Flying Solo: The Pilot Wife Plan for Long Weeks Alone

The Never-Set, Always-Changing Schedule of a Pilot…

It’s a living. A different living than the normal, home-every-day, 9-to-5. The pilot is home, the pilot is gone. And life still rolls: school, sickness, work, kids, meals.

All the Stuff of Life.

…Means the Never-Set, Always-Changing Routine of a Pilot’s Wife or Husband

My husband’s trips away used to make me anxious. Ten years down the road of parenthood, I manage much better now. I put less pressure on myself to keep up, and try to make the time as enjoyable with my kids as possible.

I do certain kinds of work, and take certain kinds of breaks.

Maybe you’re a pilot wife, a business traveler’s wife, or maybe the husband of a wife in one of these professions. Maybe you’re married to someone in one of the many jobs that require a change in routine and several days of managing home and family on your own. Maybe how I roll will work for you and yours.

Stock Up

Groceries. So you don’t have to go to the store while he’s gone
Your favorite drink
Cheese
Crackers
Popcorn
Pizza. One for supper, one for you.
Plenty of toilet paper
Snack foods for you
Snack foods for kids
Cereal for as many suppers as you need. It’s always a hit with kids.

I eat mostly healthy, you know.

Clean Up

You don’t really have to do this. Going solo with kids when your spouse is gone is tough enough. But this can be a great time to do certain kinds of tasks. Sometimes though, it’s a great opportunity to clean out an area when you can commandeer the other person’s side of the bed.

Kick Back

Watch movies. Or hey, it’s 2017…binge watch a television show! Because our husbands don’t have to like everything we want to see. Do this on a school night and put the kids to bed even a little earlier than usual,

Survive

Skip the complaining and feed the kids what they want for dinner.
Leave dishes in the sink. You’re going to need the same dishes tomorrow anyway.
Put off non-essential laundry.
Stay up too late: reading, watching TV, whatever your brain needs to digress.
Take up the whole bed. And all of the pillows while you’re at it.
Schedule a babysitter so you can get out. Yes, it’s ok to use a babysitter when you’re spouse is away.
Pick up takeout when needed to avoid making a meal. And cleaning up a meal. And dishes.
Do a household quiet time.