How do you all cope?

[M24L]

How do all of those who's partners work away cope?

DH has started a new job consisting of him working away 12 days then home for 2. Its something we decided as a family would benefit us financially and I was all for it until crunch day now I feel absolutely broken.

Been with DH for 12 years and practically never spent the night apart since. We have 2 DC. DH was prior to the new job working different shifts so sometimes wasn't home until bedtime so I was telling myself it wouldn't be much different but the more I thought about it the thought of only seeing the man I love 48 days a year is hurting.

I have MH issues which I'm on top off currently but DH was my safe space. Sounds cliche but he really is my best friend. I don't hold much of a social life, I don't drink alcohol and literally only have 1 other friend who I can really call a friend although we talk daily we don't meet up or go out etc. I also work the first half of the week while DC1 is at school and DC2 is at childminders.

So I'm wondering how everyone with partners working away cope with not seeing them? what do you do with your days?

When my dc were small, my dh regularly worked abroad for 5 or 6 weeks at a time. I coped by having to. So work, nursery and school drop off and all that other life stuff was down to me. If I didn't do it, it didn't get done.
Dh and I spoke most days, but due to the nature of his job at the time, sometimes we'd go for a few days without speaking. I actually like my own company though, so didn't feel the need to "fill my time" during today periods.
We're all different I guess.

Dh was made redundant a number of years ago and couldn't get a job clise to home, eventually he took a job a 2. 5 hour drive away and lodged with a single friend during the week who worked in the same place. I hated him being away, but I did have my family close by for support. The dc were primary age one at special school due to sever learning disabilities. I couldn't have done it long term, for us it only lasted a year until dh got a job near home again.
You learn to manage and make the best of it. Give it a chance and see how it goes. If it doesn't work then you need to discuss it openly.

DH worked overseas with no real pattern for around a decade, I also had 2 dc.I was also working FT. I had 2 friends who very occasionally stayed over so it was sociable but that was hardly ever. I just kept my time filled with tv, reading, gaming, I also have 4 sisters so would ring each one once a week for a chat. DH and I tended to msg.

It isn’t 48 days. If he has bank holidays and annual leave, that is another 28 days or so.
it will be tough but then you make the most of that time and do good family and couples activities.

Remember it is still better than single parents and where the partner is abusive or disinterested. And it won’t be forever. Always keep positives in mind, it does make it easier.

With his working shifts previously I normally tended to the kids anyway their school/childminder is around my working hours so I've always done school pick ups/drops off etc.

We have both said we will see how it goes as it will be hard on his part also not being able to see DC other than over a video call but he is doing it for us all as a family and I wouldn't like to be the only reason he stops.

I deliberately missed any TV programme that I watch on the run up to it so I had stuff to catch up on to keep me occupied in the evenings.