FRAZZLED mother-of-two Katy-Rose Meaney puts her children to bed. Then, rather than slinking towards her husband for a kiss and cuddle on the couch, she sneaks off to sleep , alone. Mentally exhausted from meeting the demands of her children’s school calendar , plus prepping for the six-week summer holiday , Katy — like many mums — is close to breaking point.
And so is her relationship with husband of nine years Nathan, 33. According to psychologists, this time of year is the most common period for couples to suffer from relationship burnout — with both parties feeling exhausted, disengaged, disconnected, unmotivated and irritable . “Forget summer lovin’ there has been no chance of that for months,” says Katy, 38.
“And none in sight for the next six to eight weeks. “Every night, for weeks, I have had to buy, book, order or plan something for the kids for the end of school, so there is no chance of a cosy night with a bottle of wine cuddled up on the couch. “Lighter nights, and the relaxing of the school day in the run-up to holidays , means no bedtime routine, so we don’t get quality evening time once the kids have gone to bed either.
“No rosé in the garden, and no summer snogs. “Once they are finally asleep, I’m conking out too. Our relationship has fallen down our list of priorities and we are snapping at each other more.
“Our intimate relationship is in bits because when I fall into bed, exhausted, the last thing on my mind is marital rela.
