Hi - I just found this group - thanks for starting it!

My husband and I have been together 9 years. He has always traveled...I am used to that. He is out for 6 weeks this trip.

The problem I am having now is that we have 2 little girls, and I am alone in this city. We have no family here to help. I am struggling with the mundane chores of keeping up a household. The laundry, the cooking, the cleaning...all that great stuff. I am stressed out and I feel like my kids aren't getting enough of me due to all the stuff I have to get done. I end up putting the tv on while Im making dinner and other times throughout the day to keep them occupied when I cannot give them the attention they need.

I end up doing a lot of it when they go to bed, but then I am up late and have no "me" time.

Do any of you have these issues? How do you handle the chores and kids when you are alone?

It is also hard to not get resentful to my husband. He is traveling the world in nice hotels, having alone time, getting tons of attention, being an adult - going out, getting to the gym..He is looking great and I feel like life here has haggered me a bit! I am jealous, though I know he is missing out. It is frustrating when he gets home and the girls are all over him - when I have been doing EVERYTHING for them.

Anyone else in my shoes?

Hi Jen.

So sorry to hear about all you are dealing with. It is really hard, and in Nov last year I put an end to my relationship. He was extremely self-absorbed and away all the time, coming home to the bills paid, house clean, meals made, etc. When he had a break from touring and was recording, doing local gigs, I asked him for 8 weeks of Wed nights for couple time, suggesting we go and take a cooking class together, or just have a date night, investigating new cafes etc. He said no, because he MIGHT be offered a gig, and he did enough adventuring when on tour. That made me feel like rubbish. In the end Music was #1 and I was never ever going to be put first.

So what I say to you is, are you still making time for each other? You fell in love before you had children, and although they are vitally important, you need to make time for you and him when he is home, date nights, etc. You need to be who you really are, openly and honestly with him, and not just the wifey at home with the kids while he is off. I know that touring is hard, and not all nice hotels, fun in the sun, etc. so put that aside, put the things you do for the children while he is away aside, and focus on the essence of who you are as a couple.

All the best.