In a recent study around Western Australian FIFO workers, children were found to get anxious when their dads were away.
The study found 43.1 per cent of kids felt nervous or anxious when the FIFO parent returns to work, 45.6 per cent worry about the FIFO parent’s safety at work.
Working away regularly can be tough for you as well as your family but sticking with a routine and staying in touch with regular communication will help alleviate some stress and anxiety, especially for your kids.
Top tips
- It is important to have open communication with your children about your work and where you will be so they can feel you are safe and will be back.
- Explain what you do at work, show them some pictures of your work site and where you are staying.
- Talking and sharing stories about your work allows your children to relate to your being away and can help avoid development of anxiety around ‘the unknown’.
- Before you leave, write a few short notes and put them around the house so your kids can find them while you’re gone. You can put them in their lunch bags or under their pillows.
- Telly your kids where you will be. Before you leave, get online and research your destination: show them where it is on a map; see how far it is from your home; find out what the weather is like there; pinpoint famous landmarks.
- Send them videos and messages while you’re away. You could set up a family Whatsapp group chat and share updates while you’re away.
To read more on this topic, download the FIFO e-book.
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