SAHP with partners who work away..

[fl0raldaisies]

I've been a SAHP for nearly three years now and I've really loved it, it can get a little draining at times but but it works for us and it's been great; but my DP has just got a new job and will now be working away for up to four months at a time with just two weeks home inbetween the months away. He's done this before but that was nearly four years ago before we had our DS and moved into our own house, I also had a job back then and I had my parents and siblings for company, and saw friends during the day if I had the day off so I was never really completely on my own.

Of course I'm used to being on my own with DS during the day now, but the evenings and weekends we usually always have DP there with us for family time, and I had company on the evenings once DS went to bed even if it was just sitting next to each other and watching TV. Now I'm going to be on my own and I just feel like I'm just not going to know what to do to keep myself occupied on the evenings. Weekends aren't so bad as family will be off work and they love seeing DS so we'll still have alot of visiting to do then. Also due to the country he's working in the time difference means that once DS is put to bed (around 6:30/7pm) DP will also be going to sleep as it'll be nearing midnight where he is so it's not like we'll even be able to email/skype during that time!

Those in a similar situation what do you do to fill in that extra alone time?!
He's just left today so I'm sure I'll be fine for the first week as it just feels like he's gonr on a course with work but once it's set in that he wont be home for months I'm sure I'm going to find it really hard!

[RandomUsernameHere]

Hi OP, could you go and stay with family for a few nights at a time? Of course it depends where they live, especially when your DS starts school. I tend to de-camp to my parents' house whenever DH is away, but my DC are not in school yet so it is easy.
Do you have any nearby friends or neighbours you can invite over for a drink in the evenings?
I know how you feel, I don't mind a few nights on my own but any longer than that and it gets a bit boring once my DC have gone to bed.
It might also be worth trying to find a hobby you can do at home in the evenings. I've been considering getting a treadmill but space is a bit of an issue.

[RiseToday]

God that sounds incredibly hard. Mine works away a lot but only for a week at a time. I really don't think I could handle him being away for months on end.

is this likely to be a long term thing? I could probably deal with it if I knew it was going to be for a limited time!

[fl0raldaisies]

Random all of my family live really close by, but I have two younger siblings who still live at home (one with SN) so it can tend to be abit of a squeeze to fit me and my DS into my old bedroom, we do spend a lot of time with them at weekends anyway with them living so close but sleeping arrangements aren't great there now unfortunately!

Rise it's a year long contract, but possible that he might need to stay afew months longer after, and with just three trips home from now until next June so we need to space the trips back properly through out the year

[Gaggleofgirls]

Oh you sound like me! Feel free to message me, it's a lonely gaff. I've found the first weeks easy then it gets harder. My DH is due home tomorrow and I can't wait but he's informed me he has training so won't be home the full two weeks 😭
We've not been doing this long though so I'm just hoping it gets easier. Sorry I can't give you any tips. It's been harder over the holidays but now I'm back to school run and clubs a lot of time will be taken up running around.

[justme93]

I'm in this situation to but not entirely sure I'm liking it much. My husband on the other hand seems to be skipping along quite nicely. Im almost a year in and we've only ever had long weekend visits 2/3 months in between. I have two boys 4&6 and I'm pretty much doing it alone here.. no family local, so not had a break at all since last October, could really do with some like minded people in the same situation x