February 23, 2010

Vacation Frustrations

Hubby is on vacation this week.  Yay!  Right?  errrr....

No one else is.  Man-Child's in school and I'm at work.

This is a running "thing" (I won't call it an "argument" - it's more a of a sore point - that could possibly escalate into an "issue").

I realize that Hubby's job has it's "busy" seasons.  And that they usually the occur when normal people take their vacations.  I GET it.  BUT, other people at his company (and in his department) seem to be able to sneak in some time off during these "busy" seasons......

I don't resent Hubby his time off.  God knows he needs it and deserves it.  And we all know I have no problem taking my vacations.  And yeah, if he wants to take some of it by himself - doing absolutely nothing - cool.  We all need that once in a while.

What I do resent (and am beginning to resent more and more) is that Hubby never takes family vacations.

"Oh no!"  he insists that he took a week off in the summer with us.  Yeah - FIVE years ago!

I have informed him that Man-Child will be gone in about two years - off to college - not caring about spending any time with us.

His response?  "I spend plenty of time with him!"  And he does - those two are as thick as thieves! 

But it's a everyday, routine kind of time.  Not that special - this is vacation, let's have fun kind of time.

Yes, I generally take almost two weeks around Christmas - but guess what?  I'm usually spending it with Man-Child and doing prep stuff for the holiday.  I generally take a week in the spring - to take Man-Child somewhere for Spring Break.  Sometimes I take a day here or there or maybe a long weekend to go to Texas to visit family and friends.

But Hubby?  He takes a week in February - alone.  And does nothing. 

The rest of his vacation time?  I'm guessing is "thrown away" - because he certainly isn't using it (and I know for a fact that he gets way more than one week a year!).

I realize that he and I have very different ideas about what "vacation" is; I realize that he has an extreme dislike to flying (although - hello? they have drugs for that and I would ask for them if the situation were reversed....); I realize that he gets really uptight if we have to drive for any length of time (yes, all this pretty much means vacation can be, at the very least, a chore for him.)  BUT, ususally, once he gets to where we are going - it's all good.  So what is the problem?  Why doesn't he want to have vacation with his family? 

This is the kind of stuff that keeps me up at night.  I just don't get it.

It's not like we aren't "fun" people.  Man-Child and I  hilarious and always seem to have fun.

I. Just. Don't. Get. It.

What am I missing here?

12 comments:

  1. My guess would be... a husband? Just guessing.

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  2. Not nice. I have to agree with you. That wouldn't be much fun. I don't get it either. Time is so short, enjoy it together..that's my motto. Good luck.

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  3. That would really tick me off...I think he's got into a very bad habit and needs to break it. I'd insist on all going away together on the proviso that if he didn't enjoy it, he'd never have to go again. I'm guessing he'll have a fab time x

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  4. Yeah I do agree with you. Perhaps whilst he is off, he can prepare supper and clear up and the 3 of you can have some nice evening time where you get to relax when you get home from work. Get him to do some chores as well so that you get some benefit from his time off.

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  5. Oh and next time he says he has holiday booked, book some yourself for the same time without telling him!

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  6. Awww, that's a shame. I know a few husbands like that and it's sad because I bet there is so much you'd like to show him/share with him. I'm sure he knows your views on it? :0( xx

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  7. I'd be a bit perturbed too! You should *insist* on a family vacation this summer.. even if it's only for 3 or 4 days!

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  8. You are a hoot Gigi......and a North Carolina hoot at that. Fellow Tar Heel kindergarten teacher here!

    Go without him!

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  9. He'll be sorry once its too late.
    At least you will have the time spent with man-child.

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  10. Aw, honey. I DO believe it's a hell of a lot more common than you realize.

    I wonder if guys are generally more...loners? Why is it that they don't seem to appreciate spending time w/their families?

    I talk to my friends/fam about this kind of thing a LOT (I'm nosy...or...curious...yeah, that's it) and it's par for the course.

    They just don't appreciate us, dammit. Thing is, can you stop the cycle from repeating itself for the future Mrs. Man-child??

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  11. I can never understand husbands/men!! I think a weekend away would be good!!

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  12. I can see why this particular sore point is becoming an issue! That would annoy me too! Time spent together out of the normal routine is precious, especially as you know that MC will be gone in a couple of years. You're gonna have to work on him Gigi! x

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