Life is a Juggling Act

Long time, my blog.  I need somewhere to talk about life: raising my family and growing up, so I am back!


This weekend Nick picked up 2 overtime shifts. This meant he worked 22 hours in 2 shifts and that he didn't have a weekend.

I found myself frustrated that we didnt share time together, that I was the only person awake with the baby. I was tired and wanted my husband's support. I wanted some alone time and it didn't happen. I felt frustrated that he chose work over his family.

But this goes both ways.

Nick was frustrated that I was annoyed he was working 2 overtime shifts. He will get paid for an entire extra week of work on those 2 days. The only money coming into this household comes from him working right now (that's what sharing EI does). He says it's a month of daycare paid for in one weekend of work. Its our groceries. Its Christmas dinner for the family and gifts for the family. It's important.

Both arguements are valid and important. It's not every weekend he works overtime and it's been a long time since he did a double overtime shift. I have asked him not to take double shifts for a while, that it is too hard on our family unit. He said ok. At this point, Illyana gets excited when he enters the room but doesn't wonder where he is when he's gone. Soon she will be used to the routine that she sees Daddy when we get up and before she goes to bed. When she is older we can explain that Daddy is at work (and Mommy will also be at work sometimes). But we both still miss him.

Life is a juggling act. Money is necessary for survival. Family is important for everything. As partners, we need to find a balance that works for us. I learned this weekend that him working 22 hours in his weekend doesnt work for me. But I also remembered that he didn't take the shifts because he didnt want to spend time with us. He knew that he was giving up his weekend, giving up time with Illyana and his wife.

This is life. It's beautiful, messy, and complicated. We make decisions in an instant and sometimes it's the wrong decision. We love, learn, change and grow. And hopefully next time we both make better choices. But at the end of the day, there is always love