Having a discussion with hubby and we realised we’re not making much recreation time either as a couple of family. The sad thing is when we talked about it, I really don’t know what to do! I like reading, but that’s a solitary thing and I think if I’m honest what *I* crave is time alone.

So, in the spirit of honouring everyone’s needs, give me some inspiration - what do you do as a couple and as a family? I’ve really forgotten what life ‘pre kids’ is all about and I’ve got into a rut of work, reading and sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeep…...

Before kids it was all about sex

Before kids it was all about sex wink

  actually made me burst out laughing!!

I was thinking this the other day, got woken up early with loads of stuff to do and said to dh “what did we do with our weekends before the kids” and then said “oh yes that’s what we did!!!!”

Anyway….now, I volunteer at a pregnancy advice centre one evening a week, hubby runs boys brigade one evening, so that’s two nights gone…we have fri nights together playing a game (not that sort ) or watching a dvd.

Term-time dh is studying 3 nights so I get lots of alone time, might go for a run, do some sewing or more often potter on here

Oh and this time of year I go to the allotment one night too

It can still be about the sex That’s what sleepovers (at other people’s houses lol) and babysitters are for!  Oh and daytime!!

We like to be in each other’s company which is good because we spend every day together
But dh craves time alone, he gets this at night as he has wierd insomnia and always has had, he finds it practically impossible to fall asleep before about 3 or 4am but will rarely wake on his own.
I think time alone is important as a family but there is plenty you can do together.

As a family, two adults, 4 year old and 2 year old we like playing games.  We have a few board games, pop up pirate and that sort of thing, Buckaroo is still fun as an adult on occasion (to be fair dh’s MS makes it ‘interesting’).  In the evening downfall, scrabble, etc.

What about garden games? Quoits, jenga, skittle or boules (is that how it’s spelled?)  all fun and you could get a bbq on while having a go

What about sharing a book and snuggling up and reading to each other?  Dh read to me as we were driving to Wales and I loved it, definately do that again.

I like playing the xbox 360 kinect games, even Alice has started to enjoy them. Saule hasn’t got a clue and he gets really excited and runs around.
I like making things mainly crocheting and sewing and dh loves painting and playing on the xbox so we spend time doing our own thing to.
We both love films and stand up comedy dvds which are good to share with and without the pixies.  Do popcorn, re-arrange the furniture and get the fire on (and try not to fall asleep )

Book a date night and pick something out of the hat, cinema, living room picnic (for adults of course), read to each other - short stories or poems maybe, rediscovering a record collection or music you used to listen to, I am sure you could think of some more

I think it is important to make the effort to spend time together and alone and also learning and discovering. Enjoy
sarie

Games here too - dd1’s current favourites are Cluedo and Monopoly. We like watching films together too, it’s nice having evenings with dd1 now that she’s a bit older! Dh and I watch a lot of comedy and general just have our separate stress in a shared space for a while. I love it when we do have more time - school holidays (because dh is a teacher) always feel really relaxed and we tend to go out more, do music together or just stay up later and get up later if the tinies allow!

Claire xx

On the rare occassion that my dh is at home we either talk or watch a DVD in the evening.  In terms of family stuff we tend to go walking or canoeing either as a family or with other families, again this had not happened much recently as dh had been away loads recently.  As we are home educating and dh is self employed out family time can be any day of the week rather than at weekends.

Oh, I’m glad you mentioned reading aloud, Sarie—we do that too but I’m never sure if other people will find it ridiculous .  To be honest we don’t have a lot of spare time at the moment, but reading aloud is something you can do for as little or as much time as you have.  Or quick videos rather than an entire movie—we like to watch old episodes of Fry & Laurie on YouTube .