any advice for doing this solo?

DH leaves Sunday for a week long business trip, and I've never been by myself w/ the boys for longer than a work day! And as it is, I'm READY for DH to get home after work so I can get a tiny little break! SO needless to say, I'm scared to death of next week. :icon_eek: Any of y'all have any tips? Oh, and we just moved less than a month ago, and I literally have no friends or family here in the area. (none of y'all are in Montgomery are ya?? ^_^) So any advice would be great!

 

1. Crockpots and paper plates are your friends.

2. If it doesn't absolutely NEED to be done, don't do it.

3. A nap or some "Me" time IS a need, you have to take care of yourself too.

4. If everyone is fussy and crying (that includes you) it's ok to take a ride in the car or a walk.

5. Step back at the end of every day and be amazed with yourself!

 

I completely agree with every single one of Jenny's comments. Do only what needs to get done, including taking a breath for yourself...a soak in the tub after they have gone to bed, sit down and NOT clean the house and just read a magazine, something to make sure you are taking care of you.

Do you go to church in your area? Could you ask if they have a grandparent service, maybe someone could come and just help you for an afternoon? What about calling your town hall to see if they have anything like that?

I bet we will see an email from you in a week that says it was much easier than you thought! :hug99:

 

our parents had helpers here around the clock to help ....

 

I second (third?) Jenny's suggestions. When my Dh is traveling for work, I kind of plan one thing I want to do each day. BUt nothing too big so I don't get to discouraged. You can do this - it will be ok. How long is he going to be gone for?

 

DH left for 5 months when the girls were 6 months old...in January, in New Jersey...

Ditto Jenny on the crockpots and paperplates!!! I don't think anything but bottles, silverware and the crockpot insert went through the dishwasher the whole time he was gone.

We are not from the area where we live and had no friends or family here, either - I must have called my mom every day. You'll need the adult conversation to keep from going nuts so make sure you reach out to call mom or DH in the evening when they go to bed. It was freezing and icy when DH was gone, so I couldn't really sit outside with the monitor or anything but I do that now if he's on a 3 or 4 day trip. Just put the monitor in the hallway and sit on the front porch.

Just remember that you'll get through it and he'll come home eventually.

alexis

 

Great suggestions from everyone. We are all here for you at the end of the day to vent.

 

When I am on my own, I let everything go around the house (dishes, vacuum, picking up toys, etc.) until I get all the kids in bed and then I start cleaning a reheat some leftovers or have a bowl of cereal at night. During the day I take care of everyone's needs first and then me. But if I am struggling with getting some piece I will totally load up the kids in the car and go for some coffee It's always an instant pick me up.

 

Thanks for the tips and encouragement!!! I'll need to go pick up some paper plates before Saturday! :good: I keep asking the boys over and over this week, "you're going to be good for Mommy next week while Daddy's gone, RIGHT?" :laughing: If I can just keep them safe and fed and ME fed, I should be ok. I"ll let y'all know how it goes... hopefully you won't get a post come next Tuesday or Wednesday with me in tears first! :winking0009:

 

Routine routine routine and stay calm.......they will sense your stress and it will make the situation worst. If you have a routine to your day from start until their bedtime then you will all know what to expect and what comes next. What works for me is to take the 30 minutes immediately following them going to bed and doing as much around the house as possible. It is amazing how little time each task takes (4 minutes to throw in a load of laundry, 2 minutes to start the dishwasher, 5 minutes to wash the dinner pans etc etc). Alot can get done in that relatively short period of time and it can make you feel great because the major chores are done and still give you enough time to have some down time for yourself.

 

For me, the more organized I am, the better. I agree with Dianne about taking the 30 minutes to clean up and do as much as possible after bedtime. That's when I pick up toys in the living room, throw dishes in the dishwasher, sort the mail, pack Andrew's backpack and lunch and that sort of thing. After that, I break out the cookies.

When DH works long hours (during Aggie football season, I hardly see him), we do lots of easy meals. I'll start water boiling for pasta while I feed the little ones, or preheat the oven while homework is going. Multitasking is the key, and I always feel like I get way more accomplished that way.

Too bad Wings 'N More doesn't deliver. I'd ship you some in a heartbeat. Good luck! You can totally do this!

 

QUOTE(kj2racing @ Oct 23 2007, 10:44 PM) [snapback]464496[/snapback]
Routine routine routine and stay calm.......they will sense your stress and it will make the situation worst.


This is SO true! Babies love routine. Make sure that all major errands are taken care of before your DH leaves so that way if you leave the house its because you WANT to and not because you NEED formula/diapers/etc! Focus on just taking care of the kiddos and yourself and try to enjoy it! You don't have to share your babies for a whole week

GL and we are here if you need to vent or brag or just hang out, Leighann

 

H i, I totally understand how u feel. My DH is out of town for the first time, It is Wednesday already, he will be back Friday. Now I realise how much help he is to me despite me grudging that he doesnt help. I have to give him a big hug when he gets back.
It is challenging, especially when both cried bloody murder together last night. I finally smiled after all my futile attempts to sooth them. You can do only so much. After a sleepless night, my DD is in my arms again, crying & yelling. I thought I could nap now, but maybe later. So dont make plans. Take things as they come. Cook & freeze in advance, icecream, chocloate, anything that makes you happy. It will get over soon. Watch some TV. Focus on their feeds. It will get over soon. Good luck.