Juggling Family & lifestyle

Comments

• 

  lovebitten

  7 years ago

  You don't. I had no social life until my children were able to stay home alone. Family and work and study was the focus. I'm a single mum, children's father is dead, no family support. I learnt quickly that fun wasn't on the agenda for a while. I'm on the flip side of that now, and enjoying life. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's the cold hard truth. - Posted from rhpmobile

  reply

  like

• 

  RHP User

  7 years ago

  Firstly, I feel for you, must be really difficult for you. Do you get rostered days off at all or could you occasionally take a day of annual leave. Although there might still be issues, you'd need to meet potential play partners in advance and 100% trust they were going to show up, but perhaps a morning or day meet after the kids are dropped at school. Arrange for another parent to pick them up from school and collect them late in the day before dinner. There would be a long enough window in there for a comfortable 2-3 hour meet, giving you extra time around it to allow for emergencies or hiccups with the kids plans. Annual leave is precious, particularly when you have school holidays to think about etc so that might not be an option, but rostered days off would work when your partner is home

  reply

  like

• 

  RHP User

  7 years ago

  I agree in part those years aren't really about us, kids are a full time investment, but there are always options, not without third party help though re child minders. Op have you considered individual play? That way, one of you could always be available for the kids?

  reply

  like

• 

  EarthQueen

  7 years ago

  It was hard enough to get a date night organised when I was attached with young kids. Its still hard now single with older kids, especially when most people are in Sydney. Find a babysitter and look for people that are very local. The closer the better although that can create issues as well if they are too close. But it does make it easier and if you like them as it has more opportunity to be ongoing (if that's what you want). Hopefully anyone you meet will either have no kids or someone to take them overnight so you can go to their place. or plan a weekend away and go to a club if there's one close enough to you. Use your anniversary as an excuse, what you do is your business. My friends and I used to take each others kids overnight when they were little to give each other some couple time. You as the person at home might have to be the main organiser/communicator of it all if your hubby is away. Most people at your age are busy with families so it may take some time to work it out. Family comes first. If others don't understand that well probably not a good match anyway. Good Luck.

  reply

  like

• 

  Freaky_Fun

  7 years ago

  People lose interest when you can't drop everything to suit them or they message that day and ask if you're free. And my favourite the ones that seem to get pissed when you say you can't meet them out that night. Like seriously, I haven't sold my child on eBay yet I work full time and have my daughter full time, no family and my daughters father is useless as tits on a bull. It's getting a little easier (bit older than yours) as she has the odd sleepover at a school friends place. But to plan for my weekend away in Melbourne last weekend l had to plan ahead, like really really plan with precision lol. Same with the Brisbane Meet and Greet. I've now used up my childcare quota for the year 😫 Mrs E message me if you like l might be able to help you out with childcare every now and then. If you have Eiliethiya's number she has mine 😊

  reply

  like

• 

  RHP User

  7 years ago

  For the suggestions :) It is nice to know too that there are others out there that have faced the same problems :) Of course, our kids always come first, but the hope is once and a while to be able to do something for ourselves. Sadly I don't have a lot of opportunities for an RDO with work, I usually save up all my bank time for when the kids need something (a drs appointment, sent home from school, etc). Though I hope to have enough soon to take a day here or there :) We already decided to open up to solo play in the hopes to get around things, but that of course brings it's own hurdles. Anyway, just thought I would put it out there to see how others have worked around family :)

  reply

  like

• 

  MrPlayful

  7 years ago

  Yes we have similar problems though do manage to make time every now and then, mainly due to the grandparents being nearby. But we generally try not to because they do enough when I travel away, school holidays, the odd emergency. So we try not to abuse the privilege otherwise it may not be there when we really need it. For the suggestions to play separate when hubby is home, that will depend on circumstance, if he’s away a lot then you want to spend that time together. And again on the odd night with no kids, well that might just be usd as a chill out night, or sexy night in together. And then finding th right partner/s who will wait patiently for your availability. So between all those needs it does make things hard that’s for sure. But just remember, it’s gotta be hard to be good ;-)

  reply

  like

• 

  megz85g

  7 years ago

  In that our daughter stays with grandparents tues-thurs night due to work commitments, so we have a few nights a week free to play. But a lot of people are not keen on midweek, and it's hard to get a babysitter on a weekend when she has been away so much during the week. We do not play when she is home, just one rule we made to not leave the other home looking after kiddo. - Posted from rhpmobile

  reply

  like

• 

  RHP User

  7 years ago

  My hubby and I tag team in order to make it work but like Freaky Fun's comments, finding the right partner can be challenge with many not understanding that having younger children comes with the need to plan in advance. We do have a good reliable babysitter who we use on occasion as family aren't really helpful or close by.

  reply

  like

• 

  gazpacho

  7 years ago

  It’s a full time job, but in ten years time, you’ll be bursting at the seams for some action. Hugs G - Posted from rhpmobile

  reply

  like

• 

  bonefide

  7 years ago

  Mate that's fair dinkum offering a helping hand not much of a prize but we'll done.

  reply

  like