Joel's idea of a relaxing holiday?
He loves camping. He's been on a few recent trips with Alexander (one a few months back with all of us, but Sam wasn't nearly ready, and then we got food poisoning. Nuff said). His idea of a good time is bushwalking, swinging off ropes, 4 Wheel driving, teaching the boys to fish, roasting marshmallows by a campfire. Getting as much of the outdoors as possible, then collapsing, exhausted into a tent at the end of the night.
The thought of doing this leaves me agitated and my stomach churns. I can feel the heat and the bugs and the sore back (from the stupid matresses). It's not a remotely relaxing thought at all.
Mine?
I want to sleep in, and make love to my husband. I want to go out for coffee and hide away in the library or a book store. I want to lay on a picnic rug and look at the clouds, I want some space, to write for the first time in months. I want to read a book and play gin rummy. I want a conversation that isn't interupted by a child. I want to reconnect with my husband. I want it so badly that I feel teary and resentful and guilty and desperate all at the same time.
So tell me. Do you and your partner have the same idea of a relaxing getaway? What do you do if your desires are so different. Who wins? How do you get around it?
Hmmm.. we both love camping - but I prefer to sit in a comfy chair reading a book while eating and he prefers to be more active. I prefer not too late a night and he loves going off the meet new people. I guess we just do some of both and sometimes I just sit and relax while he goes off to do something else like fishing!
ReplyDeleteHard one...I would look for a compromise I guess. One holiday camping (or even staying in a cabin so that you get the comfort you need, while the boys get the wilderness and getting dirty stuff they need?) and then another holiday without the kids in a resort or motel..etc. Is that a possibility Mel? that you can both get away for a weekend and just reconnect without the kids?
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so with you. Camping just seems like work work work. Luckily DH and I have similar holiday wants and needs, all except the bookshops, antique and gift shops, those he could do without!
ReplyDeleteI have never been a camping girl, my hubby did lots as a child and loved it. He took our kids a few times and I stayed home - bliss. Now we have similar views - relaxing somewhere - 5 star if possible - no phones, no TV, in either city or bush - but preferably bush for both of us. Maybe it is about compromise - you do it his way and then he does it yours. Hope you find some down time (just the 2 of you) soon. Hugs from Perth xxx
ReplyDeleteOur "Family" holidays comprise adventuring in the great outdoors. Our last trip camping, I was able to sit back and relax a great deal, glass of wine in one hand, book in the other, relaxing to the sounds of nature. It was very calm and relaxing. Its' getting much easier now that the children are getting older and have greater independence. I love nothing more than camping remote on the Murray River, just us, the forest, the kids and the beautiful landscaped river .. Or somewhere like the Otways, lush rain-forest on one side, the beautiful ocean on the other ... So much to explore and do ...
ReplyDeleteI also love "couples weekends" its' all about coffee, pampering, roaming bookstores, leisurely meals and relaxing sleep ins .. Rejuvenating together as a couple. Its' usually a city escape or a remote B&B somewhere with candles, spa, a bottle of bubble and the best scenic view one can get!
Its' just the time to find this balance ...
Although in saying this, while we were hoping to have a romantic 10th wedding anniversary to Thailand, we're now thinking of a great family adventure to Thailand, the 3 Little B's included! So wish us luck!
You & I and our husbands appear very, very similar indeed. We compromise by doing a little of both. Comfy camping with activites but plenty of time to rest and write and snuggle and chat. Loooooove to be on the veranda in the first photo of yours.
ReplyDeleteYou take it in turns! One weekend at a time.
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on this one!
ReplyDeleteFortunately my husband and I have fairly similar ideas of a relaxing getaway. However, he likes to go bushwalking, for days at a time. Also fortunately he goes with his mates and I'm not required to go! :)
I can't stand camping! Too much hard work, not enough payback (in my mind). Uncomfortable, dirty, blah.
ReplyDeleteThankfully my husband doesn't LOVE camping. He just likes it, so we hardly do it at all. Our idea of a perfect holiday these days is to rent a holiday house at a nice location, e.g. near a beach, forest, river, etc, and so we've got the outdoors experience but with the comforts of a house.
He goes out and spends the day exploring, I'm lying around reading a book and drinking wine.... :-)
Haha, yours hands down!
ReplyDelete