Occupy yourself without him

Dear Annie: I am 23 years old and have been dating “Tom” for two years. He works in a demanding job that requires an extensive amount of travel. He’s away almost six months of the year.

When Tom isn’t travelling, he’s with me during the week, but spends most weekends going places with his fraternity friends or visiting his parents. This means for the six months he’s in town, I get perhaps one weekend.

We are saving for a house, and Tom’s constant recreational travel is cutting into our budget. I want our couple time back, as well as time to take care of things at home. I’ve suggested compromises (such as two weekends away and two weekends home), but things always come up that he “has to do.” Two months ago, I was let go from my job. That same afternoon, Tom left on a trip with friends that could have easily been cancelled. I can’t use those same weekends to visit my family because they are too far away, so I spend a lot of time sitting home alone.

I know nothing unsavoury is going on. Tom is a wonderful guy. I have no intention of leaving him.

I knew when we met that his job would require a lot of travel, but these personal weekends are difficult for me. I know he hates being inactive or staying home, but it seems excessive.

How can we come up with a workable solution?

Home Alone

Dear Home: Tom thinks he already has a workable solution and has no incentive to compromise. After all, he sees you all week. Right now, his schedule is a minor hardship for you, but if you marry and have children, it will be a major problem. You’ll have to revisit this issue then.

Meanwhile, we are never in favour of moping at home alone. Please find things to occupy yourself during the weekends when Tom is absent.

Look for part-time work. Take classes to bone up on your skills. Go biking. Accompany him when he visits his family, and get to know them better.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column.