new to the fifo thing

[jakeanteleahsmum]

hi ladies
im new to this fifo stuff.i have a 15mth old ds and we are ttc #2 but dp is a biolermaker and so goes where the work is.at the moment he is in dampier for 4weeks then home for maybe 1 and away again for another 2-3.

he has only ever worked away once before so i am finding it really hard.his boss wants to give him a full time job with 3 on 1 of roster.

i would love to know how you ladies get thru it espicially when my ds is getting very clingy and want let mummy out of sit and misses his daddy soooo much.he will walk around house saying daddy and will talk to him on ph but breaks his heart crying when he cant see him or we say goodbye on the ph.

HELP!!!!!:thumbsdown:

[sara-jayne]

hi, i know its hard. my DH started a 4 on 2 off roster (he now does 3weeks on 3 weeks off) when katie was 4weeks old, when we used to go to the airport o pick him i would pass her to him and she would scream like i had walked into a pub and passed her to the first bloke i saw, now that breaks your heart! at least you ds will know daddy when he gets home.

i have an old dvd case, i took the cover out of it and put a photo of dh in each side the taped the bottom of it so dd couldnt get them out, she carries it around with her if she misses daddy and because it is plastic i dont have to worry about her breaking a photo frame and cutting herself.
each night we get daddys photo and we kiss it and say good night to him and i talk about him alot. as soon as she started to talk i taught her

me: where is dad-dad?
dd: all gone
me: where did he go?
dd: work
me: when will dad-dad be home?
(this is where it got tricky)
dd: home
me: yeah, he's comming home, but when?
dd: when
me: katie, dad is at work, when is he comming home?
dd: soon.

so cute, and when im missing him to hear my 2 yr old tell me 'dad home soon' well that is the most reassuring thing ever.

as for him crying for him. katie has a few days each trip just after he goes back to work where she looks for him but the rest of the time i think it is more a matter of her not wanting me. like when im trying to get her to go to bed, she dosent want to lay in bed and cuddle me, she wants to sit in the loungeroom with dad, or nan or pa or anyone else she can think of. jsut stay calm and tell him daddy is at work and he will be home soon.

and for you, after ds is asleep have a bath, or sit outside and have a glass of wine, just be by yourself.
and never underestimate the value of a good cry, if you are having a bad day once ds is asleep jump in the shower and cry all your frustrations out, you will sleep well that night and feel alot better in the morning.

good luck and if you ever need to chat PM me or one of the other girls in this section, we all know what you are talking about.

[GypsyOnTour]

Hey Tiggs! :wave: I've added you to my msn - haven't had a chance to jump online 4 weeks - dp came home 4 a week :( (gone again already) and Imogens teething - she's got her first tooth :D - just turned 6 months. I should be on nearly every evening now - I've decided to cut out Matts day sleep - terrorises me all night otherwise :devil6: and won't go to sleep! (Not that I don't mind the company!) lol!! So I'll catch you soon I hope - are you going to the Spring Festival tomorrow? I was going to but my pram wheels are flat and I can barely push it (3 Wheeler Toddler seat) - where's a man around when you need em aye! :cool:
Hope your well - chat to you soon :kiss:
Jude

[kewlchicmum]

Heya Tigg I to have a DH who does FIFO 2 and 2 mine is I know it can be hard at times esp with my DS does not let me out of his site he is almost 10 months now I am on and off this site most times so you can PM me or add me to your network and we can have a chat if that helps. I find this site really good no matter what time of the day or night....:hugs:

[jakeanteleahsmum]

hi ladies
well its been nearly 4 weeks since dp went away and im going crazy.i have just found out im about 5wks pregnant(will now proper date tomorrow).ds is throwing his first temper tantrums and he's not even 18mths old yet.

i dont know how to add you to my msn so if you want to add me to yours then i can chat with ya's.

hope tochat soon.
tiggs

[Hockeytribe]

Hi all,
My man is about to start FIFO work on the mines too, he used to do it but hasnt worked since i was bout 6 months preg (bub is now 4.5months) and we have another one who is 4,5years!
We were apart for just over a month when he was in jail and it was so hard, bub was only 6 weeks old then.
I think his roster will be 2on 1off which wont be so bad, we could do with some time apart from each other after having him home all day everyday for so long but i think the boys will find it hard.
The photo is a good idea and hopefully we can talk to him on the phone and webcam!

Its hard raising kids on your own but just remember, your never all alone, you can find support in family and friends (and bubhub)!

[Kazamataz]

Something that comes in handy with us is webcams. If your dh can use wireless internet when he's away. Most phone companies now sell little wireless modems and you can get a cheap laptop computer. Then your son can actually see him everyday by talking to him over the net.

[boysandme]

Most women cope - though sometimes i wonder.... It can be really difficult having a partner work away, but so wonderful at others. You just 'do' it while he's away. you know, get on with it. it's making sure he has great time with you and the kids when he is home, each on your own and as a whole family. Then squeeze in some time with his mates, his mum and dad, brothers & sisters blah blah. Maybe look at the walls inside his shed and drive you insane by doing so coz he has to go back to work on Wednesday lol. When fly out day comes, you are usually so exhausted it's almost a relief...It's not for everyone - but we generally love it. There is a distinct pattern of emotions tho and you learn how to deal with it so that u can get the most out of this way of life.
And I agree with kazamataz - webcams are definitely the way to go! And also lots of photo albums and story books with dad's pictures for your little one.