Family Holiday

Well some of you may know, I went on holiday for six nights with S and all our children. It was something that was discussed greatly with everyone that it would affect before we made the decision. Right up until the moment we left I was nervous – it was a big step. The longest the six of us have ever spent together is a day. I have never slept over at S's house when he has his kids, so it was going to be completely new and different for all of us.

Lots could have gone wrong but it didn't. Everything went better than either of us could have expected, we didn't really do anything exciting we were all just more than happy having a wander together. The children behaved brilliantly (90% of the time), they all got on and played lovely together. Especially 3year old and 5 year old – they got on great and it was lovely to watch them together, playing and sharing.

Myself and S – well everything so far in our relationship has gone smoothly, we've never fought or argued yet. I've had a small strop at him but it lasted all of ten minutes. We knew this holiday was going to be a big test, being together 24 hours a day for 7 days. It's hard to spend that much time with anyone without them getting on your nerves. Especially for me, as I am easily annoyed by people in general. We never fell out, we never had a cross word – everything was perfect.

The thought of spending a week with four children was a daunting prospect – even more so because two of them are not my children. We were under no illusions that it was going to be easy but strangely it was. I found it easier the six of us than I do at times with just me and my two alone. It wasn't hard work and it didn't feel like an extra effort. Myself and S worked together brilliantly, we seem to make a very good team. Parenting in a similar way to, which meant the children knew exactly where they stood with us which in turn made it easier for everyone.  

In conclusion we have both said we would do it again!

Since returning on Friday I have spent Friday and Saturday evening with S as neither of us had our children. Tonight is the first night in 8 nights that I will be away from him and I hate it. I miss him even more than I thought I would. It's back to our Tuesday evenings and every other Friday. One night a week just doesn’t feel enough any more – but there is nothing I can do about that and it's probably going to be this way for a very very long time. I will just have to try and get used to it again.