Coping When Spouse Travels

Aww Hunny!

We are here for you! I am going through the same thing, my husband is in Iraq right now too. He has been gone since April 9th.

My husband usually deploys to south America so for the last 4 years it has been 3-4 months there a couple months here and then usually to Maryland for a couple months back here then to south america again. My husband was in the army prior to this so I am used to doing things alone, but it's different when you pick this sort of life, as in friends have told me suck it up this is his job @@ It's very hard, you don't really have a place to vent etc. Until now :-) You can come chat with us anytime.

 I went into pre-term labor while my husband was out of the country. It was very hard.

What I do is I have a schedule and we stick to it. I joined a gym and work out every morning and the kids stay in the gym day care and then we run errands, go the park etc. Come home eat lunch, have quiet/baby takes nap. Go on a walk start dinner, yard work etc. bath, bedtime.

I too get sad when my husband leaves, but I just realize that I am the only person to take care of my children/house/pets. There are things I do alone that I never thought I would have to do...For example I spend 4 hours cleaning the garage yesterday LOL It makes me feel empowered and strong though to realize I can do everything alone :-) Hang in there it will get better. Just give your little guy a hug and it will make everything better.

Thank you so much for answering me.  It's really helpful to read someone else's schedule and to have a starting point.  I know I will have to figure my own out but I have to start somewhere.  Dh and I both actually used to be in the Air Force but it hasn't made it much easier for me because I have never been the one to stay behind before.  I always, always was the one leaving when I was in.  I had no idea what it was like to be the one who stays behind and takes care of your whole entire life and raises the kids while the other person goes off and just does the mission.  I think this is harder in some ways.  I'm afraid of telling too many people what's going on, just because of what you said, that they will have the reaction of "well he took the job, deal with it."  Thank you so much for being here and offering support.  I need it right now.  :)

Brooke