FIFO Parenting is No Joke—Let’s Talk About It. With Vicky Pellowe from The FIFO Family Project

Parenting is already a full-time job, but when one parent is flying in and out for work, the challenges multiply. The FIFO (Fly-In, Fly-Out) lifestyle is often associated with financial stability and career opportunities, but what about the emotional and mental toll it takes on families?

In a recent episode of Thriving Parenting, I sat down with Vicky Pellowe, founder and CEO of The FIFO Family Project, to dive deep into the realities of FIFO parenting. A former FIFO worker herself, Vicky knows firsthand how complex this lifestyle can be—not just for the parent working away, but also for the partner at home and, most importantly, the children growing up in a FIFO household.

The Realities of FIFO Parenting

While FIFO work provides families with financial benefits, it also comes with unique emotional and logistical challenges. Long stretches of separation, solo parenting, and reintegration periods can take a toll on relationships and family dynamics.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that only the FIFO worker experiences isolation. In reality, the partner at home—often the primary caregiver—can feel just as isolated, if not more. Managing the household, raising children alone for extended periods, and lacking daily adult interaction can be overwhelming.

Meanwhile, children in FIFO families experience frequent transitions, which can be both confusing and emotionally challenging. They miss their FIFO parent when they’re away, but they also need time to adjust when they return. Some kids embrace the excitement of reunion, while others struggle with the sudden shift in routine.

Why Support Matters: The FIFO Family Project

Recognising the gap in support for FIFO families, Vicky launched The FIFO Family Project, an initiative designed to:

• Build community connections through local meetups for FIFO families

• Provide education and resources to help families navigate the FIFO lifestyle

• Offer support for mental wellbeing through practical strategies and expert insights

The goal? To create a judgment-free space where FIFO families can connect with others who truly understand their experiences—without having to explain rosters, long-distance parenting, or the constant cycle of adjusting and readjusting.

Top Challenges FIFO Families Face—And How to Tackle Them

1. The FIFO Worker: Missing Home, Managing Stress

Common struggles: Emotional disconnect, bonding concerns, workplace stress, lack of employer support.

Solutions: Employers should offer better parental leave policies and FIFO workers should focus on quality over quantity when it comes to bonding with their children during R&R periods.

2. The Partner at Home: Isolation and Overwhelm

Common struggles: Lack of adult interaction, financial dependence, difficulty finding professionals who understand FIFO life.

Solutions: Prioritise daily social connection, whether it’s chatting with a neighbor, joining a parent group, or attending a local FIFO Family Project meetup.

3. The Child: Understanding the FIFO Routine

Common struggles: Uncertainty around when the FIFO parent is coming and going, difficulty adjusting to change.

Solutions: Use visual aids like calendars or countdown blocks to help kids process time apart. Acknowledge their feelings and reassure them that missing a parent is normal.

The Importance of Open Conversations

One of the biggest takeaways from my conversation with Vicky is that FIFO success comes down to communication. Before having kids, couples often assume they’ll "figure it out," but having early, honest discussions about whether FIFO still aligns with family life is crucial.

Vicky encourages FIFO families to ask the right questions before problems arise, such as:

• Are we still comfortable with FIFO work now that we have children?

• What kind of support system do we need to make this work?

• How can we better prepare for the emotional ups and downs?

You’re Not Alone

FIFO parenting is no joke—it requires resilience, flexibility, and a whole lot of emotional strength. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. Resources like The FIFO Family Project are here to support you, connect you with others in the same boat, and help you create a FIFO lifestyle that works for your unique family.

And as Vicky beautifully summed up with her favorite quote from Maya Angelou:

"Do the best that you can with what you have available, and then when you know better, do better."

💛 To all the FIFO families out there—you’re doing an incredible job.