Out-of-Town Working Dads: Helping Children Cope with Separation

My husband works for a Roofing Company, and sometimes they send him out of town to work. When a husband works out of town it can be hard on the children. I have came up with some tips that will incorporate Dad in your children's everyday activities even if he is not home.

Keep a Journal for Dad: Let this be a family project, because Dad is missing out too. Have the Children draw pictures, and take photographs and put them together for your daily "log" write a brief description of your day, and the things that the children did that day. That way when Dad comes home he can read the great things that happened while he was away.

Telephone: If you can afford a nightly goodnight phone call great! This will help the children sleep better, If you cannot do the phone call then you can use a tape recorder or even a video tape. You can read a book on tape, or say goodnight prayers. Just the sound of Dads voice will help your child get a good nights sleep.

Games: Now if you do have access to a video or tape recorder you can have some fun too. Simple games like Simon says or red light green light can be played. Have Dad record himself giving commands to the children and pausing in between, and play it for the children so that Dad can be a part of game time.One that we play is "I Spy", where he gives clues to something in the room and then he pauses or I pause the video or tape until the kids guess what it is.

Picture Albums: When Dad is home take lots of pictures of family outings, trips and just everyday happenings. When Dad is away take the album out and share stories of the pictures with your children. If your children are old enough encourage them to tell you the stories of the pictures. This will help them to remember everyone together as a family if your husband is out of town on extended stay.

When the children ask about Dad, and wonder why he works so much. I explain to them that he works so that we can have "Pretty things". my children are 3 and 4 so that answer works pretty well. When your children get older they will understand more, but It still will have an effect on them. There are plenty of ways to keep Dad up to date on things happening in the family, and give him a pat on the back, and a kiss on the cheek. Poor old Dad has to work out of town alone without his family.