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dealing with OOT spouse?

hollacehollace
in D.C. Area Babies
Is it wrong that I feel like I'm going to be completely overrun by a 7 week old?? Okay, overrun is probably not the right word but I feel overwhelmed. Im not sure if it's because I should be or because this is the first time we've been alone 24/7... My husband doesn't get it, he tells me I'm home all day with him, it's no different.  I told him it is different because at least when he's in town I know he's coming home and can alleviate some the stresses of having been home all day with a newborn. How did you cope with your DH being OOT for the first time??  (side note: no family in the area, but thank God for good neighbors!!)
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Re: dealing with OOT spouse?

  • fatjavacatfatjavacat

    My DH is OOT weekly.  I feel your pain.  What works for me is planning daily outings - even to walk around the mall for an hour.  Plus use at least one of your DC's nap times for yourself....take a nap, read a book.  Don't put too much pressure on yourself to have every second a structured activity...

    Hang in there!  It will get easier :) 

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  • ArtslvrArtslvr
    imagefatjavacat:

    My DH is OOT weekly.  I feel your pain.  What works for me is planning daily outings - even to walk around the mall for an hour.  Plus use at least one of your DC's nap times for yourself....take a nap, read a book.  Don't put too much pressure on yourself to have every second a structured activity...

    Hang in there!  It will get easier :) 

    This is great advice.  Whether it was me alone with a newborn, and - even now - when it's me alone with three kids to wrangle (ages 4, 2 and 8  months) the key to my sanity is to get out of the house.  Go do something.  Even if it's to go to someone's house (one of your nice neighbors?) it gives you and baby/kids something to do to fill the time so you're not sitting around the house being driven batty. 

     

    Wife, Musician, Fed, WW-er, and Mom of three little kids - not necessarily in that order.
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  • Hey JellisyHey Jellisy
    Great advice so far, I third the leaving the house.  If you're like me and you really need someone to talk to in the evenings to decompress, I would invite a good friend over for takeout and company. 
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    From December 29, 2011
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  • WinesNot WhinesWinesNot Whines

    One thing I do is I plan very easy meals - like frozen pizza or take-out. This may not work long-term if your DH is OOT for weeks at a time, but for a few days or 1 week, it helps make things easier.

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  • KarenbirdKarenbird

      Stay rested, be good to yourself, and you'll both do great.  Let yourself get too worn out, though, and things will disintegrate quickly.  Try to get as much as you can get done the night before for the next day so that during the day, you can take naps when baby naps.   That being said, keep your "must dos"  in the evening to a minimum.  Baby needs a happy, patient mama, not a spotless sink.   ;-)

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  • garden123garden123

    Whatever you need to do to make life easier when he's gone, do it.  Use paper plates, order takeout, get out, etc.  The nice thing about the newborn stage is that you can pretty much take them anywhere, unlike, say an almost 3 year old boy who has a case of the sticky fingers ;)

    Also, if you don't have skype, you may want to look into it.  Whether it's with your H or oot family, it helps.

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  • mlmbwrmlmbwr
    I am on my own for the first time tonight, as DH is OOT thankfully just overnight.  Hang in there.  My son is 9 weeks.  It can be very isolating since we don't have family here either.
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  • May23BrideMay23Bride member
    My DD was 6 weeks old when my husband was out of town for a week.  I second having easy foods on hand.  Pizza is great because it can be eaten with one hand and cold (if it is a really rough day).  I also ate frozen meals and salads. I was fortunate enough to have family in the area.  They would come by around dinner so I could eat or take out the trash. I also second going out and Skype.  I've had a few stressful nights while my hubby was out town.  I was able to Skype with him and it really helped to see him.
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