Support for parents who partners work away

[babyno1onboard]

Hi, thought I'd start a thread for those who have partners who work away. It's tough sometimes and having others to talk to who understand would be good.

My DP works away usually for 5 weeks at a time but sometimes longer.

Who else's partner works away? What tips do you have for staying sane?

[babyno1onboard]

Ahhh how do I change the title? The first 'partners' is meant to be 'parents'....

[LoveLivesHere]

I reported it to the mods for help for you

[Mod-DJ Nette]

DH has been working away since August. Gets home a few days a month and it has been pretty tough.

We have just had 2 weeks holiday all together (we have a 2 year old DD) and it has been so great, I'm dreading him heading away on Monday.

Would love to chat to others who understand.

[Rose&Aurelia&Hannah]

I used to be one. But as of this month dh and I are back under one roof after living interstate from each other for the past two years.

[mint80]

My DH isn't away full time but often goes to work in the early hours and gets home late and never gets to see the kids. I often parent solo for weeks at a time.
How do others juggle DH getting rest and downtime versus spending time with the kids?

[babyno1onboard]

I find the hardest time is the first few days after DP goes back to work. His two boys also then go back to their mum's so the household goes from a family of five to me and a baby.

DD gets really upset too, and she's only 6 months old! The first couple of times he left since DD was born the adjustment was just in my part but when DD was 4 months she got upset for a day and this time she cried for two days and wouldn't let me out of sight. She also wouldn't sleep in her cot so it was back to co-sleeping after all the effort we out into transitioning her into her cot. I'm guessing it's going to worse the older she gets!? It's heartbreaking. She's def a daddy's girl and misses him like crazy.

[Myztik]

DF is fifo and had been since before I met him. He's used to it where as its all new to me (well nearly 2yrs of it now anyway).
Does anyone else find they get angry at their partner the first few days after they leave? I know it irrational and I try not to take it out on him, instead I tend to withdraw and go very quiet, because it's not fair of me to do so. I knew what he did when I met him. I just don't find it getting any easier I guess...

He is at the end of his first swing back after long service leave so we had 10wks together and my boys and I moved into his house. So it's the first time I've been alone here since the move, I'm in a totally new area, new schools etc. It's been pretty tough.

[Aquillah]

It is tough. What is the length of his swing?

[Myztik]

Only 2/1 so I feel silly complaining really. I don't know how people do 4/1 or more. It's strange though as I spent almost 5yrs single before we met so it's not like I'm not used to being home alone lol.