Well, it's what you said, a balancing act. Some of us do have more free time.
My husband tends to want to ride every single weekend both days. Sometimes I just have to say NO!! and occasionally he stays home too. But you have to make sacrifices. I also try to combine bicycling with other activities.
Let's go to the opera on our bikes. Let's go to my mother's on our bikes...

During the winter you will notice a lot of mileage drops off. I will set up a bike in my basement for the long dark weeks of wet and cold.. otherwise, I lose my training.
Hope that helps.