4. For Dummies: Trip Planning & Marriage

Author: Jody

​I can’t imagine how busy you guys must be?!

This statement is by far the most common thing we have heard from people over the last few weeks.  And, yes, we have been busy, just like everyone is at Christmas.  So whose bright idea was it to leave at the end of December?! (Dave says the answer really isn’t that important at this point.) What is important is THIS is the most common question WE have been asking each other.
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The past few weeks went by in a blur.  Project managing your life isn’t fun.  All families do it to some extent - dividing up chores, tasks and activities to keep things running smoothly and getting people, big and small, to where they need to be when they need to be there.  But this was a different level of work all together.  We’re talking spreadsheets and PM skills.  Dave even started his sabbatical a week before the kids were off school to help get everything accomplished!  

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Still, we had our fair share of moments (marital and parental) that weren’t our finest, as we lacked sleep and patience.  Dave and I are both list makers.  We LOVE to make lists and take great satisfaction in crossing items off and seeing the progress we’ve made.  We quickly realized however, that it’s important to communicate to each other what each person is going to do.  Oops!  That was an important one.  

At the same time, it is also important to realize when communication isn’t needed.  May I suggest within the last 24 hours before you leave?  This is not the time to say anything.  Really, don’t bother.  It won’t go over well on either side.  

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In case you are wondering…

Yes - all 4 of us are on this trip. 

​Yes - Dave and I are still happily married (especially because we remain a good team although I fully admit Dave has done the majority of the work - thanks honey). 

Well now that this is behind us, Dave and I can look back and laugh (at the time, not so much).  ;)

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