re: How do you break it to your kids when you have to go away for work?

My dad took an office position for less money when I was born that way he could spend more time with us. He was working 7&7 before that.

I usually travel 8-12 days a month. One piece of advice, don't buy your kids presents when traveling. It creates expectations that they will receive presents every time you leave for work. Pretty soon, they will be sad that they didn't get anything instead of being happy to see you.

My dad traveled for work a lot when I was a kid. I don't remember really caring that much.

I think it sucks even more than typical situations because you're split with the kids' mother, so you may not have her on your side helping to reassure your kids that you'll be home soon, etc.

Will the kids be with your ex the entire time you're gone or will they have interaction with your folks sometimes? Is she willing to work with you to help set up some form of communication between you and them?

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harder on him than us

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Up to a certain age, I'd think thats probably correct, but I'm a firm believer in the balance needed from a 2 parent household....If someone is gone all the time, its hard on everyone.

I've thought a few times about whether I could even handle being away...I don't handle my kids being gone to their grandparents for a week all that well.

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ETA 3& 5 years old

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mine are 6 and 9. it's not common, but when i'm out of town and it turns into overnight, my wife always says facetime them and tell them now so she's not the bad guy breaking the news to them.

we facetime every night and morning i'm gone.

I have worked on the road in construction my whole life. My wife traveled with me and both of my kids were born on the road. We home schooled them until my oldest wanted to move back home and go to high school to focus on baseball. I still travel to this day, I am away for 6 weeks and home 1 week. My son is a Freshmen in college and my daughter is a junior in high school now. Not a single day has passed that I didn't speak to then, I call, text, facetime and skype. They know its just as hard on the both of us and I do it to provide the best for them. They spend all summer with me, I usually don't work the winter months and we travel during their thanksgiving and christmas holidays. They are very supportive and understanding. When they are both out of the house in a few years my wife will travel with me again. Just explain your situation to them so they understand, they love you more than life and they always will.

Reminded me of:

I give you a lot of shite here. But the fact is I have kids the same age and my heart breaks for you. You seem like a decent guy, short of your shitty poetry. I hope this all works out.