Any ideas that can help a 7 y/o out with dealing with not having both parents around at the same time?

Question

After over a year off of work, I'm working again (took some time off to concentrate on school). My boyfriend works a Mon-Fri job, and I'm working the weekends and a couple of afternoons a week. Often, when I do get to spend time w/ my 7 y/o it's only for a few hours. After getting home at 3 to 5 in the morning on weekends, I sleep until a couple of hours before I have to work again (working 10-14 hour shifts).

On afternoons when I'm home, his dad doesn't get home until 6. We just don't get to spend as much time together as a family, even though we've been trying to do more 'fun stuff' together when we are together (especially now that we have 2 incomes).

My son's been asking about me, and he's not too happy that I'm working again.

I need some ideas to let him know that I'm still there w/ him when I'm gone, and the same for his dad.

I want to turn a digital photo into a coloring page (anyone know how I can do that?), but does anyone have any other ideas?

Answer 1

The less of a deal you make of it the less it will bother him. Maybe you can leave him special little messages.  Buy some cute stationary.  Then the two of you can decide on your secret hiding place for the notes.  You should leave him notes there and ask him to write back.  He will  enjoy receiving them and will be excited about writing.

Answer 2

I worked for 12 years in day care and I hated to see all the time the parents missed spending with their children.  There is no one or any thing that takes the place of a loving parent. I don't know your situation but I hope you would reconsider maybe having a little more money verses time with your child.  The only thing I know to tell you is if you have to work find a suitable substitute for you someone who can take your place for the time you are gone.

Answer 3

My late husband and I both worked outside our home yet we always had time for our kids...why?  Because we MADE the time.  We slept a few hours less, or on the weekends we would invite the kids into our room in the mornings they'd watch television in mom and dad's bed while mom and dad snoozed. Also, the housework took a "back seat" to our spending time with our kids.  Housework is always going to be there...20 years from now you will still have housework, but will your kids still be in the home?