Turn the pages of any decent book about parenting and family life and you will soon discover some important advice: make some time for yourself.
It's not always easy. Without extended family on our doorstep and with babysitters coming at a price (even if it is as little as the price of a return sitting), it can be hard to get away from the daily routine of work and looking after the kids.
Nonetheless, we do manage to get out together from time to time and even to have a bit of time to ourselves individually.
Sunday morning was a case in point for me. Foregoing my lie-in, I went out to explore the Fallowfield Loop, a disused railway line now repaired to be enjoyed on foot, on horseback or on a bike.
Taking the latter option, I found a largely off-road route to reach the loop. Setting off before 9am, I was rewarded within minutes by the sun burning through what had been a chill misty morning. I was out for a couple of hours, exploring ways to link up with other trails I know.
Once home, I showered and got ready for another treat: going to the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. It turned out to be a 4-3 thriller with United winning in the dying seconds having three times thrown away the lead.
Returning from the game it was back to family life and the birthday party of one of Oliver's friends. But seeing my family again was all the more enjoyable for the little time to indulge my own pursuits.
It's a constant battle to make a little time - and a little money - to go out and do things that re-assert who we are a a couple and individually. Not much time is needed, but needed it still is. Time to please ourselves, be ourselves... Time enough to miss the kids a little and hopefully appreciate them a little more too.
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3 comments:
I find the mornings are the best opprotunity for me time, i've done most of my walking at 6am.
Unfortunatly it's too dark now. Boo.
That is a real tough one for us, and me especially. Maybe someday it will improve.
Good for you though.
Dan, Thanks to improvements in LED technology there are some amazing lights out there for those of us who want to keep walking/running/riding through the dark mornings. Though admittedly the pictures of the stunning scenery will be harder to come by.
James, I really sympathise with anyone struggling with this as we've been pretty much on our own from day one and it can be stressful at times. We've found even a couple of hours one evening a week is a help, as much for knowing it's there to look forward to and plan to do something!
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