The Necessary Alone Time
I need space to decompress at the end of the day.
My days are very regimented. I prefer it that way — it controls the chaos of a house with two adults that work from home and three young children. My kids know when to do homework, when to start and stop screen time, and what day of the week is designated for a fierce Mario Kart battle, parents included (affectionately referred to as “Throwdown Thursday”).
For myself, the day includes making my bed before I’ve even had coffee, applying a carefully selected oil to my face that varies depending on whether it is a shower day or a dry shampoo day, and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc every evening while dinner is prepared — regardless if I am the one doing the preparing. Dinner is at the same time every night, followed by an early bedtime for the kids, and then I have the rest of the evening to myself.
For years, my husband — who goes to bed much later — comes into the bedroom and says a “last goodnight” to me before I go to sleep, usually around 8:00 pm. He then heads back to his office and computer, but we rarely skip that time together. We each say three things that we are thankful for that day, and then the conversation varies between serious, pragmatic, or sometimes simply recapping the day.
