Over the Shock and GALing 6

[Thinker]

Is this a plan you are making with her, Think, or an evening you want her to clear so you can go out without her while she is with the kids?

It's the latter.

However, please don't misunderstand. It's not a case of me always wanting to be out with the Guys and stick her with the kids again. I'm pretty involved every evening, and do the whole evening routine myself a couple of times a week while she is out - working, with friends, etc. It is a case of me saying "On that day there, instead of me being here and you being free to go out if you want to, I need you to not make plans so that I can go out"

I could phrase it differently - ie "I am planning to go out next Tuesday. Are you going to be here, or should I arrange a sitter?"

I do think that often it is my wording, or maybe my tone, (or even just her expectations) that pisses her off more than the content of what I am saying.

Trying to figure it out so I can change it, without going back to my old ways of just giving in to avoid the conflict (and then being resentful myself).