Hellobee Boards Topic: When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?

Hellobee Boards Topic: When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 14:26:41 +0000 illumina on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1150490 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 10:10:34 +0000 illumina 1150490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Grace: I'm sure you'll do just fine. I feel more confident after reading all of these replies! Ok, the house might be a complete mess by the time he gets home, but we'll survive! After next week you'll be giving me pointers! Turd Ferguson on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1150277 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 08:52:19 +0000 Turd Ferguson 1150277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ This is interesting to read! DH travels for work--he'll be home for 3-4 weeks after babygirl is born (depending on when she decides to show up!), but then has a week long (M-F) trip booked for the first week of December! mjane on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1150210 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 08:25:14 +0000 mjane 1150210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My husband had to go to conference when she was 3 weeks old--two days, one night. I second everyone else's ideas--you MUST arrange for social interaction with grownups, and meal prepping/figuring out what you'll eat is key. I invited girlfriends over for visits both the days. On one day they stayed for dinner and the other day I got my sister to invite me over for dinner. It was better than I thought it would be. And I was SO proud of myself. That said, I didn't manage to give her a bath--that's his territory--and she got her first diaper rash. Oops. But she totally survived. LuLu Mom on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1150194 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 08:18:42 +0000 LuLu Mom 1150194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ DH had a work trip 8 weeks after our birth. I did 2 nights solo, and then my mom came and stayed 2 nights with me (we were battling acid reflux and I needed a break.) Grace on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1150099 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 07:10:17 +0000 Grace 1150099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ You have great timing! My DH is going on a business trip next week. LO will be 6.5 weeks old and I need the pep talk too! gracecat on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1150060 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 05:47:08 +0000 gracecat 1150060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ When DD was 8 weeks old DH had a biz trip for maybe 3 or 4 days. This scared me because DD was waking up almost once every 1-2 hours all night. His trip was what scared me into sleep training. And it worked so I got to sleep while he was away. It kind of turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I'm not sure I would have sleep trained so early otherwise. lovehoneybee on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1149313 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 15:31:03 +0000 lovehoneybee 1149313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ He left for almost 2 weeks when LO was 6 months old. DH works 12+ hours day most of the week so the only real difference for me was not having him here for backup on the weekends. It was over Easter, and I spent a few days down with my ILs. When we were home we just kept to our normal routine. The only really bad part for me was that one of my nephews got me sick, and I was barely not bedridden over the last stretch. GrapeCrush on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1149308 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 15:28:10 +0000 GrapeCrush 1149308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ He had a business trip when DS was 12 months old dolphin on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1149272 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 15:00:35 +0000 dolphin 1149272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ You can do it!! DH traveled abroad for two weeks for work for the first time when DD was 8 weeks old as well. I ain't gonna lie...it was hard but we all survived! Have some easy meals planned or better yet, do take out so you don't have to cook! Going out for walks breaks up the day and having friends visit helps a lot! 78h2o on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1149270 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 15:00:05 +0000 78h2o 1149270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ You can totally do it! My husband has been home for the most part, but he's been having major mental/physical health issues, so I have been solo parenting the vast majority of the time since LO was born. My family lives across the country, so I can also relate to not having family around. It is challenging but completely doable. Try to get out every day if you can, maybe have a friend visit, and nap when the baby is napping if you are tired - everything is easier when you're well rested (or at least not horribly sleep deprived)! Mrs. Jump Rope on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1149269 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 14:59:52 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1149269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't think it was th first time, but my husband had a two week business trip to Italy when c was 6 or 7 months old. He'd been gone for a day or two before that, but this was the first big trip. It was tough! We didn't get to talk much and it was kind of lonely. I visited with my parents a lot so that helped. I'm used to it now. He was gone a few weeks ago for three days & was gone for 2 weeks over the summer. It gets easier! CupQuakeWalk on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1149262 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 14:50:10 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1149262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Stock the fridge. Rent some movies and get through this!!! If you have any doctor, dentist, hair, eye appointmentsd cancel them. The worst thing ever is having to take baby along. I have been solo for up to 3 days, so I just usually stay inside the whole time (aside from going to the park or on a walk). cascademom on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1149239 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 14:33:36 +0000 cascademom 1149239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ At 12 months. DH had to go to his hometown for his grandfather's funeral during Labor Day weekend. It was exhausting doing all of the routines morning and night. I'm glad that I worked from home for part of it just to keep my head above water. Kemma on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1149189 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 13:55:29 +0000 Kemma 1149189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Plan something to do each day, even if it's just a trip to the grocery store Make the most of nap times, have a shower during one nap, do some housework / prepare dinner in another and just relax during the third! Just go with it and do what you need to do to get through! You'll be fine and you can do this!! QueensBee on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1149071 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 12:55:09 +0000 QueensBee 1149071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ You can do it!! I think DH left for the first time when LO was 8 weeks old but I did have my parents nearby to help. I found the hardest part to be the lack of adult company. Is there a friend you can schedule for a visit or phone chat once a day so that you can still have some adult interaction? Chastenet on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1148873 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 11:28:49 +0000 Chastenet 1148873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Every single week since dd turned 3 weeks. DH travels 4 days a week for work. It sucks, there's no other way to put it. chopsuey on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1148804 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 11:09:31 +0000 chopsuey 1148804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ DH usually travels once a week and I solo with 2! You can do it!! Try to stock the fridge before your DH leaves and rest or get things done when the baby's asleep. sarac on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1148799 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 11:07:30 +0000 sarac 1148799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Well, you can totally do it. That being said, is there ANYONE you can try to call on? Church, friend, babysitter? If not, maybe this would be a good time to find a babysitter, try them out a time or two, and then have them over while he's gone. Bluebonnet on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1148713 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 10:33:34 +0000 Bluebonnet 1148713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ LO was 7ish weeks when DH traveled for work for the first time post baby. He was gone 4-5 days. Before DH left, I made sure: - all laundry was done (LO's, my clothes, linens, etc). I did not want to worry about running out of clean anything - we went to the grocery store and I had lots of healthy, but quick food to eat - I had a couple of "playdates" scheduled with friends so I could get out of the house and talk to adults You can totally do it! Good luck! Mrs. High Heels on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1148630 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 09:55:19 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1148630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Just last week for 4 days. It was a lot worse in my mind that it turned out to be - you can do it and you'll feel so proud once you've done it! blackbird on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1148511 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 09:00:48 +0000 blackbird 1148511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ She was 10 weeks old when DH had 2 weeks of training. It was tough feeding myself--so make some stuff ahead of time! Otherwise it wasn't so bad. I invited a girlfriend over one night and I made us dinner and handed her the baby and got a nice long, hot shower in. She was MORE than happy to help me out :) 5 days is not bad at all! Get some food prepped and load up your DVR :) autumnlove on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1148507 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:59:23 +0000 autumnlove 1148507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 4 weeks with LO and 6 weeks with 2 LOs. You can do it! Foodnerd81 on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1148504 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:58:27 +0000 Foodnerd81 1148504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think C was about 8 weeks old when Dh had to travel. I was really anxious about it! My mom came up for the weekend so I was alone for one full day and night, then my mom came for the weekend. Dh got back Sunday then left again on tues for two days when I was totally on my own. Definitely have very easy meal things ready, and make plans- I brought c to visit my office and went for extra walks with my friend in the neighborhood. The hardest part for me was that I had to walk our dog around C's schedule and the evening walks were tough. I also would usually just eat dinner after she was down for the night instead of stressing about doing t while she was awake. It was tiring but not as bad as I feared. When he got back I was like- ok here you go- you take her now!! Smurfette on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1148468 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:41:11 +0000 Smurfette 1148468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 8 weeks is when he had to take his first trip for work. Then he was home again till 12 weeks and I have been solo since then, give or take a month or so. It is hard. But you find your groove. Are you SAHM? Make sure you have something to do to get out of the house every day and find someone to interact with. Do as much meal prep as you can the night before he leaves. Don't worry about laundry or cleaning the house! Synchronicity on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1148466 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:40:43 +0000 Synchronicity 1148466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Of course you can do this! :) illumina on "When was the first time your SO had to go away, leaving you to solo parent?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-was-the-first-time-your-so-had-to-go-away-leaving-you-to-solo-parent#post-1148453 Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:36:38 +0000 illumina 1148453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Next month it looks as though Dh is going to have to travel abroad for work for 5 days, leaving me alone with S. She will be 8wks old. I know if I asked him to stay home, he would, but that's not the right thing to do, so I'm going to have to suck it up. Any tips for flying solo for this long? I don't have anyone else local to depend on, so it literally would just be me. Tell me I can do this!!