DH taking a long(ish) trip

[anaps28]

We were without H for 3 weeks back in June and it was definitely tough on my LO he asked about him all the time. We did FaceTime whenever possible and had fun stuff planned with family and friends. I was also pregnant at the time so it is exhausting. I think having fun things to look forward to do and see will help a bit. Hang in there it's definitely not easy to solo parent.

[brooklyn]

Play dates with NYC mmm'ers!

I'd also make use of Seamless for dinner a lot, but I also hate cooking and like throwing money at problems.

[Jalapeñomel]

Come and visit me! I'll come and visit you too!

[badgergrl]

Outsource dinner. Cleaning too if you can. Get a babysitter lined up for each weekend so you get a break.

[mrsGreeko]

DH is military so we deal with this regularly. He was just gone for 7 or 8 weeks with only 6 days home in there and was gone for 5 weeks earlier this spring.

My kids are used to it so they don't really have any issues with it. I think your 2 year old will probably be fine and it probably won't really affect him as much as you think it will. We do have "daddy bears" (build a bears with a recording of DHs voice in them telling the kids good night and he loves them). We don't really so much in the way of FaceTime because DH is usually working really long hours when he's gone and it can just make it harder sometimes for the kids.

As for you not losing your mind. I am usually fine for the first week, and then have three days that are bad and them it is fine again. But then when he comes back reintegration can be difficult because I have a system and he comes back and screws it up! I let a lot of things go and don't commit to too much when DH is gone. I also lean on my family when I need to. My mom and grandma and the neighbor down the street will take a kid or two for something here and there. You'll be fine.

[meltoine]

At that age, DS1 didn't have any problems with MH being gone. They can't tell the difference between 2 weeks and five weeks. The first time DS1 really noticed MH being gone was last fall! when he was gone for 3 months and DS1 was almost 3.

As for yourself, line up a babysitter for one night each week. Even if you just go for a walk, the quiet time by yourself will be a godsend. Alternatively, have the babysitter take your kid out and take a nap/ drink coffee on your couch in peace.

Honestly, I find it's somewhat easier when MH is gone. There's less laundry, less cooking, fewer messes. You'll find a routine.

[teatimefor2]

I haven't done five weeks, the long weeks, the longest we've been apart with DS being born is 2.5 weeks and I have five months pregnant. Honestly, since we have zero local family and moved to a new location with two months I packed up and went to my parents.

The longest I've completely solo parented is 10 days. The worst days for me were the weekends. If you have family coming in that will help. As I'm a SAHP, it was the hardest.

Be kind to yourself, don't worry about the laundry, toys being put away, etc and I always gave myself a stopping point of 8:30 pm for the day.

Try to plan bigger activities for the weekend to make the time go faster and if you can hire a babysitter and have a huge pre-made meals ready to go for when you're really tired.

[havarti]

IF you have the PTO I'd consider taking a couple of extra days off in there to run errands/get house stuff done/relax while your kid is in daycare.

[ohyouknow]

We are also military (both of us). DH was gone once for 16 months overseas. :-( Totally sucky. We also do the shorter 2-12 weeks a couple times a year. Anyway, your child will be much better off than you'd think. At that age they have a short memory. The toughest will be on you.

[ohyouknow]

Okay that posted too soon, lol. Keep yourself busy. Have pity parties now and then and cry. It sucks. IMO, shorter times like this are tougher