Comments on: A Social Life? Can It Be Done? Really?

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:28:33 +0000

I love your ideas. And the main point being, just think about it once in a while!

By: Beckie

Beckie — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:42:47 +0000

I love the Standing Night Out Idea! We gotta do that! Thanks for the Idea!

By: Aimee Greeblemonkey

Aimee Greeblemonkey — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:07:40 +0000

I think that both Holly and Sarah have good points – that is important to remember that you are adults and not just parents – but also do it the way that works for you and not be pressured by other people.

By: JoAnn

JoAnn — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:38:45 +0000

We, too, work from a master calendar. I’m the keymaster and the gatekeeper, so it all works out. No, seriously, I love organizing information, and my husband would just as soon be told when to be where…so it works for us!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:01:09 +0000

I think as a parent, it’s important to analyze what *you* want, not what other people claim that you should want. When my first little one was born, I wanted to be with her. My husband and I reveled in being a family together. We were each amazed at watching the other become a parent. At the same time, we were bombarded by messages telling us we “needed” time out together, that we had to leave our tiny, helpless, breastfed baby (who would not take a bottle) with a sitter so that we could “reconnect.” It took some time, but we finally waded through the guilt trips and decided that we were okay with waiting for some us time. Once she was on solid foods and old enough to drink from a sippy cup (Remember, she would have nothing to do with a bottle. Ever.), we felt like it was a good time to go out. As we have added a second, and then a third child to our lives, as my husband’s work commitments have increased, we have felt more of a need for time out together. We have taken it. It’s been great.

My best advice is not to tell new parents that they “have to,” that they “need,” that they “must.” Give them permission to follow their own hearts. Remind them that they are in a short, intense, stressful season of their lives, and IT WILL PASS. There is beauty here, in the sleep-deprived, milk-soaked moments of the newborn stage, but you will miss it if you are stressing about what you SHOULD do. Listen to your heart, discover what you need, then make it happen. That is my best advice.

By: Holly Strebel

Holly Strebel — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:42:03 +0000

Before we had our kiddo, my husband and I agreed that being adults and having a life was ESSENTIAL to being a good parent. I think we had our first date when he was maybe three weeks old, we continue with our vacation plans and make sure when we say no it’s for good reason, not just because we’re parents.

By: Mama Bird

Mama Bird — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:08:06 +0000

Great post, Aimee. I am so in awe of all you do, and obviously have a lot to learn about balance, or I wouldn’t be up doing my Christmas cards at 3am right now!

The common denominator you’ve taught me with balancing your work, family and social life is your systems and making technology work for you. I love the calendar system you’ve worked out with Bryan and am definitely snagging it. Question marks and all.

I’m keeping hope alive that it will all get easier once we’re out of the terrible two’s!