Do you ever just want a break from your family?

[Magical2017]

During COVID it was a bit much for awhile. The entire family started out working from home in our living room for a bit when we thought it was temporary. Even our dog would find another room to go to because we were all just...there. All. The. Time.

 

[fly girl]

During COVID it was a bit much for awhile. The entire family started out working from home in our living room for a bit when we thought it was temporary. Even our dog would find another room to go to because we were all just...there. All. The. Time.

If the dog goes to another room you know it's overload.

 

[focusondisney]

From my in-laws, yes, everyday. We all live within 10 minutes of each other and they are a pain. Constantly it’s “I need this, I need that, can you do this”. It never stops and my husband is too much of a nice guy to say anything. They are so annoying!

Are you Deborah Barone?

 

[tvguy]

I just flipped past CNN and they were doing a segment on the "Loneliness Epidemic" in the U.S. I literally LOLed and thought of this thread.

 

[tvguy]

During COVID it was a bit much for awhile. The entire family started out working from home in our living room for a bit when we thought it was temporary. Even our dog would find another room to go to because we were all just...there. All. The. Time.

That is interesting. My company added a counseling service during the pandemic because apparently many employees were struggling with being forced to work from home, alone. They missed the social aspect of working in the office. Several were quite vocal about it, and it started a chain of "support" e-mails and Social Media posts.
I know my wife wishes she did not have to go into the office during the pandemic. My daughter got to work from home 2 days a week, and hated that she had to go into the office 3 days a week. But with both of them I think it was more about the risk of covid exposure.

 

[OHmomof2]

OMG, yes! 2022 and these past few months have been bonkers at our house!

 

[ronandannette]

Yes. I am an introvert who, by necessity, functions like an extrovert. I do this willingly, to meet the needs of my family, friends and job responsibilities. It is extremely difficult and over the years I've conditioned myself to forego sleep (get up very early and stay up very late, while the rest of the household is in bed) in order to have a few hours each day where nobody expects anything of me. On it's own, it's not enough and I've gotten to dark places where I'm so drained I fantasize about driving off forever to who-knows-where without even saying goodbye. This is NOT something I'd ever actually do, but it is a shrill alarm that can't be ignored. I've learned to take a few days away (or just as good, send my DH away for the weekend) at least once a year, or more often if necessary.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I am one who gains strength from family. I am just off the phone with a dear cousin after 2 hours It seemed like a few minutes. Too much to discuss for a short conversation.

 

[Magical2017]

That is interesting. My company added a counseling service during the pandemic because apparently many employees were struggling with being forced to work from home, alone. They missed the social aspect of working in the office. Several were quite vocal about it, and it started a chain of "support" e-mails and Social Media posts.
I know my wife wishes she did not have to go into the office during the pandemic. My daughter got to work from home 2 days a week, and hated that she had to go into the office 3 days a week. But with both of them I think it was more about the risk of covid exposure.

Well, when I say the entire family "worked from home" I mean that DH and I worked from home. I was teaching online, which I hated, and he did his work with headphones on. We had our kids home and at the time one was in elementary and one was in middle when the pandemic first started. We quickly realized it was distracting for four people to work at the dining room table and found our work spaces. The dining room table is for board games and meals.

 

[Moliphino]

That is interesting. My company added a counseling service during the pandemic because apparently many employees were struggling with being forced to work from home, alone. They missed the social aspect of working in the office. Several were quite vocal about it, and it started a chain of "support" e-mails and Social Media posts.
I know my wife wishes she did not have to go into the office during the pandemic. My daughter got to work from home 2 days a week, and hated that she had to go into the office 3 days a week. But with both of them I think it was more about the risk of covid exposure.

My job went to full WFH for the first few months of the pandemic and I LOVED IT. I'm an introvert and it was lovely to not be around people all day.
At the time, I had just bought my first house, but was still living at my parents' house to help them out (mom had just had rotator cuff surgery and dad had just had a major heart attack). After a while I started going to my house during the day to work, entirely by myself. It was so peaceful. I could play background music and watch the deer in the backyard.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I really love my family but sometimes I just want to get away from them. I don't just mean shopping and lunch with a friend or a night out, I mean I want serious time away--like a week.

Please tell me that others sometimes feel this way!

It's perfectly normal! One of the main purposes of a vacation is a break from responsibilities, and that includes family ones.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

Are you Deborah Barone?

I wish! Unfortunately none of it is funny.

 

[focusondisney]

I wish! Unfortunately none of it is funny.

Sorry, didn’t mean to make light of your situation either.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I get my breaks every now and then when my husband goes out of town for work..I just like to joke I get the bed to myself and can watch all the silly shows and movies late into the evening

As far as an actual vacation neither my husband nor I are ones for solo trips personally but I know my husband has gone off exploring when he's off for work trip and given the same opportunity I'd probably do that as well to an extent.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

Sorry, didn’t mean to make light of your situation either.

No need to apologize. None of my in-laws even have a sense of humor. They’re all so serious and only think of themselves. My 71 year old SIL has 3 grown sons, but refuses to ask them to help her. She doesn’t want to bother them but has no problem calling here all the time, and if you don’t get over there right away, she just keeps on calling. I’ve gotten to the point where I don’t answer the phone anymore when she calls and my husband’s not around. My husband’s much nicer than me. His brother is even worse. It’s pretty much a daily thing with him cause his wife keeps him constantly busy with chores so he’s always calling to ask for help. Meanwhile, nothing gets done around our house which is really what irks me the most. For Mother’s Day my husband asked me what I wanted and I told him I’d like for him to whack the weeds since they were over a foot tall everywhere

 

[disneyseniors]

I hear you. My husband is actually going on a Scuba trip to Bonaire next month for a week. I don’t dive plus it cost enough for just him to go so I’m staying home. I am so looking forward to not cooking for a week! Being able to watch whatever I want on tv. He’s been retired for a year now so he’s always around and he drives me nuts sometimes.

I know what you mean! My husband retired 2 years ago and the adjustment was difficult for me! I had the house and routines all figured out for 25 years before he retired. I was used to doing what I wanted when I wanted. I know that sounds selfish, but it really was a big adjustment for ME.
Now we are both used to being together 24/7. He does his own thing in his workshop and has an Etsy shop which keeps him busy. I have my quilting and crocheting to keep me busy. We have adjusted to everything. I had to remember that it was a big adjustment for HIM too
We don't watch the same TV programs, so I have a laptop to use if he's watching the TV, and viceversa.
It's all about respect and adjustment. It is Not easy though, at least for me. I still love it when he goes to my daughters and they work on their Etsy shop woodworking for an afternoon. It works out and I love having him around.

 

[lovesmurfs]

My favorite memory of this is from when my kids were young. DH was at his 2 weeks for National Guard and both kids were at separate summer camps.

I took 4 days and went camping BY MYSELF. I did what I wanted, when I wanted. Ate what I wanted, when I wanted. It was the week Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out, and I read it in the middle of a thunderstorm with a lantern through the night. It was the best.

While I've traveled for work a lot since, I've never had that sense of absolute freedom again.

 

[disneychick0412]

I love my time to myself to watch the shows I want to watch that my husband is not interested in and I LOVE quiet time to myself to read. Too much activity/talking sometimes causes my anxiety to rear its ugly head and I feel overstimulated I guess is the best way to describe it. So when people answer this with "No" I picture never getting to do those things that I like to do.

 

[mumto3girls]

My husband travels a fair amount for work. It used to be more frequent and longer trips, but he still goes at least every few months. That was sometimes tough when I was home with little ones but they are mostly grown now and I love that time. He’s gone this week and I am enjoying watching TV in bed late at night and having dinner be less of a big production (he and the kids are picky so one less person to try to please). The kids need less of me all the time and are busy with their own lives so I get a fair amount of time to myself. It was one of the most difficult parts of parenting for me though—little alone time and way too much superficial social interaction. Way too much.

 

[cvjw]

Nope. My kids are young adults and I don’t get to see them enough. I would give anything to get to travel with them like we did when they were young and at home. Now, it is so hard to find time to get us all together. Almost impossible to travel together with everyone’s work schedule. Enjoy your kids while you can!