DH travels a lot for work, mostly short trips of a couple of nights but also longer trips of one to two weeks at a time. To make it worse the longer trips are often to places where the time zone means it is difficult speak to or skype with DS (2.6). DS reacts REALLY badly to these trips - he has disrupted sleep often waking up three or four times a night shouting "Daddy Daddy". He is constantly asking for "Daddy cuddles" and today he has spent the whole day wandering round with a picture of his father gazing sadly at it and saying things like "Daddy's gone away on an aeroplane SIGH". He's often pretty angry with DH when he gets back too. I find it difficult because obviously he's too small to understand why DH has to go away and DH doesn't seem to get how important it is that he tries to skype/phone everyday if at all possible. Am also about to have DC2 any minute and dreading coping with the two of them alone. Anyone with any tips/experiences that can help me along?
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No suggestions I'm afraid but bumping this thread for you as am in the same situation. 
Not sure I cope - just survive! DH away this week (originally had annual leave but it has gradually faded away 
) and I am trying to entertain 3 children 7,5 and 20 months but failing miserably 
The children are used to it although are always counting down the number of sleeps until he's back.
My DP is away 4 nights a week, every week, which is tough but at least predictable for the DC (16 months and 2.10).
He's rarely able to speak with the DC on the phone and skype just doesn't happen . DD sometimes has terrible 'MY PAPA' attacks which I find really hard to deal with. Does your DS know his days of the week? DD finds it comforting to know that papa will be home on Friday and all weekend.
When she's sad and missing him I always try to acknowledge her feelings but concentrate on the positive. "yeah it's a tough time missing papa isn't it, I really miss him too. Papa's so lovely isn't he. He'll be at home aaaallllll day on saturday, what would you like to do then?'
I involve him a lot in conversation, so instead of just saying 'I love you so much' I make a point of also saying 'mama and papa love you so much'. Talk a lot about what she can do with him when he's home, that sort of thing.
TBH I can't really suggest anything else other than keeping busy.
Actually I find it harder now that DS is older (9) - he misses his Dad dreadfully, he is a real Daddy's boy but also will not speak much to him when he phones - almost as if he wants to 'punish' him for being away. However as we've just had a horrendous phone bill for overseas calls we will have to seriously cut back 
- also I agree with sungirl that it is quite difficult talking on the phone as there is so little 'common ground' - last week I was freezing as the heating had broken down and he was complaining about temperatures in the 30s !!
No real solutions - but after over 20 years of marriage I would find it very hard to have a 9-5 husband ! (I love being on my own!).
Suntangirl- I am lucky in that DH is happy to just slot into our routine when he comes home: guess he knows who is boss around here 
! I think I must be a bit of a control freak, because I don't like my routine to be disrupted 
As it is, DH is home for a week this week after 4 weeks away, and will be away for another 4 wks come Sunday. I think I find it more difficult to adapt to him being here than the children do!!
Votepedro - ooh .. I go in next Friday for a. C section ..
Have felt like a walrus for weeks now! ( have polyhydramnios and so am mahoosive !)
Good luck with yours .. I have managed to get dh to be home for a whole week ! God he'll probably drive me crazy
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Yes, we do that for longer stretches (a week or so) with the calendar. DH is away a minimum of 2 nights awake, which is usually 3. I just act like it's no big deal so that the DDs don't get upset. I always think they're fine, but if they are particularly tired or upset about anything else, the first thing they do is howl for their daddy.
It's been like this since before they were born, so they don't know any different.
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