Husband Travels For Work Survival Guide
Husband Travels For Work Survival Guide
Husband travels for work and you aren’t sure how to survive? Then this post is for you! How to survive at home with children when your husband is out of town for work. Ultimate survival guide with creative ideas to help every mother!
Step One Starts Before The Trip
First of all, you need to set your mindset in the right place. We want to start out optimistic that this will go well (of course)! However, we also need to be real! So the very first step is to simply set low expectations both of yourself and the kids. It’s very common for my own children to be extra clingy and a bit moody with Daddy away for travel. It disrupts everyone’s routine! So this probably isn’t the best time to plan on tackling a large project or doing anything outside of just taking care of day to day needs.
The Expectation Is Just To Survive
When my husband returns, all that we expect is that everyone is still alive. House still standing? That’s optional. Seriously. I have so much experience with this spouse traveling thing and the best thing you can do is put all of this in perspective right from the get-go. Once again. House still standing…. optional.
Stock Up On Groceries Ahead Of Time
I don’t know about you, but grocery shopping doesn’t happen to be my favorite activity, to begin with. When you add in being stressed out and two kids, it becomes borderline crazy. And we are trying to avoid the crazy here… well… as much as possible!
What To Add To Your Husband Travels For Work Survival Grocery Cart
- Easy and healthy snacks. Loads of fresh veggies, yogurt cups, fruit cups, fresh fruit, cheese sticks, pretzels.
2. Stock up on chocolate. Seriously. This is valid advice. Three days in, you will fully understand if you don’t already see my reasoning.
3. Coffee. Even if you don’t drink coffee. Take my advice. Refer to the above comment with chocolate if you don’t understand me here. Being the only adult is exhausting. You are not super woman, and no one expects you to be. Well, the kids do. And they still will. Hence, chocolate and coffee. 😉
4. Special kid treats. Now I am allll about the healthy stuff, pretty sure you get that from the topic of my blog! However, I feel that there are times that this stuff is okay. Sometimes the emotions are more what matters. When kids are missing Daddy, and it comforts them to have some potato chips…. who cares!!! If your kids are normally eating pretty healthy, a couple days of junk foods won’t hurt them! I have no problem giving my kids a pudding cup and broccoli sticks with canned soup as a picnic on the floor with a blanket when times are more than a little stressful. This is okay Mama. 100% okay!
Freezer Meals Are Magic
If you can swing it, try to cook meals ahead if possible. It’s all a balance. The healthier you can manage to eat, the better mood everyone will probably be in. At the same time, Mama isn’t going to feel up to cooking big meals all alone with cranky kids. Let’s just be real here. So the freezer meals or even just popping leftovers in the freezer in preparation for the trip end up being a huge help.
Line Up A Support System
A very important pre-trip preparation is to set up your support system AHEAD of time. If you know someone is coming over mid-trip, then you are going to be able to survive a whole lot better. Anticipate the break, and it can mean the difference between a stressed out or a calmer Mama!
The Biggie: Do Not Skip This Step:
When your husband travels for work, you have to prepare the kids ahead of time that he will be gone. It’s so tempting, to not tell them until right before or as he is walking out the door. However, in my experience, this is a recipe for disaster. We have learned that letting the kids know exactly what to expect is the best way for them to be prepared.
Husband Travels For Work Survival Guide: During The Trip
- Use your emotional essential oils. For yourself and the kids.
- Amazon Prime is your best friend. Look up cheap toys or little things the kids might like and order strategically. A little box in the mail here and there goes a long way with kids!
- Hibernation is perfectly acceptable, but you will want to get out at least a few times. It will be better emotionally for everyone.
- Plan simple and stress-free outings such as the local library.
- Picnics on the floor go a long way!
- Take time to chat on the phone for 10 minutes with a trusted friend (only adult conversation allowed)
After The Trip
REWARD YOURSELF!!!! It’s important to celebrate, everyone survived, and you did an AWESOME job. Now is time to treat yourself, you may enjoy some of the ideas here: Pampering Mom – Five Easy And Affordable Ideas
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