How do you keep yourself busy while your husband is deployed?

Beth - posted on 09/08/2009

Well my husband is on his 3rd deployment right now, and this one is like no other for me. I am in a different position now then I was 2 years ago when he was gone. I live 2 hours away from his unit, my family is 3 hours away, i have my mother-in-law on the same property but she is not in the best of health. I do keep very busy with 2 kids in school, taking care of my house and my mother-in-laws...but I never have time to myself and find it very hard to get away. I have had nothing but problems here at the house since he left and have had to manage to do it on my own. I am afraid to leave the house, live way out in the country so not much opportunity to get involved with selling or volunteer work....I am literally going crazy with this deployment! I am a very strong and independant person but not seeing much good so far with this deployment....Anyone have any advice?

D.Denise - posted on 09/08/2009

There's no need to be upset. Yes, it's difficult holding down the fort while they're away, but being angry isn't helpful. I find volunteering is helpful. As is taking classes, or picking up a new hobby. I do a lot of craft work: quilting, scrapbooking, chrochetting, to pass the time. Also, keep the lines of communication open; send emails, funny stories, webcam with him if you can. I bury myself in my kids activities, so that there's not as much time feeling depressed that "he's" gone. Also, coming to this website and giving advice helps too. Good luck and don't worry...he'll be back before you know it! :)

Carolelizabeth - posted on 09/03/2009

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Crissy - posted on 09/01/2009

Quoting Dahlia :

I keep myself busy by making jewelry and Avon. I was also working until we moved. I have not found another job at my new PCS.  YES I posted this too. I sell Avon as well...once you hit Leadership , you have to FORCE yourself to slow down. I LOVE AVON, and so do most military wives on Post. :)

Crissy - posted on 09/01/2009

On the second Iraq deployment, and waiting for my husband to come home I felt the same way. A month ago I started selling Avon. I am loving it. I am making some great money at it, into Leadership with Avon now, and who doesn't love getting great makeup with a discount? I do it when I feel like it, my daughter loves going through the books and it keeps me busy. I'd love to personally sign you up, but I think you're a bit too far away. Check it out. Avon.com Hope it works for you. God Bless

Keren - posted on 08/31/2009

I work from home so that keeps me busy...THANK GOD I found this company three years ago.

Thank you all for sharing...I am always curious what others are doing, as I know some women get bored.

Jessica - posted on 08/31/2009

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!



No joke, I was a SAHM during our first deployment, and I thought I'd go nuts!

Join the FRG, get to play groups on base, utilize the CDC for free child care - if only for an hour mental break of window shopping- because you need to take care of you so you can take care of your child.



Or when the kiddo is asleep hit up the military wives message boards for support and adult conversation!!!

Tabitha - posted on 08/27/2009

I have met my wonderful husban in New Orleans when he was station there. I met him at and it was like love at first site. He was playing pool with his friend and I was there just to eat. Then he just asked me out on our first date and then next thing I new it we were married. We met in August 06 an he propsose to me on christmas in Colorado Springs in the mountains. Then we got married in February 07 and had our first child in december of 07 and had our daughter in Juneof 09. We truly adore each other and every moment, cause you never know whens the last time you will see each other. So I want to live each moment knowing how lucky I am to have met someone like him and that we have met that night for a reason. I am Thankfuly for my family.

Jessica - posted on 08/27/2009

I homeschool my 8 year old daughter and I have a 3 year old son. We also have yearly memberships to the zoo and seaworld. This is my husband's third deployment. He just left in July and won't be back until March 2010. He will leave again in Oct 2010 for another 6 month deployment. I'm a Navy wife.

Lori - posted on 08/21/2009

While my husband was deployed I went to school full time(online), coached my daughter's cheerleading squad, and worked full time amongst the other duties of cooking, cleaning and yard work along with spending as much time with my daughter as possible to make the time go by faster.

Brooke - posted on 08/19/2009

I have a 3 and a one year old. I keepy busy. My husbands in the coast guard so his deployments are only 3 months. Were in San Diego and we are from LA so I go home to family and it helps.

Jade - posted on 08/19/2009

this was the hardest thing for me. my fiance recently joined the navy, and left for basic training while i'm stuck in plainfield pennsylvania, which just so happens to be the middle of no where... & i'm 7 months pregnant. i was bored out of my mind. i found myself crying a lot, and spending a lot of time with my mom. i was used to spending everyday with him, and i don't drive. i have no tv no phone. no nothing at the moment, and this made it especially hard. i just read, and watched movies, eventually hung out with friends, planned a trip to the beach with them. and did all the household stuff that i could. shopping cleaning etc. but this site might help you.... www.heartsofourtroops.com it's great. those ladies helped me help myself. :) good luck

Karin - posted on 08/18/2009

Children help lol, I also work out, cook, clean, and go to school full time. School is very hard and stressful but in the end is so worth it cus it takes up alot of time. And it also helps you focus/takes ur mind off of him being away!

Anita - posted on 08/18/2009

if u have children then your hands are full...if not try to take up hobbies...good luck with what ever you decide

Holli - posted on 08/18/2009

I have a toddler and I'm pregnant again, if that doesn't keep me busy enough... I quilt

Dahlia - posted on 08/17/2009

I keep myself busy by making jewelry and Avon. I was also working until we moved. I have not found another job at my new PCS.

Dora - posted on 08/16/2009

I do lots of things while he's gone; I work full time, take care of our 2 great kids, help with homework, clean the house, work on the yard, attend Church and volunteer when I can. I make it a point to set up projects while he's gone like painting, landscaping or anything else that I would like to have done. I also have lots of things that I do with our kids because they need distractions too. Anything that you think will make your kids happy. Trips to the beach always work for our kids. You can Google places to discover in your area.

Narelle - posted on 08/15/2009

Hi

my parnter is on deploment atm unfortunaly he only got to spend 6 days with our daughter after she was born. She keeps me rather busy, but in my spare time other then getting the house work done i love to have hot baths and just relax.

Vicky - posted on 08/15/2009

First time, volunteered at my daughter's school and raised my newborn. Last time, worked full time. I'm a teacher and we never have enough time to get everything done. So it made the deployment fly by!

Chanel - posted on 08/14/2009

I have two girls that will keep me busy and I am in college so that helps too. I am new to staying at home with the kids because I recently got off active duty myself and this is my husband's first deployment. I am looking forward to spending a lot of time with the girls though, you miss so much of their lives when you are in the military.....

Deanna - posted on 08/14/2009

when my Husband was gone i found lotes to do like charty work i make blankets and pillow for foster kids. as well as taking care or my 6 kids my mom and house work. no i do not home school but i stay involved in the kids schooling and anything else i can to not think about how long he will be gone..

Brittany - posted on 08/13/2009

I have a toddler so I am not homeschooling yet but he keeps me busy. I keep up on the house and I stay active in my church. Between choir practice, services, helping in Sunday School, ladies fellowships, prayer breakfast and visitation-I sometimes feel like I almost don't get a breather.lol My husband hasn't actually been deployed during all this but rather in the field for training. He leaves in November for a year though.