Final Reflection Paper

After much talk between my wife and I, she has become unsure of she wants to still apply on post or at USAA. I try and direct her as best I can. USAA will offer between pension as well as 401K, but the hours may not work with being home for our oldest to take to therapy. Understanding this I had my priorities set on money hers are set on how she can balance work, home, the kids and appointments. It is something that we were failing on seeing eye to eye on until this weekend. I have been so focused on her getting a job and having the extra income for when we buy a home in a few years that I was failing to see the heavy impact that she must support even with working.

2. Why is this important? Does what is on your mind now, impact the importance?

This is very important beucase our daughter cannot go without therapy. She goes three times out of the week and there is not time that would work with a regular nine to five type of job with the traffic here in San Antiono. We talked about getting a nanny that is a high priority that we will be focused on, but it still leaves us that they would have to transport all three of our kids to our daughters therapy if my wife can not get the hours she needs in order to be able to still work and take care of the kids.

3. What worked and what did not work? What was the real challenge for you?

The real challenge for me as her coach was her not seeing the impact that her working would make on our finances. I was so focused on in three years were going to retiree, and if she does not have a job I can not retire. We need to save money for our retirement home. This was not working, because after our conversation this past weekend the things that I had been focused on are only some of the things she is focused on. She has been applying for jobs, so it’s not like she is not trying, but she also takes account for she has three to still take care of, she is prioritizing our oldest as it should be, and I was not. She is trying to get the hours that are needed to support our family and still take care of everyone.

4. If you were to start over, what would you do differently? How could I have helped or guided you?

I think if I were to start over, I would keep our list that we made. I would communicate more with her on some of the important issues. I always knew she wanted to work seven to three so that she could still manage taking our oldest to therapy. I just did not see it. I knew it but did not set in. I became focused on money and income instead of her managing our family still while working.

5. COACH - reflect on the questions and your perspectives.

I see things that she is talking about. I told her I would get a job and her reply was “we never see you during the week why would you want to do that” and it came down to the money. This is why I am thankful that we had time away this weekend ( we joined the YMCA and we go put the kids in day care and have time together) this was the conversation I think we needed to have beucase I wasn’t seeing what she was. This has put us on the correct path, whether it be nanny covering down to appointments or her working the hours that are needed.