My husband and I have twin 5 year olds, and I have noticed that our marriage has gone downhill slowly since then. Quick background: I am a surgeon who did a fellowship in a very sub-specialized field. I save lives (literally) for a living and I love it so much. I spent so much time/money/energy going through medical school, residency, and fellowship that there was never any way that I was going to quit. I have so much respect for SAHM, but for me, my work is the most gratifying thing I do. Which comes to our issue: I love working more than I like being a mom. My husband is a teacher but has stayed at home the past few years and just now went back to work now that the twins are in school full time.The kids are awesome. They're probably as good as you can get for 5 year olds. The issue is that I just don't enjoy parenting. I love kids, I even watched my niece and nephew while they were 4 and 6 for two weeks while my sister and BIL were out of the country. I guess I never really bonded with them? I love them, but in the way I love my niece and nephew. I make sure to be enthusiastic and spend as much time with them as I can, but if I had a choice between working and spending time with them, I would choose work, and that's what makes me feel horrible about being a good mother.My husband is such an incredible father. If he could have it his way he would have a dozen kids. He loves everything about being a dad and loves spending time with them. He approached me and told me that he thinks I love work more than the kids, which while I don't "love" as in would do anything for my work as opposed to my children, I do like being at work better. We still have date night once/twice a week and I love being with my husband. But work fulfills me more than being a mom. I went and talked to my psych friend, and asked what she thought. She said as long as I was being a good parent, it didn't matter if I liked work more, as long as my kids never doubted that they were loved. My husband says that he didn't expect it to be like this, and he thought I would be more invested in the kids and not be at work as much as I am. We have lots of help with the kids, as they have a nanny and we have house staff that help with the running of the house, so he's not overwhelmed with that aspect of it.I guess to sum it up: I love my kids. I like them like I would like a friend's child/niece or nephew, but I never bonded with them like my husband has. And I'm okay with that as long as they never feel unloved or unwanted. And I don't think I can give up my greatest joy, which is being a surgeon in order to make my husband feel like I'm doing better at parenting. I was wondering if anyone had any advice? I know couples counseling would probably be an appropriate first step, but I just don't see a compromise.Edit** Forgot to add: I try and spend as much time with them as I can when I'm off (not meaning plop them in front of the TV and not interact with them). My days/nights off are devoted to being with my children. via /r/Parenting http://bit.ly/2CKkh7h
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