Autism Parenting Magazine Issue 44(Member's Dashboard) | Page 18

PARENTAL ADVICE Date Night: Simple Ways to CELEBRATE YOUR LOVE By Michelle MYERS My husband Gary and I have been together for longer than I care to remember, and those who know us well know that romance comes way down in our list of priorities. H e’s busy with his full-time job, and his fitness regime and I’m busy holding the fort at home and, well, being a full-time mum and carer! And sometimes we really are like ships that pass in the night most days, as I am so shattered by the time he gets home from work that I can’t even be bothered to talk to him some days. Usually when he arrives home at teatime I give him a quick grunt and head off upstairs to collapse on the bed, catch up on an episode of Downton Abbey or have a dip in the bath before someone knocks on the 18 | Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 44 bathroom door shouting “Mum, what’s wrong with the Wi-Fi?” However, at this time of year, the commercial pressure of romance starts to ramp up as all the shops flood with love hearts and roses — Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. Now this day of romance is something we have always struggled with as we have a young family, and having a child with autism means that finding a babysitter we can leave our kids with is actually like mission impossible — so nights out are a real rarity.