I haven’t been around much lately as Maritus took the last ten days off as a “Man Vacation” (Mancation? I wish I was more clever with words). He has been working long, hard hours at work for the last several months and he really needed and deserved this time off.
Maritus takes Man Vacation every year and it is designated man time for him. The plan is that he basically does what he wishes for this week; hunt, nap, sleep late, stay up late, workout as long and as hard as he wants, eats and drinks what he wants, et cetera. He does all of these things (plus helps with the kids so I could sleep in a couple of days and run out alone, too. How about that on his Mancation!?) and I do my best to take the kids so he has the house to himself a bit and to keep the house quieter during this time. What usually ends up happening is he spends the first couple of days unwinding and doing things alone and then for the rest of the week we all hangout together eating, drinking (eating some more) and spending a lot of time as a family having fun doing whatever we please. What started out as man time turns into family fun time lead by my husband (how do men learn to relate so well, in such a fantastically goofball way, to children? I suspect it is one of those innate things that comes from masculinity. I love it).
Last night, right before I went to bed, Maritus came out and told me that, because of this vacation and everything he did for himself and with us, he felt like a powerhouse. Like he could go back to work and crush it for as many hours that are necessary. After ten wonderful days, he goes back into the fray to once again do battle for us. I wasn’t able to give him as much time as I hoped for the last ten days, but he was still able to get some necessary man time. This has given him what he needed to go back into work to provide for us, his family, and for that I am eternally grateful.
***Ladies, I realize that some of you are probably wondering, what about me? When do I get woman time? A couple of things about that, he has asked me two or three times if I would like to take a week for myself and take a vacation without the kids. Frankly, I’m not interested as I don’t fancy being away from him for a week and as much as this was his vacation, it ended up being mine as well. A vacation for me is spending time with him (and the family, but he is my down time, if that makes sense. The kids are always calmer when he is around and that is all I need right now). Also, because he provides for us, I don’t work. Yes, I am with the kids everyday, but I get time during the day while they are playing outside, or while they’re at the pool (in summer) or while I’m at the gym to unwind and I can do something like this everyday. What I can’t do everyday is spend time with my husband or the five of us together. That is my vacation. Might the case be different for other women? Of course, but I urge you to consider what is not always easy to see; what you are being given on a daily basis already and what is being sacrificed so that you might have that. I know it wasn’t easy for me to see that for too long.
On the Rock 
“how do men learn to relate so well, in such a fantastically goofball way, to children?”
Because we are just big boys:). They like to play, we like to play.
if only more women shared your views and appreciation for your husband and family. i am also very lucky to have a wonderful husband and child. I am lucky that i only work part time and am able to spend alot of time with our daughter whilst he holds down a pressurised job. I also try to make sure his ‘mancation’ and evening time is stress free and filled with lots of fun and like you say, he is our ‘down time’ with time spent together being the most precious.
Wudang,
I am continuously amazed when watching my husband play with the kids. I wish it came more naturally to me as I am not nearly as good at it unless he starts it. God forbid I something ever happened and I had to raise them alone.
Char,
Welcome and thank you very much for your comment. I’ve seen more and more women commenting who seem kindred spirits and it brings me more hope.
We have this in common, Stingray. A week away from them? That would suck! We took a trip to the Caymans once, no kids. The evenings were fun dining and dancing but the days on the beach we ached to have the kids there playing in the sand.
I know exactly what you’re saying about the times you’re all together is vacation. Times like these make my heart swell.
“how do men learn to relate so well, in such a fantastically goofball way, to children? I suspect it is one of those innate things that comes from masculinity.”
wudang hit the nail on the head. i’m a 38 year-old boy. i have ninja skills when it comes to “kid-game”. lol. mom’s GUSH when i mess with their kids while doing x-rays. had a mom bring in her 13 yo daughter and i had the girls eating out my hand. and mom was all smiles.
i might have to post about this. but honestly, i’ve covered it many times on my site about men that are good with kids are usually good with women as well.
did you watch the latest video on site?
Sarah’s Daughter,
So glad to see you here. Welcome! I feel just as refreshed as my husband after this past week. It was so much fun.
Danny,
Not yet. Sometimes 40 minutes is too much in one sitting. I started it, but the kids came running and I didn’t want them to see that. I will try again tomorrow.
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“how do men learn to relate so well, in such a fantastically goofball way, to children?”
Same reason I’m in my 40s and two of my favorite movies are “This Is Spinal Tap” and “The Dark Knight.” Men never grow up.
D minor, it’s the saddest of all keys . . . .
Being male, its posts like these that give me hope for the future. This is why i’m unsure how worried I should be about our civilization;