First night/week alone with LO

cstyles

Around christmas DH got an offer to go to Daytona to help a kid with a race car.  Basically DH is getting paid a good sum of money to babysit this teenage kid and teach him about racing (my DH's favorite past time).  LO and I had the choice to go, but I turned it down b/c I couldn't imagine taking my reflux/colicly LO out of town for a week (hotel, rental car, plane, long days...didn't sound like a kid friendly trip).  Well LO seems to have finally passed the reflux hurdle and we totally could have gone ; (

So we dropped DH off at the airport this morning, I came home and the "stupid" dog (who has seperation anxiety) had ripped her toe nail off trying to break out.  So I had to put Coop back in the car and drive 30 minutes to the vets office.  It took them 2 hours to work her in, so Coop and I did some shoppping (when he should have been napping).  Not to mention how much he hates the car, between the airport and vet I've had all the crying I can take. 

I came home and looked up the cost of flights to go join DH in FL.  Well that's not going to happen.  I'm seriously a little nervous about surving the week.  Coop is definetly on the high needs spectrum, and it can be exhausting when my only break will be a few hours to go see clients.

Any tips from mom's who DH's travel often?  Thankfully Coop went down early tonight, so hopefully he'll sleep decent, he's teething and learning to crawl though, so sleep has been a little sketchy around here.

We definetly should have tried a night or two without DH...before doing a full 7 days....oh and I totally gave DH the OK to go, and thought it was a great idea.  The money was a great incentive....but now I'd give it back to have my DH home to help (he cost a whole lot more than what they're paying!).

teamsweet

Can you hire someone to help you this week? or call in a few favors?  I don't think I could handle 7 days on my own given how terrible ds's sleeping has been lately, but otherwise, I would do it.  Dh works nights so I'm technically a single parent during ds's awake time during the week anyway. 

Try to relax and take things day by day.  Plan some outings - give your poor pup extra tlc - and the week will be gone before you know it.  Try not to focus on being on your own or on how long until your dh comes home - just take things day by day - you can do it!

LouiseB2001

Sorry about your dog and having to be by yourself. I recently spent a week on my own with DD but since I work full time I have a nanny almost every day and she just came in one more day (the day DH usually take with DD). The nights were difficult of course but at that time we still bedshared so I basically just took DD to bed with me when I went myself (after her starting in her crib). I kept to a very strict routine at night and in the morning but after one particular hard night I had to take a nap when the nanny got here (thank god I make my own ours at work). No practical advice other than to take one day at a time and try to find occasional help like pp suggests. Just an hour to yourself will be good (and not to work!). Good luck and let us know how you get on. Hang in there :-)  

WyoGal

LouiseB2001:

No practical advice other than to take one day at a time and try to find occasional help like pp suggests. Just an hour to yourself will be good (and not to work!). Good luck and let us know how you get on. Hang in there :-)  

This!  I also let a lot slide like dishes, cooking, non-essential laundry etc. and treasure the time I have when M sleeps to catch up with old friends on the phone, watch my girly tv etc.  I also budget a bit more in my fun categories for the week so we can run to the museum or out to coffee or whatever I need to maintain my sanity. 

ladybug8510

Lurking, but DH has been home maybe a month total since DD was born.  He is Navy.  But we spend a lot of down time, which I need for my sanity.  Sometimes we lay in bed together and I read my book aloud to her while she plays, or I put her in the bouncey seat while I take a bubble bath (I'm so sad she is outgrowing this!!).  I also really enjoy our time nursing and when she naps on my lap, then I don't feel guity for not doing the dishes or whatever. 

Also, watch some movies that your DH doesn't like, eat food he doesn't like, just enjoy doing things you like that your DH doesn't.  And enjoy the mommy baby time.

anabell0920

Ladybug8510:

Lurking, but DH has been home maybe a month total since DD was born.  He is Navy.  But we spend a lot of down time, which I need for my sanity.  Sometimes we lay in bed together and I read my book aloud to her while she plays, or I put her in the bouncey seat while I take a bubble bath (I'm so sad she is outgrowing this!!).  I also really enjoy our time nursing and when she naps on my lap, then I don't feel guity for not doing the dishes or whatever. 

Also, watch some movies that your DH doesn't like, eat food he doesn't like, just enjoy doing things you like that your DH doesn't.  And enjoy the mommy baby time.

All of this. H has already been deployed for 4 months and has duty every 6 days. He's leaving tomorrow morning for a bit and we will be fine. Some days will it be tough? Sure, but then the next day will come. I try not to stay up too late so I know I get at least some sleep ( DS doesn't sttn and is teething right now) also I try to take my morning nap with him so I can feel a bit more energized. 

I'm sorry that happened to your dog and that is always the way it seem that crap goes wrong when you are alone but you are showing yourself you can be strong and independent which is a good thing! Just take deep breaths and if you feel flustered put your LO somewhere safe for a minute and regroup.