I’m back from a mini-vacation with hubby in Palm Springs. It was no nice to be away – just the 2 of us. I really forgot how awesome he is.
Sad truth is that having 4 active kids, while very rewarding, really interferes with the chance to stay connected with hubby. At least for me anyway. If you don’t have this problem, I need to hear what you do so I can be you.
Having the free time, we played a lot of tennis, had real uninterrupted conversations, did some hiking (2 thumbs up for Elite Land Tours – we did the Fault Tour with Craig – he was outstanding! I would highly recommend this tour!), we did a bit of shopping and just plain ol’ lounging around by the pool with drink in hand.
Between hubby and my work, and the kids, we let our relationship fall to receive 0 attention. Our conversations had become superficial. It felt more like roommates as often we were like 2 passing ships.
Relationships need attention and care. I forgot that or maybe I took it for granted. Sure hubby and I are getting older, but why let our busy lives get in the way of why we decided to spend our lives together? Why place less importance on ourselves? It sounds like we were falling apart before our jaunt away, which is not accurate…but we did need to reconnect.
Taking the time to stay connected to your partner is so important…I don’t need to tell you this. It’s good for the kids to have parents that are happy together. That love one another, show affection occasionally, seem connected. Kids can sense how we feel. Plus, when you and your partner are both happy in the relationship, it makes it easier to face any obstacles that might come in the way.
I want my boys to see a mom who loves her spouse and seems happy with him. Not a mom who treats hubby badly because the kids are annoying her or practically ignores him. What does that teach the son?
I know love is never going to be perfect. I know my kids will have their hearts broken along the way. But, I want to be in a relationship that not only makes hubby and I happy, but that sets an example of how a woman should treat a man. How I want my boys to treated someday.
Remember that show back in the late 80’s, Married With Children? While it was an absolute hoot, I always hated how they made the father seem like such a goofball. Lots of shows depict the dad in the house of being an idiot (ie. in the more recent and very popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid books and movies). If this is the image kids see around them, then perhaps there’s even more need to demonstrate mutual respect and understanding in the home. Our children deserve as much.
Getting away is not always an option with costs, time or childcare (THANK YOU MOM AND DAD!) that might prevent such an opportunity. What have you done to keep the spark in your relationship?
