I'm a single parent - half the time! If that makes sense to you then we have something in common.
My husband has worked away from home for 10 years. We have three kids, a farm, and a very solid relationship. Over the years I've discovered how to keep our relationship strong and our kids content. Here's the best advice I can give:
- Be faithful and never doubt your spouse.
- Talk on the phone EVERY night. You don't have to talk long just find out how the day went and tell your spouse what you and the kids did - even if its nothing out of the ordinary. Always end you call with "I Love You".
- Don't have a big 'honey-do' list waiting when your spouse gets his time off. Do your best to take care of the home front yourself.
- Make sure to spend time with your spouse when he is at home. Plan to do stuff as a family and let him know you missed him.
- Remember to keep your spouse 'in the loop'. Ask his opinions and get his advice - even if you know what to do. It's important that he has a say in how home is run. You don't want him to feel like a cash machine.
- If possible take the kids and spend the summer where your spouse is working.
- Should the opportunity arise (like unexpected days off – but not enough to come home) drop everything and fly out to where your spouse is for a long weekend.
Make no mistake, its hard when one parent works away from home. That parent feels like he is missing the kids growing up and in truth - he is. So get yourself on a good phone plan and let the kids talk to their Daddy/Mommy as long as they want. As for yourself, be patient and think about how good the days are when you are all together.
Commuting doesn't have to be forever, either. If it becomes to hard then look for work closer to home.
