FOR many Mandurah residents, FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) work is a way of life.
But one local couple seeking to ease the sometimes stressful situations FIFO families face are about to release a book for children.
My FIFO Daddy is the work of author Aimee O’Brien and her co-creator husband Rory, and it seeks to help children better understand their way of life.
“This project is important to us because we are a FIFO family,” Mrs O’Brien said.
“We’ve experienced the ups and downs of this kind of lifestyle.
“Our hope is to share our experience and for people to realise there’s a community of us and we’re not alone.”
Mrs O’Brien, who is expecting a baby in January and who cares for Sage, 6, and Mason, 3, while her husband is away said her book contained tips to help children feel less lonely.
“There’s not much like this out there for children,” she said.
“We thought it could be an asset to the FIFO community.”
Having moved to Meadow Springs from California two years ago, the O’Briens have first-hand experience in dealing with family separations.
“The whole family works hard in this field,” Mrs O’Brien said.
“The men or women who work away spend weeks and even months putting in 12-hour days while the parent at home has all the responsibilities of the house and children.
“Everyone misses everyone and the coming and going can be a hard adjustment on kids and parents.
“We hope this book brings us all together.”
Adding to the family flavour of My FIFO Daddy are illustrations created by Mrs O’Brien’s aunt, Kaethe Bealer.
And while the book is currently in the publishing stage, Mrs O’Brien expects it to be ready for sale in early 2015.
Ten per cent of the book’s profits will be donated to a FIFO suicide prevention organisation.
“We hope this book makes a difference,” Mrs O’Brien said.
“It’s nice to be able to talk about this kind of thing.”
For more information go to MyFifoDaddy.com
