How difficult is it to re-engage with the family unit when you've been gone for an extended period of time (and I'll count even a couple weeks in here)?
When I was growing up, my father worked/traveled a lot. My mother was our lifeline. I cringe now to remember some of the hurtful things I said to this loving, but fairly absent man. "How would you know, Dad? You're never HERE ..." Stupid youth.I'm not sure if we did a good job of bringing him back into the fold.
I imagine that this must be tough on the person who's been away. Tough on the spousal relationship, the parental relationship, etc. I would imagine that it could be easy to grow apart or at the very least distant from each other. Is this true or typical in the military? And what's worse, distance from spouse or distance from kids?
Are there some helpful hints for re-engaging as both spouse and parent? What can the person at home do to keep the one away truly engaged? What are the feelings of the one away? Left out? Disappointed? Outsider in their own home?
And I'm even more curious to know if men, in particular, talk about this amongst themselves?
Thank you all,
:)