Husband away for the week please give me tips!!

[166lady]

I am currently a SAHM and my husband usually comes from work at around 5:30pm and by that time I am EXHAUSTED with our 20 month twin boys!

They really take the stuffing out of me haha and sometimes when it’s been a really hard day my mood is low frustrated etc and just down.
When DH is back he helps me a lot and is a very hands on dad.
He has to go away for a week for work and I am dreading it, I feel this week alone with the twins day and night will kill me.
I have a day planned to visit my parents so that’ll keep one day occupied but any tips to keep my sanity and not be an angry mess when my DH comes back from his work week?

Thanks

20 months.

Would funds stretch to a babysitter? Someone who could come in for a couple of hours and send you off to a nearby coffee shop or take them to a park ?
Assuming they are not a nightmare to put down in the evenings I'd be planning nice ready made meals for 1, a box set of stuff I am interested in and a glass of wine.

I generally found it wasn't too bad. Less housework and laundry without DH around, tv to myself and if I was super organised it mostly went ok.

Are you going back to work? It is ok not to enjoy the early years, it is bloody hard work and relentless with small children.

Buy in help.

My advice is not to pressure yourself to be a "perfect" mother. Your kids can entertain themselves somewhat, the house can be messy etc, do what you can and leave the rest. As long as they are happy, fed and clean the kids are fine. Washing up, washing, hoovering etc can wait until you get a minute or after bedtime. Take time for yourself on an evening, don't do all the cleaning then head straight to bed, watch a bit of TV or something first to wind down a little. Also, go out if you can every day and playtime baths are a lifesaver :)

Mine would be having the silicon freezer portion things, so that whenever you cook anything you can put leftovers in freezer, so that you always have easy options for dinner. And also go out and about in the morning, so you feel less guilty chilling at home in the afternoon !

Are you me? My boys are also 20mo and my DH has also just left for a couple days. 😅

To be fair, my DH travels frequently and it's not ideal but we do as best we can. I have a 4.5 yo in reception as well.

Batch cook meals before he leaves. Big shop or Ocado delivery. Make a meal plan. A couple outings you know will tire them out. As a pp said, I find lower standards and less laundry actually makes it feel easier in some ways.

As much as I'd love to rest during nap time, I basically spend the entire time resetting the house and prepping dinner, hanging laundry, etc.

We're low screen household but when in dire need, Ms. Rachel. 😅

Oh and I plan to bring both boys into bed with me from their first wake, I can't be going into their room all night long when parenting solo.

Last time DH went away they all got a tummy bug! Now THAT was horrific.

How did you get on @166lady? I’m hoping you survived?