Surviving When Daddy's Away

It's 3.5 weeks into my husband's business trip and I'm so thankful there are only three days to go until he's home.  I thought the tearful goodbye was going to be the hard part, or perhaps taking care of the heart-broken dog who thinks my husband is her best friend, or the kids missing daddy.  Nope!  I was wrong.

How do you survive balancing your personal and professional life which includes three children, night school and a love sick dog?  

You fake it 'till you make it.

Yep.  That's all I've concluded.  No wise words of wisdom.  Just that piece of advice...fake it 'till you make it.  I decided that knowing he was coming back, eventually, made things almost harder because I just wanted him back NOW.  And I knew he would be soon...this wasn't a forever gig.  So, I just pretend all is ok on the outside, keep everyone happy and balls all up in the air, and hope I don't drop one on my head.

It's been a comedy of errors since my husband left.  We've had an AC unit go out, a shower mount fall off the wall, illness, a broken arm, a giant goose egg to the back of the head, water delivered that has sat outside cause I cant lift it inside, shattered spice jar all over the kitchen floor, a vacuum that decided to break when the jar shattered, a neurotic dog who licks the door hoping daddy will walk through, a month old dirty car I just can't seem to find time to clean and grey hair growing in that I just haven't been able to color.  (When your friend points out the grey, you know you've been neglecting yourself.). One thing after another...and that's just my home life!

However, through it all, I have my little vents on Facebook with friends, I hash out the work day with a coworker before heading home and I try to keep a smile on my face and continue helping everyone around me.  So what if I wear the wrong shoes, forget to turn the crockpot on or drive to a destination only to realize its not where I wanted to go.  

I kept the dog alive, the kids fed, most of the house in one piece and managed to keep my job.  Super mom, no.  An overly organized mom who can pretend, most times, that everything is under control?  Yep.  Faking it 'till we make it...which right now, is three days longer.

How do you handle transition into one parent households when your spouse travels?  What's the funniest thing that has happened while on your own?

Kid-Free Zones on Airlines

Have you heard about the latest buzz surrounding airlines and kids?  Several Asian airlines are the forerunners in now offering kid-free zones on flights, hoping to appease those who want little to do with kids on flights.  Seriously?  AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines think they've come up with the solution, and its expected that more airlines will follow. 

I can understand not wanting to hear a baby cry, a kid scream or a frantic mother shouting at her kids to be quiet.  Have you been in her shoes?  I bet she's more terrified of your reactions and thoughts about her parenting and her kids than you even care to consider.  As parents, we do what we can, when we can.  A flight might just be one of the most unpredictable situations we can put our children in, and we just hope and pray that they make it through peacefully without anyone scrutinizing.  But "hiding" children on a flight is like having smoking and non-smoking areas on a flight...it didn't work.

Several companies, like Etihad and Emirates are doing it right.  They are providing goodie bags, toys and even stuffed animals and blankets...all with the child's peace of mind at heart.  Etihad has even just recently announced their brilliant program, Flying Nannies!  They  know families need to travel and they know its not always easy.  Here, they've come up with an idea to help parents and kids instead of hiding them.  "They’re here to provide an extra pair of hands – whether it’s helping to get the children settled for bed, keeping them entertained or simply offering advice and support to parents." -Etihadairways.com

What's your take on "kid-free" zones?  Peter Greenberg shared his thoughts as well.

@PeterSGreenberg How does that stop the noise of a child? Like Non-smoking section on flights used to stop the smoke? #travel
— Heather Barnard (@expattravelmom) September 2, 2013