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Begin now to talk about what kinds of professional and personal
obligations you have individually and collectively between now
and the end of November. –
Are there weddings,
birthdays, other celebrations to attend or respond to? Are one
or both of you entering a predictably busy or stressful work
time? If school age children are in the picture obtain school
schedules and anticipate demands. Are there some home
maintenance issues/.projects to be accomplished?
Once the necessary parts of
life have been placed on a calendar for both of you to see,
consider what the two of you need to have your relationship
nurtured during this time. If you can anticipate a difficult
period ahead of time then you can plan to take care of
yourselves on either end. For example; if one of you will face 3
weeks of excessive overtime and lots of pressure you might call
it “the desert time” and make plans now to spend a special
weekend or evening together once it ends. Talk about how to keep
in touch during this time; maybe e-mail or phone messages to
minimize the feelings of isolation in the partner at home.
It is not too early to
begin to discuss the holidays; What is one experience that you
would each like to have this upcoming holiday season? What needs
to happen so that you feel that you celebrated as “a couple”?
Consider these questions
and tasks to be the prelude to beginning 2004 together; stronger
and happier.
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