Saturday, 2 March 2019

What are your expectations for free time?


My wife and I got into a big fight today and have had several lately. I'll try to make it as to the point as possible.​We have 2 kids, 5 and 2. She is a stay at home mom. I work M-F 50 hours. I get to work around 5:30 and get home around 4.​Today I was out with our oldest (the more difficult of the 2) for about 4 hours from 11-3. She fell asleep in the car on the way home and I didn't need to start dinner until about 4. I asked my wife if I could go quickly install a head unit on the car that had arrived earlier in the week. I told her it would take about 30 minutes and I'd have plenty of time to get dinner going. My wife was with the 2 year old for that time, but she did have about a 2 hour nap while we were out.​I originally planned to do the install with some speakers on Sunday because they were going to be going to her mothers'. (This is a rare thing. They haven't all gone over there on a weekend in 6+ months). I have a big list of things to do while they're gone, so I figured I'd knock out the easy one (the head unit) while the 5 year old was napping. I thought it was reasonable because I'd been out with her and worn her out completely for most of the day up to that point. Anyways, my wife made a face and I immediately recognized that she didn't like the idea of me doing the install because that would leave her with the 2 year old during that time.​This led to an argument about "free time". She said she resented all of the free time that I have. This shocked me so I asked her what she meant, specifically, because i get home from work every day, shower, and hang out with the kids until the little one goes to bed. The 2 of us then hang out with the 5 year old until I fall asleep. Her response about my free time was: I get home and take a shower, go to the bathroom, and later on in the night I'll step away to brush my teeth. I told her those things didn't seem like free time and she then said that I had my commute. That is a 10-15 minute drive to and from work. That's it. She also mentioned my breaks at work. I'm a salaried manager in a very busy workplace and I literally just stuff my face on breaks so I have energy for the work day. That's it. No 30 minute breaks just relaxing in a break room.​My response was that I know both of us think the grass is greener on the other side and that I would kill for her free time. The 5 year old goes to pre-school 5 days a week and the 2 year old takes a 1-2 hour nap. Now that is legit free time. That is up to 2 hours at home to do anything she wants. I want that and I don't think my "free time" even compares.​I know my girls are hard work and I know she puts a lot of energy into keeping them alive and healthy, but I completely disagree with her view on our "free time". Anyways, any input? Am I way off base here? I haven't mentioned this, but I think most of her resentment has to do with her being a SAHM while I'm out working, which I understand. via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2H88p1H

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