What’s it Like to be a Police Wife? | Day in the Life of a Police Wife
I’m a police wife married to a metropolitan police officer in Los Angeles. Days may differ based on departments and shifts. I thought it would be best to describe what it is like being a police wife by taking you on a day in the police wife life.
I am also a working mom of two boys ages 5 and 7. Our boys attend a private school.
My police husband has worked many different shifts in our 10 years of marriage from day shift, swing shift, to nights. I share how our day differs based on the shift that he works below. Adjusting to shift work and police wife life can be tough. Check out my heelsandholster: a police wife devotional book to address common challenges be a joyful and prideful wife.
Police Wife Morning Routine
6:00am
A typical day in the life of a police wife most likely starts alone. Being alone is a reality that many police wives get used to over time. Not matter the shift my husband works, I often wake up alone. He’s either already working (day shift), sleeping (swing or night shift) or still working (night shift). When Rick is with us in the morning, I feel awkward because it’s been so rare in our marriage.
We have two children ages 5 and 7. Our boys have always been early risers. I would prepare for our morning routine the night before. Since our boys are two years apart, in the first couple years of my youngest’s life, he would have a bottle or nurse in the morning, so I would have water and fruit prepared in the fridge for our older son, Maverick.
My boys and I cuddle and watch tv for a bit and then I wash my face, brush my teeth and do my hair before making breakfast. This sounds like a lot but it takes me no more than 20 minutes. I wear contacts and put those on as well.
7:30/8am
My boys and I have breakfast
8:30am
If it’s a school day, my boys go to school and I go to work. I’m a professor and blessed with a teacher schedule so I can usually work around my boy’s school schedule. Keeping track of our family schedule on a white board calendar is just one tip I provide in this blog on managing shift work schedules.
Police Wife Afternoon
2:30pm
I drive from my work to pick up our boys from school.
3:00pm
I pick up both boys from the same private school where they are in kindergarten and 2nd grade. Typically one or day a week my police husband can pick up the boys from school. This differs based on this schedule, but I plan as if he cannot help so that we are covered. Thriving as a solo parent when you are a police wife is key. See tips on solo parenting here.
3:30pm
A few days a week we have Jiujitsu, skateboarding or cello lessons so we attend these after school activities. If Rick is off work, he will take the boys to activities, and I’ll stay at work later to catch up on things. On the days we don’t have activities after school, my boys like to play on the playground after school. When we get home, we read books and then they like to play video games and relax.
Police Wife Evening
5:00pm
I make us dinner. On weekdays, I try to make quick meals, such as tacos or chicken Alfredo. I love making extra so I can have leftover nights. Check out my blog on meal planning with a free recipe book.
6:00pm
After dinner I make everyone’s school and work lunches for the next day. Typically lunches usually include four of the following: sandwiches, chips, fruit, cookies, hummus, veggies, fruit strip, granola bars, apple sauce, yogurt, etc. I also clean the kitchen. We run the dishwasher at night, so I unload it and load it with the dishes from breakfast (which yes, I leave rinsed in the sink all day) and dinner. If Rick is home, he will have our boys start their baths. He supervises them upstairs.
If Rick isn’t home, after I’m done cleaning and making school/work lunches for the next day, I take our boys upstairs for their baths. Maverick is completely independent. Leonidas still needs some help. I will wash Leonidas’ hair, play with him a bit and sometimes let him relax and wash his body while I do a free workout on my tv in my bedroom. I’m close enough to hear him if he needs anything.
7:00pm
We begin the bedtime routine. We watch a show downstairs and relax. I will usually go take my shower at this time. If Rick is on day shift, he will usually come home around this time. He will have our boy brush teeth and get PJs on.
7:45pm
We go upstairs to our boys room to read a book, sing a song, and rub their backs for a bit.
8:00pm
If Rick is off work, this is Rick and my time to chill out. We typically Netflix and Chill. It’s lovely. Good night.
I truly hope seeing what it’s like being a police wife helped you to feel normal if you also experience some of the same things or are anticipating what’s to come. We do take on more than average wives, but I have found joy in my marriage and role as a police wife. Check out these other blogs that I think you’ll like: