[GenomicsGirl]

My dh travels a couple of weeks a month (and sometimes over the weekend, like this weekend). It's tiring, yes, but I often enjoy the time I'm alone. I find the house gets less messy, I get more "housekeeping" stuff done, I get more organized, and I can make whatever I want for supper. I find it hard in the mornings to get everyone dressed, fed and in the car to drop the older boys off at preschool. We're always late. It's just preschool, and it's only 4 hours, so I don't stress about it too much, but it would be nice to be on time once in a while!

What do you like about doing things on your own? What's the hardest thing for you? What's your favourite time of day?

 

[ApplePieBaby]

My husband is in the USMC so he deploys here and there. He just got back in August... he'd been gone for about 8 months. Before that, he'd been home for 9, after a 6 month deployment. He's not supposed to go anywhere until 2010, although that could change at any time.

 

[Jilian]

My H does not travel but he works a lot and often isn't home until after the kids are in bed so I'm on my own for most of the day most days of the week. It can be difficult, especially on days where I am not feeling well and just need a rest but we have a good little routine down that works. Actually, I find that when DH is home early it throws off the routine and things are more hectic. But we manage, it is part of what we have to do in order for me to be able to stay home with the kids for a few years.

 

[Cali2SC]

My dh is in Boston this week.

But he'll be back on Sunday!

: We are usually pretty inseparable when he is home, so I do miss him while he is away. This year hasn't been too bad. (One year he was gone 222 out of 365 days- that was rough and I don't think I would have dealt with it very well if preg.) My favorite part of the day is the mornings when I have energy to get a bunch of stuff done and the afternoons when I can relax and take my time (instead of rushing to get things done before he comes home). The hardest part is falling asleep at night. The dog is refusing to snuggle with me, instead sleeping by the door in case he comes home.

I do tend to take a little more time for myself when he is gone which is esp. nice because soon I'll be giving all of my time to a new babe!

to all! I hope everyone's SO has safe travels and returns home soon!

 

[ChaoticMum]

My DH is starting a new job next month where he's gone 8-9 days, in for 5-6 days. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to take hold of organization of the budget. Right now I try to spend a certain amt on groceries for example and then he goes and buys a bunch of stuff I didn't plan on.....

I am going to miss his hands on Dad approach tho - but at least when he's home those 5 days he's HOME full time - and will be just as hands on if not more.

 

[jlmack45]

My DH is a Marine, currently deployed to Iraq. he will be home about two months after baby is born. The hardest for me is dealing with L's tantrums when Daddy calls. The easiest is the mornings when we have our still quiet time.... you know~ breakfast, cuddling, and Elmo! I like the fact that I stayed in my own home and I don't have to be around a lot of people, they tend to scrutinize everything I do to make sure I am holding up ok. It gets annoying, the "poor you" attitude, like we can't handle this. That's the way my family acts for the most part. I like having my own routine and I can deviate from it and it affects no one.

 

[SmoothieMom]

Yes, my DH travels all the tme for work, he is in CHina right now for 10 days, he goes to NYC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Germany, Dubai, South Africa, Brazil, England, India he is somewhere every month or so.

 

[GenomicsGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmack45 It gets annoying, the "poor you" attitude, like we can't handle this. That's the way my family acts for the most part. I like having my own routine and I can deviate from it and it affects no one.

Well, I definitely feel for you military moms who go for such long stretches on your own! But I also get tired of the "poor you" attitude that my family gives me. Their first question is always: Is Ian in town? Ummm... Really? That's your first question?

By the way, we're practically neighbours (in the grand scheme of things) as I'm in Raleigh!

 

[jlmack45]

I'll be in Raleigh on the 2nd. I have to get my brother from the airport and then he and I are driving back to Missouri. My parents pulled the "please don't travel alone with L and being pregnant" and made a big production of it. So I am allowing my brother to fly here and drive back with me... I figured I'd give them peace of mind instead of a piece of mine! lol! I'm going home for a month so that they can get reaquainted with my daughter.

 

[spiritedmama]

Hugs to you military moms, it must be tough! You really are superwomen....

 

[GenomicsGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlmack45 I'll be in Raleigh on the 2nd. I have to get my brother from the airport and then he and I are driving back to Missouri. My parents pulled the "please don't travel alone with L and being pregnant" and made a big production of it. So I am allowing my brother to fly here and drive back with me... I figured I'd give them peace of mind instead of a piece of mine! lol! I'm going home for a month so that they can get reaquainted with my daughter.

Wow - a month! I hope it goes well! Did you have a falling out or do you just not have a chance to see eachother?

I had a falling out with my parents and they didn't see DS1 for about a year while we weren't communicating. It was easier for me NOT to talk to them as it caused too much stress at the time. We are OK now, though, and I even spent 9 weeks with them last summer! They're coming to Raleigh for about 5-6 weeks and will hopefully be here for the new baby's arrival

 

[jlmack45]

All of our parents (4 sets of them) live in Iowa and Missouri. We only get back there once every 6 months and we stay for the maximum the USMC will allow, 14 days. I moved to NC when I was 35 weeks pregnant with her so cumulatively they have seen her for about a month out of 18 months.

Our last trip back was in September so it's about time for us to visit again and I've been wanting to get out of Jacksonville for awhile... I am welcoming the trip, but I know I'll be ready to come back to my own home before long. With my brother's death last year, my mother has really needed someone so I am going to be spending more time with her... that should be interesting to say the least, but still comforting.

 

[famille_huggins]

My husband is a physician recruiter and travels about 25% of the time for work. He's generally gone 2-3 days at a time. It's amazing when he's gone how much cleaner the house is (even with our two kids still at home). He swears he's not the mess-maker, but I think we have our proof.

It's easier to prepare dinner, or the kids and I will eat out and share a meal. We're more inclined to spend more time at the park instead of worrying about chores (since the mess-maker is out of state). Also, I get the whole bed to myself, which makes it much easier and much more comfortable for sleeping.

We have fun when he's gone, but boy, we all love it when he comes home again -- even if he does bring a mess home with him.

 

[GenomicsGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by famille_huggins It's easier to prepare dinner, or the kids and I will eat out and share a meal. We're more inclined to spend more time at the park instead of worrying about chores (since the mess-maker is out of state). Also, I get the whole bed to myself, which makes it much easier and much more comfortable for sleeping. We have fun when he's gone, but boy, we all love it when he comes home again -- even if he does bring a mess home with him.

We're the same way! We didn't get home until 5:30 yesterday evening, we had a light supper of raw veggies, dip, crackers and cheese, then did bath & bed! It's just more laid back. My dh is messy, too, and I definitely don't miss his mess when he's gone, either