Tips on Staying Connected/Re-Connecting with Frequently Traveling Spouse

How about creating a family journal, your daughters can help you with it. Everyone can write down what's going on, what's coming up, what their excited for and what they could use some help/support with.
Maybe you could do more of a personal journal that you could share with him that included the struggles as well as high points to your day.
When my husband traveled a lot, we gave each other notes (not full length letters) just to let one another know we were thinking of them and looking forward to being together again.
Good luck.

I found a great software program called www.cozi.com that allows my husband and I to stay more connected, especially when one of us is traveling. I can even use the phone messaging system to have Cozi's computer voice leave him messages as well as we always leave him messages in our voices as well. He can see our schedule and we can see his schedule so we are all on the same page and feel more involved in each other's world. I noticed that you are interested in being a pro-organizer, I am heading to the NAPO (National Associate of Professional Organizers) convention in Minneapolis this week to meet up with one of my friends who is a Pro-Organizer in GA.

Smiles - S.

Hi K.,
I have a GREAT idea.......start a Private Blog. There is one called BLOGSPOT and you could add pictures and put events and updates to it daily, even hourly if you wanted. You could add things like "Thinking of you right now and missing you SO much" or write even more descriptive things like "Wish you were here.....going to bed".

Take pictures of the kids doing just normal things at home, maybe holding a sign like "Miss you Dad" or have people take pictures of you with the kids.

Also, if you know what hotel he's going to be staying at, and if he's going to be there for a while, or enough time to receive it, send a care package with his favorite snacks and a movie and a personal note. He'll love it, I can guarantee it! Maybe then he will start returning the favor and do it for you!

Just an idea....

J. In Lakeland,MN

I would suggest emailing him and even sending pictures of what's going on so he feels like he was there. Another fun thing would be to start a blog that he can look at and go back and look at anytime he is bored or lonely. If you find one that allows short video clips that would be even better.
I have foster kids and every once and again when I have time I'll put together a little photo collage for the parents so they can see what they're doing and that they're having fun. Who knows if they even keep them but I think it's something your husband would like. I just use Cardmaker and do a blank project. Just cut and paste photos in and print. Really easy.
Best Wishes,
J.

Does he have email access while he's away? You could do weekly photo scrapbooks of your events. Things the kids have done in school, silly things they've made messes of, random pictures of the house, you, the kids, pets, etc.

Maybe have your girls make books out of construction paper detailing what they're going to be doing the coming week while he's away, so they can look forward to the conversation when he returns about how things went.

Do you have any "inside" jokes between the two of you? My husband and I have little things we leave lying around the house for the other to find that are just dorky things that only we'd know. We also keep journals about our family life (ie how the kids are doing, our hopes/fears, things we enjoy the most, things we'd like to change, etc) and allow each other to read them. Sometimes things we can't quite express face to face come out there instead.

I hope you're able to find something to help ease the strain of his absense. I can't even imagine how hard it is on your family to be apart like this. Good luck!!

Jess

My husband also travels frequently sometimes for weeks at a time. We talk everyday, whether it be for 5 min or 20 minutes. He always asks how my day went, how the girls were, what we did...you get the point. If yours does not ask, just tell him. Communication is the number one thing that you need especially with a travelling hubby. Always let your girls talk to him too!! I have a two year old and an 8 month old and he always says hi and love you to both of them. Now that the older one can carry on more of a convo she talks to him quite a bit. Hope this helps. If you ever need another mom to talk to let me know. Take care, T.

Well... my situation is a little different becasue my husband is in Iraq and has been gone since Oct. 2005. Anyway, communication is a big key with the both of us. It usally ends up me doing alot of the talking becasue my husband can't or doesn't want to tell me what hes doing. We have a 14 month old son and one on the way. But usally even if it is the stupid little things kids do I tell my husband anyway so he knows whats going on with Eli. Usally when he calls I will let Eli hold on to the phone and my husband will talk to him and he will just smile. So its not much but I just find even telling him the little things keeps him from feeling so much out of the loop. Also taking pictures and emailing them helps alot. I hope this helps you out a little. Good Luck. :)