Jessie , mother of three kids aged 8 years, 6 years and 4 years living in Perth. Jessie work part-time two days a week and my hubby is on a 26 days on/9 days off roster.
What’s your work schedule? Do you work outside the home?
I work two days a week in the city. My hours mean that on these two days, I am dropping the older two kids at before/after school care just after opening at 7 am, dropping my youngest at daycare around 7.20 and then catching the train into the city to work. The reverse is done at 5pm with collection of the two schoolies just before 6pm closing. Hectic but doable !
How do you handle childcare? If you need it. Do you use childcare or family? Do you have support?
My eldest two are in before and after school care and my youngest in daycare on my work days. I do not really have family support (other than in a crisis!) but regularly use a babysitter to be able to do one on ones with my eldest two (rotating) as well as 2-3 hours every second weekend for me (for time out !)
Was there a reason you started FIFO? I.e. deposit for a house, lifestyle. Did you talk about it before starting? Was there a time limit? Has that happened?
The amazing opportunity came and couldn’t be passed up. The cost of living in Perth is high and we needed to financially secure our families future. Never talked about it before starting. We did have a time limit and were quite adamant that we were going to stick to it, however the financial security it has offered coupled with the quality family time when hubby is home has somewhat quashed the likelihood of us sticking to our original time limit. In saying that, hubby and I have agreed that if issues were arising to the extent of our family unit suffering, we will pull the pin in an instant and walk away, something ventured, much gained.
What do you like best about FIFO?
The financial security. That will sound like such a materialistic statement but having been poorer (both of us working part-time), money gives you options and different stresses. It has been a big communication /commitment curve for us as a couple, but we go on more dates now than we did when hubby was home full-time.
What do you find so-so/tricky/hilariously bad about FIFO? What would change if you had a magic wand?
Definitely the roster , it is C*R*A*P*P*Y*.
Magic wand : a robot to stay with 3 kids in a car while I dash into the shops. You can get a bit over *always*bringing*a*posse*with*you*
How do you and your husband fit marriage into the balance? Do you have any time for yourself?
Dates when he is back (usually at least two .) We talk every day.
My work days are time to myself in a way – wow , a lunch break with *no-one* in tow. Go to the gym three times a week (use the gym crèche) , and time out every second weekend for 2 or 3 hours.
Do you get lonely? How do you handle it?
Yup, go to bed with a good book or 50!!! ha, ha! Watch a DVD while folding washing. Keep in contact with a group of fantastic girlfriends who are good listeners/good for a laugh.
Do the kid’s miss dad? How do you handle it?
They’re amazingly resilient, yes, they miss him and sometimes there is tears (usually toward the end of the swing) but generally they accept that this is what his work involves and when he is home he is fully immersed in their lives (school drops, school reading roster, one on ones. Etc. ) They speak to him every day. We often talk about how everyone is feeling about things and I share with them when I’m feeling lonely and missing him.
Do you ever wonder how other women manage the juggle? Have you talked to other women about it?
I’ve talked to a few FIFO mothers at my kids school , a girlfriend who’s hubby has done it for years as well as read a lot about how other women handle it. It was very helpful in the beginning gathering all the information and options and now as time has gone on, you get into a routine of what works for you, its streamlined for our particular family unit.
What advice would you give to other mums about how to balance FIFO life?
Always remember hubby and you are a *TEAM* and the focus should be on your *family* goal, different things work for different people and it is really important to nurture yourself. – we are integral to this working, or not.
Interview as told by Jessie..
In case you missed it here’s is another real life FIFO mum.. Alycia..who works a 12 week roster..now that takes a little patience..
