If you are a mom whose husband is captain of the Frequent Flyer club and who is in the air more than he is home…this is a MUST READ for you.
If you are a grandparent, a sibling, a cousin, a friend, or a neighbor of a mom whose husband travels frequently…this is also a great read.
So, yes. My husband travels for work. Frequently. He actually travels 50% of the time to be exact. No, there is no set schedule. It all depends on when conferences and meetings are scheduled and where as well. In my husband’s case, his territory is the Southern part of the U.S, but with his corporate office based in Pennsylvania, he also has travel up there as well. I know many of my fellow, Palm Beach Mom’s who are in the same boat as me. We’ve shared stories and I’ve realized how frequent this is for many of us mamas.
Not only is the travel sporadic, but the time of the day when he leaves changes weekly as well. There are days when he leaves for the airport at 2:00pm in the afternoon, and there are also times when he has a 5:15 a.m flight, and he needs to leave by 3:30a.m. (yes, as in the alarm clock goes off..and the baby may or may not wake up). It is not for the faint of heart, I can assure you. However, this is MY normal. We, as a family decided I would be the SAHM, while my husband was the sole breadwinner.
Ok now, add to the mix….how do you explain to a 2 year old that daddy is “working,” all hours of the night…literally?
Here are a few of my tips and tricks on how we survive the day-to-day in daddy’s absence. I can tell you it was not easy in the beginning, but it got much better. My son would literally wail calling out for his daddy. I felt helpless. I can give this little boy everything he wants and needs, right? Not quite. Almost, but not that.
Have no fear…try some of these little tidbits from my bag of tricks..and you will be on your way to sanity in no time at all.
Limit Facetime calls
So for many of us, including myself, I figured calling daddy on facetime would make it easier on him. I found out that sometimes, yes this helps, but other times it would make him worse after we hung up. Sometimes, he would have a work call and have to cut it short, etc. It would not end well. So, do yourself a favor and judge accordingly to your child. Remember…out of sight…out of mind.
When it comes to time…make it QUALITY vs. QUANTITY
As much as my husband is absent, he makes a point to be so involved with him when he is home. For example, let them have their daddy/child bonding time. I love doing the family thing just as much as the next, but sometimes it’s nice when my son and husband have their “alone” time too. If you are a hands-off mom like me, let daddy do bath and bed time routine some nights. Have daddy make the meal or take him to the park. They are making their memories too!
Routine in the face of chaos?
Yes, so as much routine as you can give them…do it! I know when you are trying to work around your husband’s schedule for meals or activities it can get a little crazy, but routine can definitely be your little life-saver when possible.
For example, my son still goes to bed about the same time every night. It doesn’t matter what’s going on. We like to keep him used to the routine of going upstairs to put on jammies, brush his teeth, read his books, etc. So, whatever your nighttime routine is, try and maintain it. When kids know what is coming, we all know they are more likely to go with the flow.
and last but not least…
Soak up those perks, ladies!
I have one word for you – REWARDS! So, I think that frequent flier miles, points and rewards MUST have been created by the wives of the airline and hotel executives, right? After all, we are the ones who are reaping the benefits of this.
So, book your next trip out to the west coast with those Starwood points, go on that family vacation using miles, or have a luxurious staycation at a Marriott property with a gulf view.
Can you relate to this or what? Please feel free to comment and let me know how you deal with the hubby who is always MIA due to his work schedule.
