As a pro sports wife you know how limited time with your athlete husband can be. Quality time can seem nonexistent during the sports season. The holidays can be especially difficult because it is a time for family togetherness and your athlete is away on the road. Although holidays may be full of fine festivities, chef-prepared foods, and expensive gifts, there is nothing like getting quality time with your athlete when he’s home.
Quality time is an essential ingredient in a healthy marriage. Everyday life stressors work to withdraw love from your relationship; quality time restores that love by making deposits. Marriages cannot run on just routines and checks and balances; there must be healthy interaction. Getting this quality time may be difficult during the holidays because your athlete is being pulled in many directions during his short appearances home. As a pro athlete’s wife, you must be very purposeful and creative to get the quality time you and your husband need to maintain a healthy marriage.
Creative Quality Time Moments
- Create a Fancy Night In: Put the kids to bed early and create a fancy night for your husband. Put on that sexy black dress; have a candle lit dinner with romantic music playing in the background. This type of night calls for a chef-prepared dinner to be served so the both of you can focus solely on each other.
- Give each other a 15 minute Massage: Don’t pass up this very sensual, intimate experience of touching each other and creating connection.
- Rent one of your Favorite “Couple” Movies: Create quality time by snuggling on the couch with a rented DVD. Watching old favorites can help couples reminisce about other fun and happy times shared between them.
- Go for a Short Drive Together: At times when the entourage won’t leave or family members are visiting, this is a great way to escape and create quality time alone.
- Go for a Walk and Hold Hands: I recommend this activity after dinner which serves a dual purpose. Use this time to catch up on family updates and other pertinent information that needs to be shared.
- Take a Bath or Shower Together: This is a clever and creative way to maximize spending the most time with each other!
- Make Love: Make sure this doesn’t get overlooked with the chaos that sometimes accompanies your athlete home.
Porsha Williams, LAMFT
Pwilliams@ GROWcounseling.com