a fifo wife {a fifo life: my tips on surviving whats yours?}

I few weeks ago I wrote a piece for the fantastic website Stay at home Mum. You should visit has some great tips and tricks for surviving on one wage. Great ideas. Love it and Jodie the website creator is just the loveliest girl.

So passionate about this life of mine I wrote a round up of tips and tricks I use to manage. It was well recieved so I thought I would share it with you.

1. Honesty and Communication. Really this is a no brainer and its the same in any relationship but with FIFO both of you have lots of quite time to think and with to much thinking can often result in to much stuff happening thats not really a problem in the first place. So if you have got a problem talk about it. Its essential that any problems or concerns are aired. Talk about it until there is nothing left to talk about. Be honest with how you feel. Dont be hurtful just honest and dont wait until there is a problem.

2.Making Couple time. Im often frowned on because I will put my husbands and my relationship over my kids however my theory is happy mum and dad equals a really happy home and isnt thats what its all about. So I encourage dates and make an effort to be intrested in each other. After all there is a reason you fell in love in the first place.

3.Having routine for the kids. Im strict with my routine. Its been my saving grace. I have used one since my first baby was born and its still in place. With FIFO I think that routine is essential. Mine operates around meal times and the kids must be in bed by 730pm. I continue to use routine when dad comes home other wise its a nightmare when he goes back to work.

4.Daddy/ mummy isnt leaving he/she is going to work. I think telling the kids that mum or dad is off to work rather than he is leaving again is better and the kids can process that better. We dont make a fuss about daddy going back to work we just ensure that the night before is good relaxed quality time. We also have a map in teh boys room where daddy works so they can see where he is. For us our daddy is off shore so we can track him via a website depending on which vessel he is on. I think making a deal of the parent leaving could develop anxiety.

5.Look after yourself and dont be afraid to ask for help. Easy to say but please dont be afraid to ask anyone for help. If you are not coping thats okay. Our job is masive and sometimes it becomes to much. Outsource some work if you can. Use a baby sitter. I was too embarrassed to ask for help and it resulted in about of depression and exhaustion. So in saying that give yourself 15 minutes a day if you can weather it be walking, mediating or reading something for you. Its essential that you are well to get through your shift or swing until your partner comes home to take the load off and when they do come home. Take a rest even for a day be selfish for just a minute you deserve it.

Is there any that you use that you can share? Have a lovely Friday.

XX Deb