https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-balance-out-your-time-with-work-and-family-if-you-pcs-without-your-family <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Just seeing how families work it out to their advantage if the service member PCS&#39;s alone. How often do you go and see your family? Say you are 2 or 3 hours away from them. Would you make the trek home every day, every other day, every weekend or something like that? Sun, 24 Jan 2016 00:28:10 -0500 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-balance-out-your-time-with-work-and-family-if-you-pcs-without-your-family <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Just seeing how families work it out to their advantage if the service member PCS&#39;s alone. How often do you go and see your family? Say you are 2 or 3 hours away from them. Would you make the trek home every day, every other day, every weekend or something like that? SFC Private RallyPoint Member Sun, 24 Jan 2016 00:28:10 -0500 2016-01-24T00:28:10-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-balance-out-your-time-with-work-and-family-if-you-pcs-without-your-family?n=1255208&urlhash=1255208 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>not living in Edmonton or Los Angeles....not if I have to fight traffic. I once drove 100 miles to work and back from Apple Valley to West Covina in a Civilian job. You risk your life if you are on the road 6 hours a day only to go straight to bed. LTC Private RallyPoint Member Sun, 24 Jan 2016 00:34:27 -0500 2016-01-24T00:34:27-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-balance-out-your-time-with-work-and-family-if-you-pcs-without-your-family?n=1255218&urlhash=1255218 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You have to balance your time - all of it - and come to a solution that works for all.<br />Going home 3 hours a day would require a pass every night.<br />You'd be exhausted in very short order. That's a lot of driving. Not to mention the safety issues.<br />If you get home at 2000 and have to leave at 0300, what good are you really doing your family?<br /><br />In the scenario you draw up in the question, I'd recommend a weekend plan with occasional scattered leave days in order to enjoy the time you have. That is a tough one, though.<br />Maybe look into having the family pay you a visit on post once in a while, too. For them, it'd be like a sleepover. 1SG Private RallyPoint Member Sun, 24 Jan 2016 00:55:03 -0500 2016-01-24T00:55:03-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-balance-out-your-time-with-work-and-family-if-you-pcs-without-your-family?n=1255232&urlhash=1255232 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I worked in Atlanta for a year while my wife worked in Louisville, KY. It was a new job and we needed to see if it was going to last before my wife quit her top level job to come down there to join me. I drove home every weekend. About seven hours each way. <br /><br />It took a toll on me as well as our marriage. I ended up finding another job in Louisville that was better than the job in Atlanta; the first Sunday that I didn't have to drive to Atlanta it felt as if an anvil had been taken off my chest. Capt Seid Waddell Sun, 24 Jan 2016 01:13:13 -0500 2016-01-24T01:13:13-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-balance-out-your-time-with-work-and-family-if-you-pcs-without-your-family?n=1255371&urlhash=1255371 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I used to have a 2 hour commute as a civilian (each way). The stress on family was palpable. At three hours (which it did hit at times) it was impossible.<br /><br />You miss meal times. You miss the majority of the evening. Most of the family is either in bed, or getting ready to go to bed. You are stressed from being on the road for several hours, and need to unwind before you can talk to anyone.<br /><br />This doesn't make it impossible, but it does make it "challenging" and every family is different.<br /><br />Then there are the financial costs that come with a commute like that, gas, wear &amp; tear on the car, your time, &amp; your SLEEP. Only so many hours in a day. If you give up 5-6 hours to driving, and are working 8 hours.... Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS Sun, 24 Jan 2016 07:29:33 -0500 2016-01-24T07:29:33-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-balance-out-your-time-with-work-and-family-if-you-pcs-without-your-family?n=1255858&urlhash=1255858 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I work at the steel mill! I work 2 weeks days and 2 weeks nights. The (4) days that I'm off I get a the time with my son. Balancing in school as well. SFC Private RallyPoint Member Sun, 24 Jan 2016 13:08:39 -0500 2016-01-24T13:08:39-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-balance-out-your-time-with-work-and-family-if-you-pcs-without-your-family?n=1256642&urlhash=1256642 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I focus on those things I feel would better my family as a whole. Fitness, habits, and school. Each of these brings more value to my family. CW2 Private RallyPoint Member Sun, 24 Jan 2016 21:39:57 -0500 2016-01-24T21:39:57-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-balance-out-your-time-with-work-and-family-if-you-pcs-without-your-family?n=1256784&urlhash=1256784 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have had similar situations in the past. I found that it was easier on everyone if I went home on my days off only. While home, I would make the most of my time with my family. Not the ideal situation, but you do what it takes to make it work. Hopefully, its only a temporary situation. SMSgt Thor Merich Sun, 24 Jan 2016 23:07:21 -0500 2016-01-24T23:07:21-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-balance-out-your-time-with-work-and-family-if-you-pcs-without-your-family?n=1256925&urlhash=1256925 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Oh young NCO, first of all WELCOME to the CORPS!!<br />You can take the advice from an old crusty Retired SFC from this Army life that I truly do miss!!<br />My advice to you and others may disagree, but I am an old school Infantry/Artillery kind of guy, a simple phone call daily if you can and letters diligently! If you can get a weekend pass or even your leave to go visit, go for it!!, go see your family ABSOLUTELY and remember that you have a duty that you have sworn to uphold, your family will be there when you can get to see them. Remember, Duty First!!!<br />Your family will be there for you irregardless, take care f your SOLDIERS and than you!! <br />Like I said, welcome to the CORPS of the Backbone of the US ARMY!!<br />(SFC) Wilkinson, US Army Retired SFC Trevor Wilkinson Mon, 25 Jan 2016 02:44:19 -0500 2016-01-25T02:44:19-05:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-do-you-balance-out-your-time-with-work-and-family-if-you-pcs-without-your-family?n=1258960&urlhash=1258960 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My husband and I were never stationed together....when I was Ft Knox and he was at Belvoir, we saw each other every other weekend. When I was at Bragg, and he at Belvoir, we saw each other every weekend. It sucked, but we made it work! CPT Private RallyPoint Member Tue, 26 Jan 2016 06:37:05 -0500 2016-01-26T06:37:05-05:00 2016-01-24T00:28:10-05:00