retire

So I am free from the constraints of a daily schedule other than an occasional trip to the doctor, the golf course and my workout. Almost everything I need to do can work around my schedule and not the other way. Now it is the Holiday period and let us say I am at my son’s house using my laptop to write this article while he and his family prepare lunch. Right now everything is fine because it is the Sunday following Christmas and just prior to the New Year celebration.

We have arranged ahead of time that my wife and I will be staying here through the end of the next week which is convenient to my son and daughter-in-law as the children are out of school and both parents have full time jobs. This leaves us with the convenience of watching the children for the few days of school being out. What I must be careful of is putting any extra stress on my son and his wife by not leaving room for them to egress back to their normal activities.

The best way to avoid conflicts is to have an open discussion with your relatives or friends with whom you will be spending holidays. We all know what it is like when a friend or relative over-stays their welcome and we usually do not want to be that over burdensome person. So ask, plan and modify the plan as it best suits the people with whom you are guesting. Do not be afraid to cut your stay short and do not be offended when you feel you must. In other words go, have fun, be useful but not in the way, then go home or wherever else you planned to go. You are the one with the flexible schedule.