning how to juggle two boys on my own, from cooking and crafts to naps, baths, and bedtime, way before our Home Schooling journey began, and ealier than their mum and I figured out our co-parenting relationship. These small, slightly chaotic Saturdays became the start of the rhythms we built together, long before I understood how much those early routines would shape us.  

What stands out now is how clearly their personalities were already forming. William with his stories, shapes, and kitchen confidence; James with his cars, ducks, and determination. So many of the moments that later filled our weeks, our conversations, and our little adventures were already here in the background.  

Looking back, this wasn’t a big day, but it was a real one. A simple, tiring, lovely daddy day that helped me understand the kind of parent I was becoming, and the kind of family we were learning to be.

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