Hi There Lestyrox,
Oh Hun, First off nothing we say is going to make your situation at home change but knowing you are not alone and talking to others in similar situations might help you feel a bit better.

Does the area managers job entail more travelling or does he then employee people to do that? For the weekend trips to Sydney is there any chance you can tag along? at least then you would have time at night and it would be an "adventure" for the boys?

Do you think that DS1 is playing on your vulnerability while DH is away? are his tanties as bad while DH is home? I agree ignore the tantrums, He might also be missing his Dad so maybe you could start an activity book or something "For Daddy" DS1 could do drawings and stick in photo's and have something to show DH on his return and for the overnight trips DH could record some stories and DS1 could listen to them at bedtime? Just so that the "away time" is broken up a little, for the little ones a couple of days can seem like a lifetime...come to think of it for mummies too!!

How old is DS2? Is he only BF or on solids too? I agree with alittlegrubi, try expressing if a no go then it might just be comfort, maybe a little seperation anxiety, he might be frightened you will go too? Like I said before it's so hard for the little ones and your boys are not really at an age where they fully understand what is happening and how long time really is.?

I know that you said DH is sensitive and feels attacked So maybe you could talk to him about things that would make your job easier that he can do while he's away, like maybe calling the boys before bed, hiding little notes for you saying that he is proud of you and that he loves you, (I know you might think you will sound like an idiot asking him to do it but finding those notes makes it worthwhile!!)recording the stories on tape or video for the boys to watch. Have you got webcam? maybe you could "talk" to him while he's gone.

As you for you guys maybe setting aside Sunday for family day weather it be church in the morning and then a picnic or some other activity to do as a family and the sunday night could be "date night" just about you and DH,once the boys are in bed, watch a movie,have a bath, do whatever you guys do that is enjoyable for the just the two of you. You might not have qauntity time so make it qaulity!!

Have you thought about maybe joining a mothers group to get you out of the house and around other Mum's with littlies around the same age? Or is there something run by your church you could go to with the kids? Or do you have family or friends living close by? DS1 could have playdate/sleepover? just to give you a break?

I'm in a similar situation, My DH is in the Army and I'm on my own alot too. I feel like a single Mum on a regular basis too. last year DH was home every night for a total of 3 months. "if the army wanted them to have wives they would have issued them"!! Come Nov this year my DH is away for 9 months to Afghanistan. All of the things I have mentioned to you we do here at home, I know that it doesn't stop the lonliness but it does take up a little bit of time on the days he is not around.

Take each day at a time and remember that your not superwoman, there's only so much any of us can do at one time by ourselves, everything you wrote about the tears and feelings of nagging is all completely normal, We all do it, I would love to see DH's in our shoes they might be great with them while they are home but 24/7 another story...I'm sure of it!!

If it makes you feel any better my DH tore every ligament in his foot the year before last and I was stoked because it ment he needed an operation and was layed up for 6 weeks, but at least he was home!!! LOL!! Awful i know!

BIG HUGs to you, and good luck with the boys.