Survival Tips for When Your Husband is Out of Town | Back Home Again: Survival Tips for When Your Husband is Out of Town

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Survival Tips for When Your Husband is Out of Town

November is going to be a crazy month at my house. Because of the government shut down, a bunch of our projects got put on hold. Since the Federal government is again up and running, all of those projects are now getting squished together, which means that Alan or I will be going out of town a lot in the coming weeks. 

I remember how crazy things were as a single parent when we just had one kid. Now that there are two of them, it's so easy to go crazy when you're by yourself. So, with that in mind, I thought I would share my favorite ways to make my time as a single parent a little easier. 


1. Plan ahead: This may seem like a no-brainer, but if I lapse on anything the night before, then it's all over. I make sure that my lunch is packed, the breastmilk bottles are made, the daycare bag is packed and their clothes are laid out. Our mornings are crazy enough as it is with two parents and I know there's no way I can get everything together and out the door and still be on time to work if I didn't have everything ready the night before. 

2. Shower at night: Again, another no-brainer. I prefer to take my showers in the morning because my hair looks much better and I just feel cleaner in general. However, there is no way in the world I am able to shower in the morning with two kids that wake up between 5-6 every morning and who sleep with me. Even if I'm able to get one of them to sleep in their room while I'm in the shower, the other will scream and wake the other up. 

3. Eat simply: With two kids two and under, there is no way I am able to whip up a gourmet meal by myself. I love to cook from scratch and make family dinners almost every night but when I'm alone with the kids, I break out what I have in the freezer. I saved it for a reason right? 

4. It's never too late to call Daddy: With Ewan, this is a must. The kid is such a Daddy's boy that if he doesn't get to talk to him before he goes to bed, he flips out. I have actually called Alan in the middle of the night when he's been on a work trip because Ewan was hysterical and wanted his Daddy. I may wake him up, but it's necessary for our sanity!

5. It's ok if nothing goes to plan and chaos ensues: This took a long time for me to realize, but it really is, I promise. There have been times when I've been home alone with the kids that nothing has gone the way I wanted it to or I didn't get any sleep. For a planner like myself, this is really hard to deal with. However, I just say "That's it. Time for Starbucks!"

What are some things you do to cope by yourself with the kids?


  1. The last one is so hard to come to grips with sometimes, but you're right, if chaos ensues, it's still going to be alright. :) Thank you for linking to Super Sunday Sync.

  2. I have been in the same situation with Dave traveling 3 weeks in a row and another 1 to come. I have found it is definitely easier as the kids get older. I have found meal planning to be helpful, as well as taking my shower after the boys are in bed but when Gabbie is still up. I also allow a treat of TV after dinner which we only do when he is away!

  3. oh, man...ouch to #4! Sorry you all have to deal with this.

  4. Hahaha...This morning was one of those Starbucks mornings!

  5. I have a really hard time just going with the flow, which is something I'm definitely having to learn to do with two kids!

  6. I think it will get easier when they get older, but right now it's not so fun. I'm honestly scared when Alan goes out of town for 6 days in a couple weeks. Cecily has become a horrible sleeper and this will be the first time I'm home alone with them since her shenanigans started!


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