As we meander through life, busy in our daily tasks of chores and work and kids, we tend to forget that at the end of the day after the dishes are done and the homework checked, the laundry folded and put away, we've forgotten something.
Forgotten someone.
Most of the time we've likely forgotten ourselves and we haven’t paid any attention to what our needs are. A cup of tea, reading a book or paper, watching our favorite show on tv; however we unwind and relax at the end of the day.
But that isn't the thing I'm talking about.
I'm talking about the person on the other side of the bed.
Now, not everyone reading here may have anyone on that side of the bed, but chances are someday you might. I think we tend to forget about our spouse or significant other more than we realize. To be fair, they forget about us too.
It's important to try to stay connected (and I'm not talking about blackberrys and blogs this time). Spending time together, alone away from kids when possible, is so vital to keeping a connection strong. Everyday gestures and thoughts are important. Making dinner together, talking about your day, relaxing and watching a movie together, these things can be significant too.
Hence why I’ve hired a sitter for Saturday night. So we can go be with other grown-ups at a REAL grown-up party.
We both tend to work after the kids go to bed. I'm at my desk on the computer with my earphones on and he's on the couch with his laptop watching tv. There's probably a call for us to do that a bit less but within the limits of the day, neither of us can accomplish everything that needs to be done. So our evenings are one of those 'in the same room but separate worlds' kinds of things.
We usually catch up at night once we turn out the lights. My husband would say I am his soundtrack to sleep. I talk when I am in bed waiting for dreams. There’s all this stuff up in my head that I have to get out before I can attempt to sleep. Anyone else like that? Generally, I’m not expecting him to comment with more than a grunt. That’s usually what I get. He may object to that but it’s my post, I can say what I want.
It took a long time to find a balance between work and life and all the rest. And I wouldn’t say we’ve gotten it down exactly more like we’re limping through it. It's always far more complicated than you think it's going to be.
How about you? Are you finding a work/life balance? What’s your secret to staying connected? I want to hear your thoughts! (and seriously, I need tips!)
Blogging Mama Andrea
