For the past month, my husband and I have been giving each other a little chunk of time to get away each week. For him, it’s the library and a place to study quietly or do homework. For me, it’s a local coffee shop for free internet so that I can focus and get work done either for school, a client, or this blog.
Ruben normally takes his time away during the week while I’ve been getting away on either a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and just recently I’ve started taking two afternoons a week to have “alone time.” The one day a week wasn’t enough with all of the extra stuff I have going on right now.
I enjoy my alone time because when I’m there, I’m focused. I know I only have a few hours in which to accomplish some major tasks without twenty disruptions, so, I really dig in and try to get as much done as I can before it’s time for me to return to my family.
It’s honestly hard to believe that we are actually doing this, and that we’ve kept at it for a whole month! But we know that in order for me, especially, to juggle family, school, and a business, I need to get away. I need some quiet a couple times a week to stop, think, and work. Otherwise, I may have a meltdown get overwhelmed.
And, so, giving each other some time alone each week works for us!
Do you take time to get away each week and spend a few hours alone?
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This is a great post. I always feel guilty leaving my husband and daughter when I really need to get away. (I stay at home with her all day.) I like to call this time my introvert recharge time.
On the weekends we’ve been having a really hard time figuring out who’s on duty when and how much time as a whole family we should spend. I really enjoy both family time and alone time. It helps me to focus, like you mentioned. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by Bitterroot Mama! The time away is like you said, a time to recharge. When I come home I feel much better. π
Sandra, do you also make time to spend “alone time” with Ruben? Unfortunately, my only “alone time” is my hour commute to work! I must admit that I would probably feel a little guilty spending alone time because I already feel like I don’t spend enough time with my kids. I leave for work at 7am and don’t get home till about 6pm. By the time we’re done with dinner it’s almost bedtime. I really wish I could stay home but I can’t afford to.
Hi Elizabeth, Ruben and I don’t get much alone time – not until the kids go to bed anyway. We are slowly trying to work on going out by ourselves without the kids, but we have limited babysitters. π And the kids won’t stay with just anyone.
I understand how you feel about not wanting to take time for yourself because you work right now. It’s SO hard to be a working mom! We are able to make it largely only on Ruben’s income (which isn’t a ton of money in the situation that we are in right now) because we live really simply. No cable, don’t eat out a lot, don’t spend a lot of money on clothes and other items, and I use coupons frequently.
I’ll be praying for you. π
I think it’s really important for you to get some alone time with your hubby at least once a year (anniversay). Ricardo and I get away once a year on our wedding anniversary and it truly recharges our marriage. When is your wedding anniversay? I will volunteer to babysit all of your kids. You should spend some alone time with your hubby before the new baby comes!