Husband works in one state -- we live in Minnesota

[CindyChapman]

Since september dh has lived away, in another state....usually Iowa, north or south Dakota.
He gets to come home maybe once or twice a month for a few days. I think he'll probably stay with this job for a few more years because of the money but it really sucks for dd and me.
Oh...we're tough but it's hard.
Anyone going through the same thing? It's little stuff like I get home late from work and dd has been home from school all by herself since 2:30, I feel horrible.
Or by the time I get home from work around 7 or so I'm soooo tired I don't want to cook dinner....that's not fair to either of us. I still need to keep a normal family routine going!


So I think I'm going to start cooking a weeks worth of meals on Sundays and then freezing them so at least we have a homemade dinner.

Any easy faves pop to mind? I need all the help I can get because I'm basically a single mom....

[sharon]

That sounds really rough Cindy. There's a lot of love there though and I would bet your daughter is old enough to know you are all doing your best and all love each other.

What about crockpot meals too?

[dara1012]

Sorry that you are separated from DH due to his work schedule, that is no fun for any of you (DH, DD, you).

I haven't personally gone through this, but my uncle did this for awhile (he worked in Atlanta, family was here). His kids were little though (toddler to early elementary) and eventually he quit his job and moved back here because it was too much of a strain on his relationship w/ his wife and his kids.

If you are only planning on DH doing this for a few years, just remember to take each day one at a time. Tell DD how much you both love her, thank her for her patience with your schedules. I have a Cooking Light cookbook for fast meals. If you get some 20 or 30 min meal cookbooks and work with DD to plan a menu on the weekends for the week and get the groceries needed, you can do it. That being said with my crazy schedule there are days when I am happy if we all eat peanut butter & jelly with some carrots and applesauce and there is nothing wrong with that.

Hang in there!

[laurac]

I think Champ is in the same boat. Except she doesn't work late. I can't imagine. I'll think of easy things, Cindy and post some good recipes.

[brandi6685]

DH works in ND he is home most weekends though. But I work over nights and the kids have to go to daycare at night. Sometimes we don't get home til 4 am an then the kids get up at 8. During the week we just do easy meals. Hamburger helper Mac and cheese the veggie steamers with noodles and broccoli and then on the weekends I try to do nice dinners.

[deannemdm]

Check the recipes section. I posted a few easy quick and cheap meals and I think most of them would freeze fine. To dress them up try getting refridgerator biscuits or ice cream toppings for sundaes

[charliesmom05]

This is why we moved from the east coast to MN. dh was gone so long at a time, ds was just 2.5 years old, it was hard on all of us. we would do facetime when we could.

hugs to you Cindy. It is hard. I think you are doing everything you can.

[bumblebee23]

I hear ya. DH drove semi for a few months last year and we all hated him being gone including him. It is extremely hard to deal with. Sorry to hear you are having to go through this too. It isn't easy when a member of your family has to be gone.

I'm not much of a cook on a good day so I have no suggestions on freezer meals but I'm sure the other ladies will.

[sarahisis]

homemade baked mac n cheese freezes well too
and I second the freezing chicken and cooked ground beef.. easy to make tacos, nachos, or a goulash (which freezes well too)
get creative with grilled cheese.. it can be made so many ways!

[angel22]

I know what you're going through on the DH front, Cindy. DH and I have been married 7 years at the end of this month but he has lived away for the majority of 5 of those years. Some of those times (like right now) he can come home almost every weekend. (This current arrangement has been going on for 1 1/2 years right now.) Other times- like when I was pg with DD2 and for the first 6 months of her life- he lived and worked in South Dakota and couldn't come home all of the time. Married but single motherhood is interesting- it has it's pros and cons but since there is no way to change it all you can do is figure out hwo to deal with it.
As for the food ideas, well, I'm not a big fan of cooking and my kids don't really eat all that much so weekday cooking is pretty minimal around here. I do like to brown a whole lot of hamburger at one time and freeze it in smaller containers so i can just add it to recipes as needed. Chili, spaghetti sauce, soups, hot dishes, and so forth are easy to make and all keep well in the freezer for reheating. =) The crockpot is also your best friend when you are gone all day and in need of a real meal at the end of the day!
(((HUGS))) to you and DD!

[typninmypjs]

I'm not personally dealing with this, but I personally know 4 couples who are married but living in different states due to work. As for meals, casseroles are always good, as are crockpot meals. One of my friends (going through this) takes her son to Let's Dish and they prepare meals together.

[laurac]

Let's Dish would be a great idea for you and DD, Cindy!

[cwolbeck]

I am sort if in the same kind of boat. My husband works crazy hours and I usually only see him a couple minutes a day. Luckily I'm a stay at home mom.
lasagna freezes well. Summers coming bears, hamburgers and steak, quick and easy. Pasta only takes at the most 11 mins. Taco'sor get get a quesadilla maker. Salads are easy.
I feel for you!

[sharon]

How is all this going Cindy? Have you found some routines and recipes that are working well? I hope so!

I was just reading about a family in which the two parents are legally forced to live in different continents! Crazy stuff. I hope you are all managing.