Hiya
As the message suggests, we don't really have people we can call upon to look after the kids for significant lengths of time (ie a weekend away!). We have lovely friends ad neighbours who'll babysit now and then, but it's usually of an evening and understandably they have their own kids and families to deal with on weekends. (Fyi - my parents are abroad, my husband's mother has passed over and his dad is completely disinterested in family and grandkids etc).
Unlike many of my friends then, I don't have that amazing free babysitting service known as the grandparents. The really annoying part of all this is the fact that - again, unlike most of my friends - I have a sex drive as does my husband and we are simply desperate to get away for some decent time together - not to have to put the kids to bed, wake up at 6.30am to cries of "I want my Ready Brek!" - and to stay out late having fun times and drinks!!!!
Yes, there is the paid 'nanny' option - but it's just too expensive for us.
We also are committed and proactive parents and wouldn't want to leave our kids with just anybody.
The trouble is, we have 3 kids and they're all pretty young too - and although they're pretty well-behaved and good at night, it's still a big ask of anyone to mind them for a couple of days and nights.
It's just so frustrating though!! A good friend recently went away w/ her hubby for w'end (her mum had the kids) and reported back that she and hubby barely spoke and certainly didn't have sex (neither wanted to). Don't get me wrong, it's not all about the sex at all - but just time together as a couple - not being bloody parents just for a night or so.
Pls pls tell me we're not the only ones????
Rant over!