Coronavirus: How not to crash your relationship in isolation with your partner

Working from home may sound fun and relaxing and more bearable to you, but having to do so with a partner and/or kids changes the dynamics entirely.

Working from home with your partner does not have to be boring or scary. [Credit: PeopleImages/Getty Images] Everyone wants to be in a relationship, yes. But what happens to those who have never seen reason for any of that? PeopleImages/Getty Images

If you are not worrying about your kids self-destructing when you look away for 10 seconds, you might be concerned about who gets to make/get the meals. Being together for so long with your partner without any breaks could also pose different issues of their own: for instance, you guys might just get tired and bored out of your minds with each other’s constant, unending presence and stuff.

Actually a lot of things can go wrong but the truth is; they don’t have to. And here is how to make sure that they don’t.

1. Compromise and respect for each other’s work routine

Simple example: one of you may like working in a noisy environment, say with loud music blaring from the speakers in the living room; while the other would rather move in silence.

Be considerate enough to use earphones to accommodate them. Oh, well, except if you have a huge house where you can both do your thing without disrupting each other. Bottom line, concede things to each other for comfort and peaceful co-existence.

A little disruption won't hurt. But know how to not overdo it. [Credit - The Muse] Would you be able to comport yourselves though? [Credit - The Muse] tHE Muse

2. Boundaries

Respect their physical work space if there’s one set up. As much as you can, just pretend they’re at work. it won’t be easy and to be honest, some interference can be cute and heartwarming but know when to step back again and let each other do the work you’re meant to be doing.

You can use the extra time to try out some new recipe in the kitchen with bae [Credit - Shutterstock] African American Couple Cooking. Shutterstock

3. Put some of the spare time to good use

Since you’d be working from home, no one is rushing out to avoid traffic [side eye to Lagos people], and no one is arriving at home late because they had to work late or because they got stuck in traffic [again, Lagos people.]

You see that extra time you’ve got on your hands now? Do interesting things with them. New recipes, novel sex positions, reading those books you always wanted to read together, movies you never had time to bond over… just go ahead and do them.

Bathing together is one of the most underrated forms of intimacy [Credit - Naukrima] Bathing together is one of the most underrated forms of intimacy [Credit - Naukrima] nAUKRIMA

4. Take turns caring for the kids

If you’ve got any kids, don’t leave only one person to it. You are both at home, you are both responsible for them. Make it show.

5. Find some alone time

So you don’t get bored [too much] with each other because chances are that this might happen at some point.

Allow each other indulge in personal non-work activities without guilt-tripping each other about having fun without the other person. Let the other enjoy their personal time with friends, extended family.

If they’re not denying you time, it’d be selfish to deny them of this personal need.