Absence Makes The Toddler Grow Grouchier

We're on Day 5 of my husband's long (9-12 hour) days every day. That's right, no holiday weekend for us. He gets up and goes to work every morning at the same time, and on one day (Sunday) came home at the usual time. The rest of the time he's been working well into the evening. He has a big project at work and we knew this was coming, but there is no question that it is hard.

It is definitely hardest on S., though. In fact, for this post, let's just call her "Surly." Surly has a lot of complaints lately, but her biggest one is "Whhhheeerree'ssss Daaaadddddddddyyyyy!" Typing does not do justice to her plantive tone. I told my husband he really needed to make it back for bedtime, because I think his absence is part of what is upsetting her.

Surly spent today irate about going outside, irate about coming inside, irate about not wanting a snack, and irate about wanting a snack. I let her play watercolors; she painted herself and complained when I washed them off her face and arms. I let her have a bowl of spaghetti sauce for snack (in lieu of the requested "catsup") and she painted herself again and complained when I washed that off. She didn't like it when she found a duck from the tub in her play area and wanted me to immediately return it the tub.

I'm sure some of this is being 2 1/2, but it is definitely more than usual.

Nothing makes you appreciate a spouse like his absence.