If one more person tells me how 'lucky' we are.....

I may very well lose my shit.  Yes, my husband and I both work.  Him in the mining industry in a FIFO situation and me locally in administration.  But it hasn't been luck, and the grass isn't always greener.  Yes, the mining industry is fantastic and pays well.  But none of it has been luck and we pay a bloody high price for it.

It's taken my man many years to obtain security in the industry and a stable job.  What shits me to tears is that people constantly say how lucky we are that he has a FIFO job in the mining industry.

Here's my rant.  He will be away for the next SEVEN Christmases in a row.  That's seven.  In a row.  Unless he manages to get annual leave at that time of the year, which is highly unlikely.  For the next 12 months, the only public holiday or family event he is home for is Australia Day next year, when he flies in that morning off night shift.  The last fortnight he worked 157 hours before coming home for a lengthy 7 day break.  The 'camps' the staff live at are at many times lonely, isolated compounds where they have little contact with family or friends outside of their work crew.  Many couples and families can't cope and relationships suffer, not to mention the astounding suicide rate among FIFO workers.

Yes, it is our choice.  The money is 'good', unless you break it down to an hourly rate....  But none of it was luck.  He didn't win the job in a lottery, he worked damned hard to get it and many of the guys on these crews work harder than most in unimaginably difficult conditions to keep their jobs on site.

Then there's my side.  During the time he's away, all home maintenance, grocery shopping, getting fuel, gardening.... every.. little.. thing.. is mine to take care of outside of the hours of my full time job.  Those little tasks you may share as a couple, all mine.  I generally attend functions alone, as he's usually away for special occasions.  I take my hat off to the mothers of young children who are doing it.

Again, this is our choice, we are doing this in hopes of securing a decent future for ourselves and our children.  Just please, please, think before you tell someone how lucky they are.  Luck is very different than a result of years of hard work and effort.