When
you've got small children, and a fledgling or established business, the
relationship with your partner can easily fall down to third on the list of
priorities - or even lower! Not such a good thing if you want your relationship
to last the course. After a hard day's work and a sleep-deprived night, you
might think to yourself that you haven't got a scrap of energy left to do
anything for anyone else but I would recommend that you try, at least,
to
devote a little time and effort to making your partner feel loved. Obviously,
this is only fair if they're going to do the same for you (and if they're not,
why are you with them?)
I
don't mean anything grand and time-consuming: just small but meaningful things
like making them a cup of tea, giving them an unexpected hug and a kiss,
sitting down for five minutes to give them your uninterrupted attention. Try
doing silly things like leaving them a love note in their bag or under their
pillow, or send them a romantic or saucy text. Without sounding too clinical,
block out a time in your diary for a date night: if you don't have much cash or
childcare, just make it a night at home, but get a takeaway if you don't fancy
cooking, open a nice bottle of wine, have a 'no business chat' rule and make
time to listen to one another.
Try
not to do 'competitive tiredness'. By that I mean, try not to have these kinds
of conversations:
You:
I've done the nursery run, got up for the last two feeds and put two loads of
washing on.
Partner:
Well, you're not the one who's been out at work all day and with a bloody two
hour commute on top of that.
You:
I am trying to run a business at the same time, you know. I haven't had one
second of the day to myself.
Partner:
Well, I'm bringing the money in so I'm the one who should be putting my feet up
for half an hour before doing the kids' bath time.
You:
I'm leaving you, you selfish inconsiderate pig.
Playing
the 'I Have It Considerable Harder Than You' Game is only going to end one way
- in tears and recriminations. Accept that you both work hard and you both need
a break from time to time (of course, if you genuinely do work considerably
harder than your partner for no recognition, feel free to berate the
freeloading git as much as you want).
Resentment
can eat away at your relationship if you don't address it. People are not mind
readers - ask for what you want. Split the chores. You each get a lie in and
time to yourself. Remember that you loved this man or woman enough to have a
child with them (hopefully) so don't let that slip away - remind yourself of
the fact when things get hard.
Want
to know more about successfully combining both a home business and a family?
Want to know how to organise your life and gain more time for yourself? How to
Run a Business From Home When You Have Small Children will give you the
guidelines that you need to get the lifestyle you want.
By
Celina Lucas
0 comments:
Post a Comment