My family did this every summer for years when I was growing up.

It was pretty idyllic for the kids, I have to say.

Now that I'm a mother though I wonder how my mom stood it (3 kids). It puts a heckuva parenting burden on one parent.

Anonymous wrote:Sure, but it's kind of obvious that Dad is having an affair.

Yes. That's how I get to spend time with my OM.

My parents did this for many years. Dad would come up Thursday eveningg and go back Monday mornings, then take off 2-3 weeks in August and be with us full time.

Then again, my mother always had a mother's helper staying with us. ALso, my parents fought a lot. So there's that.

Anonymous wrote:DH here. No way. The best part of my day is coming home. Two or 3 weeks would be OK. Anymore and I would really miss my boys and wife.

I love you. Your wife and kids are lucky!

For one summer, i would enjoy this as the DW or the DH.

My dh leaves Monday am and comes back Thursday night and teleworks on Friday. Plus we take 3 weeks vacation during summer.

My dh leaves Monday am and comes back third night and teleworks on Friday. Plus we take 3 weeks vacation during summer.

Sounds great.
For the last three years, we've spent 2 months of summer apart. I take DC to my home country for a month, and as it happens, DH has had business travel for the second month. Then in August we converge, spend time as a family, go to the pool and on hiking trips... Awesome.

DH here. No way. The best part of my day is coming home. Two or 3 weeks would be OK. Anymore and I would really miss my boys and wife.

Anonymous wrote:We're considering doing this for the summer.
Wife and 3 school aged kids live at the beach. Dad is 3 hours away in DC and visits each weekend with occasional 3 day weekends and about 2 solid weeks.
Summer is 9 weeks long max so a max of 7 weeks apart.

We do. We now live in the suburbs of NY. In the summers we live in the city (I know, sounds backwards) and DH just comes in for weekends). It's fine.

Anonymous wrote:If I were the dad, yes. The mom? No way. 24/7 care of three kids? Ha ha ha.

This. As the mom, no way would I agree to that. I appreciate my husbands help. My husband would agree for us to go. He'd love the break. Now, if he went with the kids and I stayed home, I am all for that.

Absolutely! In fact, we are saving for a beach house so that we can do this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up near cape cod and it was a pretty regular occurrence.

We go to the Cape and tons of people do this. I even know a gay couple that does this - one dad spends the summer with the kids, the other comes up from DC from Thursday afternoon-Monday am. Some people also telecommute and spend extended time there.

It's very common in New England. As you said, there's a good deal of telecommuting that happens too, and in some cases one spouse is a teacher or academic and has extended time off in the summer.

Anonymous wrote:No. We don't accept involuntary separations. My DH's job requires travel, but we don't choose to be away from each other. We've been married 28 years.

I think you mean you don't accept voluntary separations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like a summer dream. As the wife, not having to work and living at the beach for a summer.

Heavennnnnn

Umm, except 24-7 care for three children.

So? Many moms do that plus work. Or work from home while watching the children.

Not having to worry about money or working AND getting to live at the beach is pure heaven and a total luxury.

Exactly. I work FT and have 3 kids on my own. If you take away the need for me to work and send us to the beach for the summer, I'd swear I had died and gone to heaven.