She's been gone two weeks. I knew this was coming for months but somehow I wasn't ready. I'm handling the kids fine (6 and 3), keeping the house mostly together, but I feel... empty? Like I don't know who I am without someone else needing me all day. Got snappy with my boss yesterday over nothing. Is this normal? Should I be worried?
What part is hitting you hardest? Is it the actual hands-on parenting stuff or more the mental load of managing everything solo?
Two weeks in is actually the hardest part. That initial shock wears off after a month or so. You've been doing the mental heavy lifting for months so when it actually happens your brain short circuits a little. That's normal.
Real talk: you might want to talk to someone about this. Not because you're weak or anything, but transitioning from one life structure to another is legitimately hard and sometimes it helps to have someone neutral to process it with.
This will get easier. I was a total wreck when mine went back and by week four I'd actually figured out a rhythm that worked. You're not failing, you're just adjusting.
Be honest with your wife about what you're struggling with specifically. Is it the schedule? The emotional stuff? The bedtime battles? Once she knows details she can probably help you troubleshoot instead of just sympathizing.
Sign in to join the conversation.
Have you and your wife talked about what she can realistically help with when she gets home? Sometimes feeling out of control comes from not having a plan in place.