My grandpa is in his 70's and able bodied- his wife had foot surgery, can't get around well and is losing her memory. She is very 'dependent' on him physically and emotionally and yells at him a lot. He told me today he is burned out. How can he talk to her about taking some 'time away' to recharge his batteries, without insulting the fact that they are married, etc. He'd like to go fishing for a couple days. Any tips I can share with him to breech a difficult conversation with her?
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Grandpa probably doesn't want to keep doing the housework, and I bet he was totally surprised about all the work that is involved so no wonder he is burnt out.... Grandma probably has been burnt out doing all that work herself when she was able bodied, too. Did she get to go away for a couple days of fishing? Or whatever?
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What does your grandmother like to do that she could do alone - i.e., how can she benefit from a weekend with the girls, or with her friends? If she can see this as a benefit, it might lessen the impact of your grandfather's needing his own private time.
On the other hand, would she like to go with him? If you know she wouldn't want to, then ask her in anticipation of her saying no.
I'm wondering if they both wouldn't benefit by pursuing separate interests from home. Are there any senior, volunteer, animal rescue, creative, etc., activities that either might enjoy?