In the last year and a half, my wife and I have been out twice together without our daughter. The first time was close to year ago where we went to the movies and then out dancing, but it was cut short due to a crying baby that the grandparents couldn't calm, and the second out to dinner for 'Hot wings.' That was about 2 months ago.
For Christmas, my sister-in-law gave us a voucher for a sushi restaurant plus a babysitter for a few hours so we could catch a movie too, and after much arranging, we managed to organise it for a Friday Date night.
Our daughter has a mild flu and hasn't slept much the last few nights leaving us all tired but, tonight she seems to be okay enough and will sleep through. It is after 5 am now and I have to be up soon as she will be waking up around seven-ish. Why am I still up? Our dog is sick and neither I or my wife have slept. So, unless there is some miracle, our narrow window for some together will close once again for who knows how long. As they say, never work with children or animals.
I don't complain about being a parent as we did plan to have a child and an animal is a responsibility we (well, he came with my wife, but I like him a lot) have chosen also. But, it is also quite hard at times as my wife and I rarely see each other except in passing as I work a lot and she studies a lot.
I don't think it is too difficult to get away for a few hours but, with everyone else potentially capable of babysitting having their own busy schedules also, syncing windows rarely happens. Maybe the miracle will happen and we will get to go together and have some sushi and watch a movie but even then, will I sleep through dinner, she sleep through the movie?
I figure this will be a couple of years like this until my wife finishes her studies and our daughter is old enough that more people can look after her but, for my wife, I know this is a difficult time in many ways. It is hard on me too but I have a slightly different attitude to her when it comes to looking at discomfort as I see it as something we go through, part of the journey of experience. She seems to feel it a lot more, like it will never end.
Well, it is what it is and I hope the dog feels better when the sun comes up, and I am still able to catch a little sleep somewhere. I think my wife chose a Julia Roberts movie anyway so, perhaps I will sleep the movie shift this time.
Taraz
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