So the time has come for the negotiations to begin, my two years of roaming the World is coming to an end and I am due to return home.  I am very excited to be going home but it also means that my husband and I are entering into that difficult phase known as the negotiation phase.  This is when a new chapter of life is opening and each member of the partnership gets to argue their case for the direction of the next in our case 12 months.  In most normal people I believe it is more like a 5 – 10 year plan, unfortunately we can barely plan 6 months in advance.  I have won the last two years, so unfortunately I am in a poor bargaining position.  It’s going to take more then Jack’s pup dog eyes to bring on a win this year.

The negotiation phase in our case has been going on for the last six months, subtle planting of suggestions and ideas of what we would like the future to hold.  We have in this way developed some rough KPI’s for the year, some travel, minimal work and some housing renovations.  It is however getting to the pointy end of the year and more exact lines are going to have to be drawn….

So how best to approach domestic negotiations?

The first step is to define your hard limits, what is non-negotiable, in our discussions these are the usual areas of dispute, so I have been putting some effort into thinking about what is important so that I can draw a line if needed;

• The number of fur children, for me three dogs is about the limit.  I forgive Missy, she is our accidental child every-one has at least one.  Missy does bring balance to our slightly anxious and neurotic first born, she is his favourite blankie and protects him, so she can stay.  The two cats are old, no-one else would have them so they stay, but will not be replaced… I have pushed the limits and added a beehive to the equation this summer, I have also planted the idea of chickens and I am just going to get the fish.  So basically I have no respect for Will’s limits on this issue, because I passed them about 2 cats ago and am still going.
• The amount of hours at work, I do have a tendency to like to work a bit much.  I basically would be happy to be a workaholic.  Will not so much.  Now to tell the truth I am a little over the 9 – 5, but I have played a little bit hard to get on this one.  Finally after quite a few months of holding out I have promised not to take a job that requires me working 60hrs a week and I’ve even promised not to work Mon – Fri…  I know it is a compromise but sometimes you just have to make them.
• The holiday destination,  well really its my 40th, so its my choice, right?

So we have basically agreed on the major components of our lifestyle, except for the no more fur children  vs chickens & fish argument and the Mongolia vs Europe argument.

Now we just have to agree on the specifics 🙂 It’s going to be a fun summer and after writing the list I don’t feel to hard done by!!!  Good job Will doesn’t read my blog.