As we enter the children phase of our lives it seems that it gets harder and harder to visit with friends. A few years ago was a rough year (well it seems really easy in comparison to this one, but it was terrible that year). I was working full time with a baby at home and Hubby was frequently gone out of town for work. I taught Kindergarten so I desperately needed some adult time, but it was getting harder and harder to find time for friends without the kids. For those of you out there who can’t afford a babysitter and have no family close by, you can relate.
Around this time my closest friend and I had hit a point in our lives that there was no common time to get together without bringing the kids. It had been months since we’d had time to visit like that. Eventually we found a night when my Hubby was in town and decided to get together after the kids went to bed. Where to go on a cold night? Very few places were open after 9 in our little town so naturally we chose to go shopping at Walmart. While not the most spectacular girls night, it turned out to be a great solution. The shopping had to be done regardless, and I desperately needed the visit. Sometimes you have to get creative in order to get the things you want or need.
A few times after that we were able to get together-again after the kids went to bed- by trading houses. Her husband would come to my house and I would go to her house. That way the guys could visit (a.k.a. smoke a cigar-yuck), the ladies could visit (and eat chocolate), both while the kiddos slept. Again, a creative way to get something done without cutting into anyone’s time with their kids.
We often try to multitask our chores, but maybe combine a chore with pleasure. Hubby and I frequently do the dishes or cook together. It’s a great way to visit while getting things done off my crazy list that stresses me out more than it should. Maybe you can come up with some other ways to work in some girl time into your busy schedule. Remember, it’s important too!
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