Any other working LP's feel like they never see their DC?

[BrokenStar]

I just feel that time is flying by and I feel so sad I don't get to spend much time with DS. I work 3.5-4.5 days per week and studying for a degree too. I know I'm lucky that DS is looked after by GP's and gets to do lots of fun stuff whilst I'm at work but he often stays over there due to my shifts and I don't get much quality time with him at all.
Even weekends are taken up with parties etc. It wasn't so bad when he was a toddler as my days off were spent doing fun stuff but now he's at school and has a full social calendar I feel like I barely see him . I also can't help but envy all my SAHM friends. Not working will never be an option for me. I realize this must come across as very self pitying but it's really getting me down at the moment. Any tips on how to accept this is just how it has to be and stop feeling so sad about it?

I had this last year when I was working lots of shifts, but am lucky now that I work during school hours.

We ended up having Mummy Mondays where he chose dinner and a film and we slobbed on the sofa with lots of cuddles.

It is hard, but even one day a week of quality time soon makes the bond feel nicer again. Maybe draw a calender every week with pictures/words on saying what you're both doing with a special symbol to show when he gets to have you all to himself. Let him choose what you do and have a chat about it all. I bet he's feeling it too, and will feel nice to know you enjoy time when it's just you two.

I once read about a mum who wrote notes for her child's packed lunch box saying silly little things like "I love you" to make her child feel a little bit special every day which I thought was nice (my son has school dinners).

well you have some 2.5 days per week with him.....when not at parties just hang out with him at home or park etc . as you say he well looked after so no worries there. even half an hour a day when you can is good.

as he gets older the parties will drop off a bit.

Thanks Seza. That last bit almost brought tears to my eyes must be premenstrual. I just miss him, there's no-one else in the world I'd rather spend my time with. He on the other hand loves staying at his GP's and constantly asks when he's next staying. I think the fact he has the undivided attention of 2 people there has a lot to do with it, whereas at home I'm often busy with house stuff or studying. They've practically co-parented him and he has a lovely relationship with them for which I'm eternally grateful.
I have 2 weeks off in July so am just looking forward to that at the moment.

I don't have 2.5 days cestlavie. I work every other Saturday and my midweek day off I'm at uni so really only have Sundays. This Sunday he's off out all afternoon for a friends birthday.
I do try to make the most of the little time I have. I know there's no answer really, just offloading.

Yeah, I also used to feel a lot like it was Groundhog day, go to work, come home, cook, sleep, get up and do it again.

It's lovely now because rather than wanting his nana to pick him up from school, when he asks "who's picking me up today" and I say ME! He says "Yes!" which makes me feel much better than the old "Oooowwwwww! I don't want you" and crying.

Perhaps try to chisel half hour slots into the days that you do have him and spend it reading or being creative. I've recently bought Donkey and find that even this simple game gives us some nice quiet team-work time together - "There's always time for a quick game of Donkey!" ;-)

It is hard, but at least you know that Uni work will come to an end (eventually) and that it's not going to be a forever arrangement.

Absolutely seza, the whole point of this degree is I'm hoping it will lead to a term time only job so will be better for both of us in the long run. But I do try to 'live in the moment' as much as possible as I don't want to blink and miss him growing up iykwim.
We do love board games and always try to squeeze one in before bedtime.

I just did a 7 -4.5...if you managing to get board game in before bed that is great..also he sounds v happy with GPs so from his point of view it's fine...
it will be much more important for you to be around when he bit older, tweenage, early teens etc so if what you doing now leads onto more time later then that is great.