[jomumof2]

Hi baby-blue eyes ,
My hubby works in the Pilbara and we live in Vic. He does 9days on 5 days off. Our children are Boy 5.5 years and Girl 3.5 years. Everyone has an opinion on FIFO families. All my friends say how quick the time goes, how great it would be to have time out (ha this is funny ), and all the things you mentioned. They forget you have the kids on your own and are doing everything yourself, working, managing the house, spending time with the kids, etc . Don't get me wrong FIFO is working for us and we have our routines etc and the kids love the 5 full days with dad every 2nd weekend, it is better time with him than when he worked 5 days a week (longer hours). I also work 3 days per week in a business we are partners in, so that also keeps me and the kids busy.You always have your bad days but need to work out if you have more bad days than good and ask yourself if FIFO is really working for you and your family. The answer for us is YES so we will keep going and working towards our goal. If the answer for you is NO than i would sit down with hubby and duscuss the options availabe so you and the kids are happy. Have you made a plan on how long you would like to keep doing FIFO work? Does your hubby know how you and the kids feel about it all this time? Is moving back an option for you?
I'm probably not much help for you but thought asking the above questions might sort out a few things for you and also to let you know we are all in the same boat and i'm here for a chat if you feel like venting.

I find when hubby is away and friends invite us out to a function etc, I feel awkward going on my own and don't want people to think i'm out having a great time while hubby is away working. I dont want people to think i'm mopping around but i don't want them to think i'm having a blast not having him around. IFYWIM

Things that help us are getting the kids to talk and skype with dad every day and he talks to them just before bed time. We count down the days until he is home, email pics and any special things to dad to make him feel apart of the family and to give him the heads up before he talks to the kids and he can ask them about it before the have to tell him. I scan awards, pictures, anything really. We try and plan a special family day when he is home, go to the movies or an outing and dinner as well as just quiet time at home.

Anyway these are some of the things we do, they work for us and I hope you are feeling a little less frustrated and knowthat we all know how you feel.
Take care and hope to hear from you soon.
Cheers Jo

This post has been edited by jomumof2: 17/07/2011, 10:08 PM

[Just Mel]

Hi Ladies!
Haven't been on EB for ages and just got a topic notification thingo to my email saying someone had relied here so firgured it's a good excuse to pop back in

Hi to all the new ladies Will try and come back later when i ahve more time to give my "survival" tips for those early months but just quickly, keep your chins up, it does get better! Those first 6 or so months are the hardest of all, especially without support, but it does get easier as time goes by

We are all good here, absolutely flat out most of the time but good all the same We have been in our house about 3 weeks now and all is going well. I still have about a gazzillion boxes to unpack but I am getting there slowly so maybe by this time next year we will be unpacked! hahaha

The kiddos are all good too, school holidays at the moment so we are all enjoying the sleep ins and later nights Just before the holidays Hamish got accepted into a junior extension program (Kind of like PEAC for younger kids) so he is very excited about that...Jessie not so much, I had to reassure her that they didn't have that program when she was in year 2! LOL

Anyways, better run the kids are fighting...what was I saying about loving holidays?! LOL

Hope all is good with everyone and I will try and be back soon

[ozymarah]

Jumping in here to say hi. DH starts up at Clermont this week on a 12/9 roster. We are looking forward to the new job as he has had trouble finding good paying work since retiring from the military.

We have three kids and I work 28hrs a week so no doubt I will be busy! Would love to know if there is anyone else on the East Coast.

M:)

[Oma Desala]

Hi Ozymarah, I'm on the east coast too ( around Brisbane). DF works offshore (22/20) and is also ex defence.

We have a DS5 and I don't work at the moment

This post has been edited by Oma Desala: 25/09/2011, 11:07 PM

[Em1982]

Hi my DH is looking into employment in the mining industry as he has been self employed for 20+years and feels he needs a change.

He has been in contact with an employment web site called Mining Australia and they are asking for a payment of $200+ so before we take the next step I was wondering if anyone knows any thing about this site and if it is ligit or not...

Thanks

[2_little_boys]

Hi

Looks quite in here

I am in Adelaide and hubby is currently waiting on his medical. 3 interviews down for the same job. Job is based in WA.

We have 2 boys - nearly 5yo and nearly 9yo.

I work fulltime also so it might be a bit of a challenge to do this but Im sure it will be fine

Look forward to getting to know people in here

[Me+2]

Hi,

I didn't even know this thread was here!

I am fairly new to the FIFO lifestyle. DH does 3/1 at the moment but that could be changing to 4/1 because the work is picking up.

We moved about 7 months ago from QLD to WA. I left behind all my family and friends. I am slowly making friends but would love to make some more so if anyone can recommend a mothers group or playgroup for FIFO families that would be great


ETA: I am in Port Kennedy but I would be willing to drive

This post has been edited by DH+Me+2: 17/02/2012, 12:16 PM

[Chillbub]

Hi Im A FIFO mum to be .... in Perth - love to meet some other mums like me!!

[~ky~]

My DH starts his induction next week and will going to Gwalia Deeps on a 2/1 roster. We're looking forward to spending more time with him after having run the WA branch of the company he used to work for out of our home office and his work day often extending from 3am - 9pm which meant the kids missed out and so did he.

I have 3 kids. Bella 11yo, Daniel 9yo and Anna 3 months old. I also live in Port Kennedy. We'll have to see how we go ...

[sportysmurf]

Hi everyone!

I was a member here on EB years ago when I had DD#1...that was 9 years ago now, time goes so quick. I also have DD#2 (8yrs).

We live in NZ and DH is on his 3rd swing of FIFO in WA. Hes on a 4/1 (weeks) and omg its haaaaarrrrd!! Such a long swing, but any shorter would be insane, considering he would have to fly back to NZ more than the once a month he does atm. We cant relocate over to OZ as we have commitments here...so we will just truck on and see how we go.


FIFO is pretty much unheard of here, and when he first went over, there was alot of gossip lol. But things have settled down and just getting on with things. I miss DH, but the $$ is amazing and will get us ahead alot quicker. I work part time in so keep busy with that and the kids.

I'll check back on this thread