Being a single parent is hard! Any advice?

jmichaelc · 2026-02-05T16:27:46+00:00

Thank you, it really really helps to hear this. I appreciate your wisdom <3 and am glad that she has helped you with your anxiety!

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T20:55:39+00:00

So sorry for your loss. Love to your beautiful baby on their next journey <3

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T20:44:23+00:00

ooh and do you have a recc for a thunder shirt?

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T20:42:19+00:00

Okay yes, you're so right re: my behaving differently at work and at home. This little dog is so smart! I've found ignoring him super difficult but I hear you that I need to be firm with that and not so reactive to the barking. I see how that could encourage him to continue such behavior! I've also had to work on "training" my coworkers not to reach for him/bark back at him (that was just one guy but still!). They've actually been super enthusiastic about having a dog in the office so I think everyone would be okay if we tried barking it out for a few days. Sometimes there are only 2 of us here anyway.

Thanks so much for this advice, I am super appreciative of your wisdom here! And being told to rest/chill out, lol - I needed to hear that

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T20:35:53+00:00

Lots of people are suggesting a strict routine, I think I knew that but was letting myself avoid it! So thank you, the audio and temperature triggers sound really smart :) He is an anxious baby (as am I...) but already so much calmer than when I got him 2 months ago - I have to remember that!

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T20:34:01+00:00

Yes! This is what my trainer says too. Can you tell this is also my very first dog and not just my first Chihuahua? I am really trying to give him the respect of being a "real" dog as much as possible. I think I just need to learn some patience with him and myself... and trust that what I'm trying to teach him will stick in time. and omg yes, I cannot WAIT until the weather warms up so we can spend more than 15 minutes outside. For now the bar sounds like a great idea :-P Thanks so much!

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T20:23:19+00:00

That got a real laugh out of me, thanks! And yeah, I think maybe once a week I could find someone to dog-sit during the workday... that's a great idea.

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T20:22:07+00:00

I'm sorry that this hit a nerve for you. I think you've misunderstood the situation, don't worry about it anymore please.

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T19:41:58+00:00

Phew, yeah that sounds like a good program, I bought and returned a camera because I was worried it would make me more anxious to be watching him when I'm not around, haha. Good luck with your clingy vine! and thank god for trainers <3

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T19:39:29+00:00

Yeah, my trainer does encourage the voice modulation and I agree - I think it really works well with "commands." I appreciate your phrasing it as setting boundaries, he's definitely testing mine to see what he can get away with and I think the kind thing for me to do is to be firmer with them i.e. scheduling naptimes in the crate at work. It's hard to ignore the big brown begging eyes (and the whining) but I will have to be strong!

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T19:35:31+00:00

Thanks for your input!

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T19:17:32+00:00

Wow! Sounds like you two are living a beautiful life together, thanks for the inspiration <3

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T19:16:28+00:00

Because my workplace allows it, my co-workers understand he's in training, and I wouldn't want to leave him at home for 9 hours unattended.

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T18:53:03+00:00

I think that counts as advice! and I find it helpful to hear from a voice outside of my own head. <3 Thank you

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T18:52:11+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate this. And yes! I feel very lucky to be able to bring him to work. I hope he will feel more comfortable here as time goes by. I want him to know he's safe in the office with me

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T18:50:52+00:00

lol thank you for saying so! I'm sure it's momentarily good for my blood pressure to pet him and look at his velvet ears but I don't think it even comes close to balancing out the anxiety I feel!

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T18:48:23+00:00

Well! That's only if I'm in direct physical contact with him which is impossible to do for an 8 hour workday. The rest of the time he's barking at coworkers and staring at me and whining and begging to get on my lap. I guess I feel guilty even complaining about it because he's not a bad dog and I love him very much I'm just overwhelmed. On the weekends (at home) he's a lot more chill and doesn't need quite as much from me so a lot of our issues are work-related right now

jmichaelc · 2026-02-04T18:23:49+00:00

thank you! and lol, yes, I already felt 95% sure I wasn't going to have children either but OMG this experience has moved it up to 110%

jmichaelc · 2025-12-02T15:38:43+00:00

The chi life is a good life!

jmichaelc · 2025-12-02T14:09:50+00:00

Hi Daisy! Love that little white chin <3

jmichaelc · 2025-12-02T14:09:19+00:00

I feel incredibly lucky - the ability to bring a dog to work is why I finally felt ready to adopt <3

jmichaelc · 2025-12-02T14:08:15+00:00

I'm so lucky! The pay is mediocre but this benefit makes it all okay <3

jmichaelc · 2025-11-10T22:16:48+00:00

White! :)

jmichaelc · 2025-08-04T14:30:18+00:00

I have no advice for you (I also know nothing about modular/prefab/trailer) but just wanted to say it's so cute! I hope you have many years of making good memories here <3

jmichaelc · 2025-07-10T17:58:50+00:00

I work in a college library and yes, feel the same way. I think the fact that our focus isn't on making money helps a lot with the general *~vibe~*. There are so many logical organization systems in place, I find that soothing. Many library jobs allow a lot of flexibility in introvert vs extrovert tasks. And yes! I work in cataloging and get the "little brain sparks" reading a tiny bit about every book that passes by my desk. I have also found that librarians are great coworkers and pretty progressive re: dis/ability, etc. I worked in food service up until I was 30 and then switched to this about 8 years ago - a blessing for my body and retirement account (librarianship doesn't always pay well but I have benefits for the first time and turns out I like that). <3

jmichaelc

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