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I'm conducting a research about having family time and I need your honest answers and the reason for your answer. In return, I will feature your blogs in my post as participants.

Question: When taking your kids to places in the weekend (zoo, children's museum, etc), do you prefer to have your hubby or not?

I have to be honest, I prefer to go out just with my son. I understand the need to have family time together, which in this case including hubby. However, when my son and I go out just the two of us, it was more relaxing to me. Mainly because I'm the only decision maker. I decide where to go, where to eat, when to leave, whereas having my hubby to come along means we have to discuss. And sometimes discussion can be very exhausting. I thought I was the only one who felt this way until I chatted with my co-workers and they all felt the same way. Therefore, my answer to this question would be: as much as I hate to admit it, I don't like to include my hubby on family outing, simply because I like to be the decision maker.

I would appreciate if you can participate. Thanks so much!

Tags: discussion, family, outing

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Powell on June 3, 2010 at 12:04am

There are times when I like to go out just me and one of the girls, to have some good one-on-one time with each of them. If I take both girls out, however, I like to have the hubby with me. I tried taking on both of them at the same time, and it was just so exhausting. Having one taking care of the baby and the other one chase down the toddler is the best solution for us. Hubby and I usually don't have any disagreements, or if we disagree, we find common ground without any issues. So yes, I prefer having the hubby with me for weekend outings, just to be able to enjoy myself as well, and don't get totally stressed out.

Glad to be able to help :-)

Cheers, Stephanie

Life, Unexpectedly

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Permalink Reply by Alena Chandler on June 3, 2010 at 11:04am

I prefer to go with my husband. Only because he can help more and it's not just me pushing the stroller, carrying the bag, driving & trying to calm the child. I think that having one on one time is important, but I think it's almost more important to show children what a family is about. How to compromise on decisions & making memories of a family.

Alena
Charmingly Chandler

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Permalink Reply by Melissa on June 3, 2010 at 3:02pm

I actually prefer to go with my husband. I love doing outings the three of us, only because we don't get to often because my husband works so much. I want him to grow up remembering doing stuff together as a family!

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Permalink Reply by Liz Garland on June 3, 2010 at 7:36pm

I prefer my husband comes along! I think its important to spend time as a family unit all together. Sure, it may make things less smooth and more complicated at times but it strenghens the family unit to be able to learn to deal with such things in a constructive manner...I have 3 kids (8,4 and 18 months) so its important to me to model such behaviours as effective communication, problem solving and being able to get along with each other!
Plus, more often than not, we have a great time together as a family!

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Permalink Reply by BuenoBabyGirl on June 3, 2010 at 10:21pm

We have three kids so yeah I like having another adult, preferably my husband, along with me. Plus my husband and I like to spend all our time together. We're weird like that. Gross, huh?

BuenoBaby

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Permalink Reply by Aysha Iqbal on June 4, 2010 at 1:00pm

It honestly depends on where we are going... Couple of factors involved here...

1. family outings are important..so occasionally I am happy when my hubby comes along. It is great as he gets to spend time with daddy too.. BUT the key factor is that everyone should be happy being there...If the place is going to bore my hubby but my kid would love it, then i would rather take my son there alone.

2. Also like you said, Marla, the decision making... I guess if I sense too many arguements coming up in the name of decisions..minute ones...then I am better off on my own with the kid..

3. If I feel the need for one on one time with my son, I would rather take him and go.. This was hardly an issue in the past, before he started preschool..but now I feel that with him in school, i dont get to take him out just by myself as much anymore..so perhaps the hubby could sit out on these trips.

So I guess in conclusion, I would say
Do I prefer that my Hubby is with us? YES on the conditions that
1. he would actually enjoy himself and not feel like he is being dragged around
2. He wouldn't need to think every minor decision through.
3. He would help and spend time with my son and take this as a chance to bond further

NO when
1. the place is going to bore him
2.He decides to take his BIg camera along..(:p)
3. When I see the need for one-on-one with my son.
4. When I want to do something spontaneous...(or as far as I can)

Hope this helps your research
Aysha
Wonderful Gifts For Wonderful People

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Permalink Reply by Mom-Nom.Com on June 4, 2010 at 1:39pm

On the weekend I choose to do things that we can all do together. Both kids and hubbs. Both of us work full-time so I find it important that the kids see us interacting as a family asmuch as possibl when we have time.

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Permalink Reply by Hethr on June 4, 2010 at 3:12pm

Huh...I must be the odd one out here. I don't go out to these kinds of places. I don't believe that I've EVER been to the museum. I went to the joke of a zoo with my kids ONCE and won't waste a day doing that again. I loathe fast food restaurants and won't pay for the over-priced spaghetti and sauce at the "fancier" restaurants. Nope. Not me.

My family time is spent IN my home. Folding laundry with the kids, cleaning up after supper or just sitting together as we watch TV. The rare times that we do go out, it's a picnic in the park or a huge family (as in all the extended family) BBQ.

For me, it doesn't matter if hubby is there or not. If he is, it's a bonus, if he's not, it's not as if he's "missing" he's just at work.

My oldest children are now big enough that I find it interesting to have one-on-one time with. But even then, it's still "Family time" to me.

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Permalink Reply by flmom (Kim) on June 5, 2010 at 9:42am

I have a 4yo and an 11yo. If both children go, I do prefer my hubby to go - it just makes for an easier day with the little one. We're homeschoolers, so I really like my older child to get a great learning experience from the specific type outings you mentioned. The younger child doesn't always have the same interest and definitely not the attention span, so hubby can keep him occupied as needed.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy Patrick on June 5, 2010 at 10:57am

It depends on the outing & the amt of time. If my hubby is feeling rushed, I would prefer he not go because then he is edgy & grumpy, which then affects the kids' moods and then nobody has a good time.

Tammy

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Permalink Reply by Chelsea Klassen on June 5, 2010 at 1:26pm

I always prefer to have my husband. I like having an adult to talk to. My husband is very laid back, and it's nice to have someone to talk to while the kids run around. I don't even enjoy taking my kids to the park with out him. I get bored!

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Permalink Reply by Mandie on June 5, 2010 at 5:57pm

We go to these places lot. If it's the weekend I prefer my dh because I do things with the girls all week and they adore their daddy. We have fun together as a family. He also helps a lot.

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