Katie Taggert's 'How To Have a Successful Summer'

How to have a successful summer A brief background on me. My husband and I met 3 weeks before he left for the summer and were married 2 months before the next one. This will be our 4th summer together...All I really know is summer sales. I wish I could show you a video of my past 3 summers as a "what not to do", BUT they have given me insight (as I'm sure most vet wives have experienced) on how make each summer a success for yourself, your husband, your kids and your marriage. I want to share those lessons learned from my own mistakes. My first summer (2 months of marriage under my belt) I would wait up every night for my husband to get home with a yummy dinner freshly made. He would walk through the door and be exhausted, only wanting to eat relax then sleep. I would get so angry because I had been waiting for him all day and hadn't had a real conversation with any other human so I was all revved up to talk... where as he had been speaking to strangers ALL day. I hated how angry I would get and decided that I needed to just be asleep when he got home so I wouldn't be so mean. Everyone has a different marital schedule that works for them in the summers and some late nights just going to bed helps me. Typically you get your family time in the mornings so make those count. Figure out what works for you and set those expectations. If you both know what each other needs and expects there will be a happy vibe in the home and you can focus on other things that matter more than focusing on your husband being gone for so long. Get to know the other wives they will be your greatest support! That first summer I had, maybe 7, amazing wives out there with me. They all had 2+ children so being young and a newlywed I didn't feel like I could connect with them at first. I had also gotten knee surgery and a dog (hello potty training up and down stairs with crutches). So near the end of the summer I really started relying on those friendships. Those women helped me so much and I wish I spent more time with them developing relationships and learning from them! My second summer I had 3 other wives in the same situation as me. Newly married no children. We were young and had all the free time in the world, we became great friends but didn't take advantage of the beautiful place we were living as well as we could have. So make friends and relationships but be sure you are challenging each other to get out and be productive, have fun!! My third summer I was pregnant but this time I finally had a job! This was by far my favorite summer. I was making money for myself, and once again I had wives in my same situation (pregnant). The job made me feel so much more productive. It was something I could be good at and have success. (where the summers before all my energy was spent on my husbands success and his alone) If you are able, I would highly recommend having a job or a hobby that brings you joy and makes YOU feel successful and be productive. Go to the gym!!! Most gyms have child care so no excuses. Go to the gym. If anything it will make you feel better and get you out of your apartment! You may know all of these things so the question becomes 'HOW!?' Begin with goals. What do YOU want your summer to look like. Then have a way of tracking your goals. Write what your successful summer would look like and put it in a place where you can see it (like a dream board). Everyones definition of success is different so write down what will make you happy. Living a balanced life is key. Create time and energy to invest in yourself physically, spiritually, mentally, socially etc. For You: Create your "perfect summer" , make goals and take the steps necessary to make it happen Make friends with ALL the wives, don't isolate yourself and don't exclude anyone Get out and see your area Read and expand your mind Go to the gym Get a job if you have the time For Your Husband: Be happy and positive for him Push him how HE needs to be pushed Be supportive of all the work he does .He is working for YOU its a way of him showing love, recognize his work and tell him you appreciate it. For Your Marriage: Establish a system and schedule for both of you to have uninterrupted time not focused on work! Make sunday a great day to develop your relationship and do things you enjoy. For Your Kids:
Based on of the amazing wives I got to observe my first summer... success for your kids is PLAY IMAGINATION EXPLORATION! These moms not only let their kids fully embrace the love of a swimming pool but they also got them involved in site specific learning as well. They found museums and interesting places to take their kids during the day so they and their kids could take advantage of the city they lived in. All in all summers can be challenging, they can also be an amazing time for change and growth. When you have success, your husband will have success. ...And when that happens, everyone is happy. I hope you can learn from my mistakes. Each year I learn more and more about how to be more successful and bottom line is taking care of yourself. Don't forget about YOU!!!