Merchant Navy wife : The Challenges
Being a merchant navy wife is not easy. It requires a lot of courage, patience, and resilience to cope with the challenges of living apart from your husband for long periods of time. While your husband is sailing across the oceans, you have to manage the household, take care of the children, deal with the loneliness, and face the uncertainties of his safety and well-being. Here are some of the common challenges faced by merchant navy wives and some tips on how to overcome them.
Loneliness and Isolation
One of the biggest challenges faced by a merchant navy wife is loneliness and isolation. When your husband is away, you may feel like you have no one to share your joys and sorrows with. You may also feel disconnected from the society and your friends, who may not understand your situation or support you. To overcome this challenge, you need to stay in touch with your husband as much as possible. Thanks to the technology, you can communicate with him through phone calls, emails, video calls, or social media. You can also join online communities or forums of other merchant navy wives, where you can find people who can relate to your feelings and offer you advice and encouragement.
You can also keep yourself busy and engaged by pursuing your hobbies, interests, or career. You can also volunteer for a social cause, join a club, or take a course that can enrich your life and make you feel more fulfilled. One such community (username: mrs.thatseafarer_offcl ) for seafarer’s wives is actively assisting wives overcome the obstacles is on Instagram. Feel free to contact them via Instagram for anything/everything that’s bothering you.
Household and Financial Management
Another challenge faced by a merchant navy wife is household and financial management. When your husband is away, you have to take care of all the responsibilities and chores of running the home, such as paying the bills, maintaining the budget, taking care of the children, cooking, cleaning, etc. You may also have to deal with unexpected expenses or emergencies that may arise in his absence. To overcome this challenge, you need to plan ahead and be organized.
You can create a monthly budget and stick to it, and keep track of your income and expenses. You can also save some money for emergencies or contingencies. You can also seek help from your family, friends, or neighbors, who can assist you with some tasks or lend you a hand in times of need. You can also involve your children in some chores, such as setting the table, folding the clothes, or watering the plants, and make them feel responsible and helpful.
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Emotional and Mental Stress
Another challenge faced by a merchant navy wife is emotional and mental stress. When your husband is away, you may experience a range of emotions, such as anxiety, fear, sadness, anger, or frustration. You may worry about his safety, health, or fidelity. You may also miss him terribly and feel depressed or lonely. You may also have to deal with the stress of raising the children alone, handling the household issues, or coping with the social pressure. To overcome this challenge, you need to take care of yourself and your mental health.
You can practice some relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises, that can calm your mind and body. You can also seek professional help from a counselor or therapist, who can help you cope with your emotions and provide you with guidance and support. You can also find some positive outlets for your emotions, such as writing, painting, or gardening, that can help you express yourself and release your stress.
Cultural and Gender Stereotypes
A Merchant navy wife may face cultural and gender stereotypes from the society and their families, who may not approve of their choice of marrying a seafarer or question their loyalty and morality. They may also face discrimination and harassment from some of the crew members or port authorities, who may not respect or accept women in the maritime industry.
Lack of Communication and Support
Merchant navy wives may suffer from lack of communication and support from their husbands, who may not be able to contact them regularly due to poor network or busy schedule. They may also feel isolated and lonely, as they may not have a strong social network or emotional support system to rely on. They may also face difficulties in accessing information or resources related to their husbands’ work or welfare.
Health and Safety Concerns
Merchant navy wives may have health and safety concerns for themselves and their husbands, who may be exposed to various risks and hazards at sea, such as piracy, accidents, illnesses, or injuries. They may also have to deal with their own health issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or physical ailments, without adequate medical care or assistance.
Conclusion
Being a merchant navy wife is a challenging but rewarding role. You have to face many difficulties and hardships, but you also have the opportunity to grow as a person and as a partner. You can overcome the challenges faced by a merchant navy wife by staying in touch with your husband, staying connected with your friends and family, staying busy and engaged, and staying positive and hopeful.
You can also appreciate the benefits of being a merchant navy wife, such as having a global perspective, having a strong bond with your husband, having a sense of pride and respect, and having a chance to travel and explore the world with him. By doing so, you can make your marriage stronger and happier, and enjoy the journey of being a merchant navy wife.
