Tonight I sat down to write a post about how many things make this FIFO gig fantastic.
I am often writing tales of woe and difficulty working with a roster that sees me solo parent for six months of the year. After each post like that I read all the comments and think, “Bloody hell Karin, you big whinger!”. For that reason I really wanted to highlight some of the many ways FIFO, for us, isn’t so bad.
And I will one day.
But I just can’t tonight.
When I write I can only go with what my heart is pumping out. Perhaps not the most professional but if it isn’t in my heart, it ain’t working!
I am on day 19 of flying solo with my two kidlets. Thank goodness I get a bit of a break with them both having places to be for a few hours because, WOW, am I done!
Our normal roster of 15 days away has gone by for a few days of overtime. Yes the extra cash is great but it seems my parenting brain clocks back to midway come day 16 because I’m not supposed to be flying solo anymore.
I know many people fly solo for longer and single parents are full time, but when you know where the finish line is at it sucks to break the ribbon and then have to go 5 more laps!
Is that money worth it? Right now I am thinking no. When we holiday soon (one of the good points I wanted to chat about) it will be so helpful but right now, no. I am pretty sure my husband feels the same… or he isn’t game enough to say otherwise.
Now with some hours to myself (I get 5 hours a week plus two days of however long Leni’s day sleep is) I will take myself out to breakfast, release the steam that is just hanging out inside and get some work done too.
This afternoon at pick up I will try to remain cool when it takes forever to get out the gate.
I will try to remain cool when my oldest wants to play at daycare when I know we have to leave.
I will try to remain cool when dinner is the same freaking thing it has been all week because no one lets me cook anything else!
I will try to remain cool because it is the final countdown and in another 24 hours it is a fair playing field once again.
There are so many reasons why this FIFO life is pretty good, just right now I can’t write about any of them.
Don’t send pity, we are all well and will survive with deep breaths. x
If I had a magic wand and could give you 5 hours to yourself and you didn’t HAVE to do anything, what would you do?
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Darling girl, the FIFO life of a wife is not an easy one. And I totally get the disappointment of having to go an extra few days of solo parenting when the end was so close in sight. This post puts me into perspective when I go a little ape when my hubby is late from work!!
Wait until you have that holiday to pump out that post because you will be in a better frame of mind and the best thing is, when you’re feeling how you are now, you can bookmark that post and re-read it to remind you of the positives. Sending you a warm virtual hug and hope that today is a great day for you my friend. xx
Thank you lovely! Catching up with you on the GC was a nice break too. I struggled to get back on the highway to head home. I could have happily shopped the afternoon away. 🙂
Hats off to you. My husband has been commuting between sydney and Brisbane for almost 4 years now (gone anywhere from 2-6 days and never the same 2 weeks in a row) but I could not have done it when they were little (they were 7 and 9 at the start so in school all week). Enjoy any moments you get to yourself lovely. Xxx
Thanks Deb, I certainly will. x
I often wish my husband would travel more because HE’S ALWAYS HERE and sometimes I need space. But now I’m not so sure! Hang in there …
Hahaha! Yes, there are times when I am fine on fly out day. 😉
You’ve got to write what you feel. I hope the next 24 hours go faster than a super sonic rocket ship. xx
He is home! Woot! I made it. Still not ready to write that other post yet. 🙂
I struggle with my kids from the 4-8pm bracket before dad gets home. It’s hard work doing solo with six for a few hours each day! Hope it all goes smoothly.
I can just imagine Jody!!! Argh!
I do have a day to myself today. I’m going op shopping then watching a movie with my best friend. I’m very lucky to get days like this. I don’t know how you do the FIFO thing, it sounds hard!
I will write that good list soon because there really are benefits.
Love I seriously don’t know how you do it. You’re amazing. And you’re completely within your rights to feel over it at this point!! Hang tight, won’t be long now x
One more night and I’m done. x
I get the huffs on when husband is 30 minutes late home from work- and he only leaves me to ‘handle it’ for 8 hours at a stretch!! Yes, there’s lots to be thankful for, but I don’t think any parent who’s been asked to go a few extra laps when they think they’re at the finish line is able to muster up more than a brave smile. Almost there 🙂
One more child to go to sleep and I am there!! 😀
You know I feel ya on the FIFO thing, that life ain’t easy no matter what money is being thrown at you. Big hugs for the next 24hours & fingers crossed your little darlings are on their best behaviour.
As for time to myself, hell, I don’t even know where to start! If I had the spare cash I’d go get a massage & wander a book store & sit in a nice place & have lunch with my husband, just the two of us.
I like your 5 hours, I would gladly take all that too. Except with my husband, though I am sure yours is a very rad guy too. 🙂
Hang in there – you’re almost at the finish line. I’m not sending pity but I am sending a virtual hug and some virtual wine x
xx Almost there, dragging my feet and my wine glass.
All the feels. My girls are older but I still find around day 17 I crack. Its also the absolutely no contact with hubby because he is on a boat in the middle of nowhere that doesn’t help.
Hubby leaves on Monday, this time it is only a week. He was thinking he might extend it, with a stop over and enjoy a couple of days catching up with family. I’m struggling physically with my health at the moment and basically struggling day to day as a result. I would have preferred him to come straight home. Am I wrong to be annoyed about this?
I can completely see how you could be annoyed about that. You are having a rough trot at the moment health wise and an extra set of hands would be extremely helpful. Sending you all the good, healthy vibes because it must be ridiculously tough.
What is it with kids and them not wanting to leave daycare/preschool. It drives me batty. It takes an age to get them there in the morning with the feet dragging and wanting to “be at home with you forever” that my 4.5 year old always trots out, but come pick up time I have to almost drag her out the door and home!
I honestly don’t think I’d be able to survive FIFO. Dave works 4 12-hour shifts on and then has three and a half days off, and even with him being home in the morning or evening (depending on whether or not he has worked day or night shift) I still hang for his days off and having an extra set of hands. When he does overtime it’s a weird paradox, like punishment, but the money is so good!
That boost of cash is always helpful every-so-often. We used to do a 4 days on (only into work when required) and 4 days off, now that was a treat!! We did live away from both sets of parents then but the roster was absolute gold.
It must be hard when the finishing line is moved! I hope you enjoyed your breakfast time out!
I ended up not going! But I did buy some very yummy summer rolls for lunch. 🙂
I always thought night shift was bad when my babies were little. It was like being a single parent as he slept all day (I needed to keep them quiet – yeah right) and worked all night.
Oh that would be so hard trying to keep them quiet. I had to do that today but I just take them out somewhere. Hard enough doing that once let alone nearly everyday!
I’ve recently become a single parent, unfortunately not temporary and it’s the hardest thing in the world. I’m just grateful that my girls are now old enough to help out.
Mandy, the switch can be difficult for me but I still know in two weeks (normally) I will have a second set of hands. Look after yourself. x
I’m a single parent and It’s not easy. 5 hours to myself is bliss. I tend to spend it lying on the sofa if I’m not working:-) Hope you get some much needed rest soon.
I bet! I think about single parents when I tell myself to harden up. How good is a nice sofa lay down. It’s a toss up if best in silence or watching a favourite TV show.
I agree with you, although I’m not a FIFO wife. There are times when the extra overtime is very welcome (for the money) but often it’s not coz I’d rather have my hubby around.
He has been home for 12 hours and already I have said no overtime for a few months. 🙂
Sending lots of love it is a tough gig you do whether it is the life you choose or not. I am sure you will get through it and I am glad you have plans for the time you have to yourself!
Thanks Kit
People seem to side eye FIFO families as if they made the choice and therefore don’t have the right to complain or comment about the difficulties involved. My mum wrote a piece online about how my Dad’s FIFOing affects her / them at 60 and some people got stuck in. My dad is a train driver and has always worked away / shiftwork / asleep but I wonder how it would have been if he were 2 on, 2 off when we were kids.
It took me so long to actually start talking about FIFO life because I felt I couldn’t because we didn’t do it hard enough. Stupid I now have decided. You do choose the lifestyle, kind of but similar circumstance to your Dad my husband is a pilot so it isn’t like he is ever really going to get a 9 to 5 job.
Exactly, Dad’s been a driver for nearly 40 years and when redundancies are happening in your home state, you need to go where the work is especially so close to retirement