Humm, where do I start, @colleensteele? For this one, I will begin by saying that although there are many personality differences, I also find that helps us work well together.
I want to help others no matter how bad I feel. On the other hand, Manny is helpful and knows that sometimes you need to let others care for themselves. He has boundaries and knows that it isn’t his job to save the world.
This often becomes a challenge when I have lousy PH days and my parents or friends need something. It’s funny now that I am writing about it, but it does cause challenges at times. I will drop what I am doing and start calling and trying to help them work on their issues. I’m good while he’s at work.
But when he’s home, he will put an end to that quickly. When I have done this, and he has been at work, he often knows if I am beyond my bad PH day when he walks in. He knows me too well and will start asking who I’ve talked to and then make those conclusions. But, our personality differences often get us through the difficult days as caregivers and patients.
Since I have learned to set boundaries, I’m doing better with this for the most part, anyway.
Yes, I’ve always been an early bird and talk from the moment I wake up. He’s more of a night owl and needs a coffee or two cups before he wants anyone to speak to him, LOL. It’s an ongoing joke in our house that I was the kid jumping on my parent’s bed at 5 AM trying to get them awake and asking them what we were doing that day. Hehe