The “Unofficial” BlogHer Stay-at-Home Spouse Survival Manual: 10 Tips

July 16th, 2009

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Hear that groaning and moaning? It’s a long, low whine coming from husbands all over America as they realize that they get to watch the kids for a night or two – or even three – while the wives are away at the BlogHer ’09 conference in Chicago.

“What?,” he says.
“When?”
“But I don’t remember you telling me!”
“Where is it on the calendar?”

“But I have a meeting..I have golf..I have…”

A few weeks ago I blogged here about how hard it was for me when my husband left town for a ten day business trip. I felt like a single Mom.

Paybacks are hell. (Evil grin).

Back in the rip roaring ‘90s, when I was single and childless, I was one of the “tech road warriors.” Flying across the country every week, I’d often settle in to my airplane seat next to some mild mannered middle aged man who was on the phone with his wife or kids.

Later we’d chat and he’d say, “Oh, my wife has it much harder than me,” as he mumbled “Diet Coke” to the flight attendant.

Sure, I thought dismissively, in my know-it-all 20-something way. She’s at home with the kids. What’s so hard about that?

Flash forward 15 years and now I know what’s so hard about that.

And I have a feeling that the men of America are about to find out what’s so hard about that too.

So here’s my first tip about helping your husband to cope while you’re away.

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Isn’t that a gorgeous castle by the sea? Actually, that’s the view my husband enjoyed from one of the wonderful resort hotels he stayed in for 10 days while in Italy.

That photo came through on my iPhone just as I was finishing up dinner with our 2-year-old and 6-year-old boys. This was my view.

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That’s the bunch of hair and dirt and spaghetti and feta cheese I swept up after our dinner.

I didn’t feel too great when I compared his view to mine.

My wonderful husband says he wants me to have fun in Chicago, he hopes I have a great time, and I can send him all the crazy photos I’d like and he’ll be fine with it.

But still…I’m not so sure. My advice? No matter how beautiful Chicago  is, gals, don’t send your husbands pix of the great time you’re having while he’s dealing with your wonderfully mannered children who will be on their best behavior while Mommy is gone.

Check out OrganicMania tomorrow for more tips to share with your worried spouse as he prepares to be a single parent.    And leave me a comment with any tips to share on how you’re preparing your spouse!

— Lynn

Copyright OrganicMania 2009


5 Responses to “The “Unofficial” BlogHer Stay-at-Home Spouse Survival Manual: 10 Tips”

  1. Mindful Momma on July 16, 2009 2:48 pm

    Too funny Lynn – the photo comparison is just hilarious. looking forward to tomorrow’s tips!

    Mindful Momma’s last blog post..Shhhhh….Don’t Tell!!

  2. Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish on July 16, 2009 4:34 pm

    Hilarious. Mine will be home partying with the kitties. He could have come to Chicago. I invited him, but he declined, so he can’t complain.

    Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish’s last blog post..BPA: California let us down. The Smart Mama’s Green Guide can help.

  3. Lynn on July 16, 2009 7:44 pm

    Hey Beth and Micaela, Glad you thought it was so funny….hold on for installment #2! — Lynn

  4. Organic and Green Mom Blog | Part II of the Unofficial BlogHer Stay-at-Home Spouse Survival Manual at Organic Mania on July 17, 2009 8:00 pm

    […] = ‘organicmania’; Yesterday I blogged here about my #1 tip for helping your husband to cope with his temporary single parenthood while […]

  5. Organic and Green Mom Blog | A Day In The Life: When Advocating for Green Is Easier Than Being Green at Organic Mania on June 20, 2010 6:42 am

    […] at this point I should mention my DH was on Day Seven of an extended business trip. The one where he gets to hang out in a castle by the Mediterranean Sea. And I was spent from playing Single Mom for a […]

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