…For six whole days. The last time we were apart that long, we were seniors in HIGH SCHOOL.
We’re going by train to Missouri to see Gammy and Pop Pop on the 22nd and coming back on the 27th. We decided that September to December was too long for the children to go without seeing that side of the family (or is it the other way around?)
I was assured by friends and family that it’s completely normal for a mommy of young children to leave the daddy for a week to go visit family. Completely normal…
{Sob}
But it’s done – train tickets are bought. So we’re going.
I’ve been saving leftovers in single-serving sizes and freezing them so Josh doesn’t have to subsist entirely on cereal and take-out. And chocolate chips. He’s got burritos, pulled pork, pasta…
I plan on making cookies and granola bars for him, too. I’m just worried he’ll get spoiled with all the good food and not miss me as much as he should. So maybe just granola bars.
I have a couple more ideas on how to keep him thinking about me while I’m gone all week. (To keep him thinking about the kids, I’ll just, you know, sprinkle a few of their toys all over the floor. Or just not pick up before I leave.)
So I was wondering, anybody else out there ever leave their husband? For how long? How did you prepare for this?
Hey, I just did that! I missed him, but he def. missed me more (he came home to an empty house; I was surrounded by family and friends and had more people time than when I’m home). Besides making sure he had lots of food, I decided to make him little notes for each day for him to open. Some days I put in a treat, and each day I had a picture (I printed off the computer) of me or Jeremiah, or all of us. Then, when I was gone we spent time each day during our individual quiet times to look up a verse for each other. We shared the verses when we talked (even if briefly).
Jeremiah had a hard time without seeing daddy, so Daniel sent a short video of himself for Jeremiah to watch. Jeremiah would wave to it. 🙂
I was nervous about traveling alone with him, but it all worked out! How it goes well for you. 🙂
Funny title! How great to be with the grandparents! We’ve done that too. I’d love to say that I did what you’re doing, but I pretty much left him on his own! Over Christmas, we’ll all be in TX, then Hubs will come home by himself. He might have to go to the grocery store (scary thought!) to start restocking our bare fridge! It’s great to have a self-sufficient husband! Have a great time!
Erin
I don’t have children yet, but I have left my husband a few times to attend technical conferences over the past three years. Usually I am gone for 2-5 nights. It’s tough, but I make sure to call him every night. Sometimes I call in the morning to make sure he wakes up in time. Just keep the fridge and pantry stocked, and try not to worry. You’ll make it.
And then when you get home, you appreciate each other all the more. It’s great.
We’ve both had to travel. It gets a bit hairy when we are both out of town at the same time – and we have to find a dog sitter.
Call each night. Don’t argue on the phone or in email. Make a concious effort to share the silly little things that make up your day.
It’s not that bad.
Since we’ve been married, we have been apart for 5 days when I went to Orlando to visit my parents, a year ago. (Before we were married, the longest we went without seeing each other at all was 6 months. And we went 2 years without seeing each other on a regular basis!) I did go shopping and make sure the pantry was stocked, but didn’t do any cooking. (But, I don’t cook even when I’m home so there isn’t much difference. ;-)) I also got him some movies from Blockbuster that he wanted to see but I had no interest. The hardest part was because we share a cell phone and I took it with me, we couldn’t talk! We IMed each other when we could but I was pretty busy. I think he did fine – he’s such an introvert that he enjoyed the time to himself, I think.
Hm, I didn’t realize that leaving the hubby behind was such a traumatic experience for some. I’ve left mine behind to visit family regularly for two weeks at a time since our first baby was born. Every four to five months I take off and he gets to gorge himself on Taco Bell. It must be just me, because each time we separated, my mother would harrass me into calling him. We would just say hi, ask how each other was doing, share pertinent information and then hang up. Mom would then harrass me again for details of how he was holding up and I would share only to hear her say, “That’s it? What’s wrong with you two?”
I’ll just say, relax. I realize it seems unfathomable, but you’ll miss each other and somehow survive.
I left my husband for one week when my grandmother was gravely ill. I was SO thankful that I did because that was the last time that I was able to spend with her and those memories are precious. She became a Christian a week and a half before she died and that week was the only time I knew her with Christ living in her! While my brother and I went to pick my husband up from the airport a week later, she passed away and my husband missed seeing her, but was thankfully there for me when I got the news. Tough times.
This spring my husband left for his first business trip only one week after graduating from college and accepting his full time job! Plus, his trip took him to Boston, my dream destination, but I couldn’t go with him. Awful! We bought a phone card so that we could talk each night. While he was gone I completely cleaned out, washed, changed the tires on, had the engine tuned-up in, and learned to drive his car (it’s a standard). It definitely took my time and energy that week! Then I drove it 40 miles to the airport to pick him up. Was he surprised! Plus *ahem* two weeks after he came home we learned we were pregnant!
Tig and I were apart for almost 6 months before we had Lexi, we do go away from each other every couple months but it’s normally only for a day or so. I would say call every day. you’ll be ok. it will be harder for him unless of course he stays busy with playing bball with the guys. maybe you should arrange play dates for him. HEHEHE.
My husband and I are apart regularly, overseas, due to the nature of his job. It is a little lonelier, to be sure … and the kids miss their dad a lot. But we stay in touch over the phone when we can, wonder aloud what Daddy’s probably doing right now, and occasionally jot things down to tell him when we talk or when we’re back together. He always does just fine, and I certainly do too. We are together a lot when we are at home, so times apart are good for us! It will be good for you two, too.
the longest I’ve been away from Miah is for 2 days for a conference and I think we talked on the phone like 12 times 🙂
I left him for about 5 days to visit friends across the country. It was so HARD but worth it. We had tons of fun and made even more memories! Good Luck!!
We do the reverse fairly often, as Matthew travels for work about 30% of the time. I usually pack his suitcase for him before he goes, and I almost always pack a framed picture of me that he can put up in his hotel room. And sometimes I pack a note or letter for him too.
The nice part is that he works from home when he IS home, so we actually get to see him more now than when he worked an office job with no travel.
Beth, I know how you feel. When I was married to Jessica’s dad we were never apart. Well, once I remember being gone for 2 days and took Jessica with me. Now I have remarried and I am in Texas and the kids elsewhere. He has made the trip with me but this year can’t go. Usually I make a trip by myself and one with him. Now I am facing the 2nd one this year alone. I hate it! I feel so divided, either my kids or him. I leave the 25th to return the 6th. I am so excited, but so hating the leaving.
One thing, I think we will survive and so will they! On my alone trips he is usually yelling and missing me by 5 days into it. I miss him on the plane getting there, but I guess 5 days is better than nothing… 😉
For me, I try to have all the pet food in the house, some meals planned and ready for him. He can cook, so that is a blessing. I still worry about him but he was alone for a long time before we married so I know he will survive.
We need to relax and enjoy ourselves!
See, my husband thinks this is weird. Wives leaving their husbands to go visit their parents doesn’t sit well with him. I never thought it was odd until we got married, and I can see it from the “cleave” only to your husband point of view.
So we just don’t even consider the possibility of my taking the kids anywhere without him.
The most frequently we’ve visited family is seeing grandparents twice a year–one visit for each set.
He’s gone on business sometimes, but that’s not quite the same thing, is it?
I leave mine all the time. He has a very demanding job and so the kids and I will go places without him.
I miss him, but I figure I am going to live with him for the rest of my life. He is always there when we get back.
I am leaving my hubby for a week, and we have ten kids! I am leaving for the Dominican Republic on November 1st, and am just now thinking that I need to get some casseroles in the freezer, etc. He is very capable. I am sure they will be fine. And I am going for an excellent reason– to blo about the work of Compassion International there. But still it is wrenching to think of leaving them.
Hope your trip is going great!
Mary
My sweetie is leaving me – for 4 days. He’s going to job interviews in Alberta. I hate it when we’re apart. I never sleep well, and juggling things always seems that much trickier when he’s gone. Have a good time away!
the longest i’ve been apart from my husband is ten months. My husbands military, we have 3 kids, 5,4, and 2. After the ten months away, he was home for 2 1/2 months and now he is gone again. Out of this year as a family we have had no more that 3 months together. The time apart is good sometimes reminds me how great he is and what I love about him. You guys are lucky. I love the idea of leaveing lil notes around the house for hime to find, or spraying your perfume on the pillow. Enjoy the time apart. Let him do a few things his self so he realizes the effort you give each day.