This half-term, Florence’s parents asked if they could come over and help us with Alex. Of course, we said yes. They stayed for ten days. It was a bit crowded in our tiny flat but, believe me, it was totally worth it.
With them around, we could suddenly do so much more as a couple. It felt like we got our time back. We went to London for a day, then a quick overnight stay in Cambridge, and even ended the weekend at a spa. We kept our weekday evenings for ourselves – seeing friends, watching movies. It was such a blessing.
This past Saturday was just for us again. It was the perfect opportunity to rediscover this beautiful area we now call home: The Cotswolds. We had a three-hour walk around Bourton-on-the-Water and The Slaughters, combining the Windrush Way and Wardens Way footpaths. It was such a perfect mix: nice little villages, rolling hills, forests, random cottages, and an amazing sunset to finish. I think we discovered one of the most beautiful trails in the Cotswolds.
This brings me back to the idea of pausing parenting.
I think it’s great to spend most of your spare time with your children, but not all of it. Yes, we love Alex, but sometimes it’s good to go away for a bit. You come back, and you love him more, and better. Missing someone, short-term, is not a bad thing. Time together is much more appreciated after being away for a while.
On the other hand, I think a couple must be in a good place with each other – physically, but also mentally. Calm, stable, and strong. We need this connection in order to pass a quality upbringing to the little ones. Most of the time, they learn from the examples their parents set, day after day.
So, if the parents are okay with each other, they’ll be good examples for their children. But it’s not easy to be that perfect example when you’re stuck in the day-to-day grind. That’s why I think it’s essential to press ‘pause’ on the parenting button from time to time. It’s a chance to reset as an individual, regroup with your partner, and reconnect as a couple. Then, you can hit ‘play’ again. And so on, over and over.
Add a Comment