Ridewithme38
TUG Member
ADVICE FROM A STAY AT HOME MOM
It is important for women to remember that, as men grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of work as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive man.
My name is Roseanne. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my husband. After i had his child a few years ago, it became necessary for John to get a full-time job, along with his part-time job, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed. Shortly after he started working 85 hours a week, I noticed he was beginning to show his age. I usually wake up around 11, watched Oprah from 1-2, then Guiding Light from 2-3, then Ellen from 4-5 till about the same time he gets home from work.
Although he knows how important my soap opera's and talk shows are, he almost always asks me whats for dinner. Of course, i have to rest for a couple hours from watching TV and listening to the baby cry in the other room all day before I decide he should call and order dinner. I don't yell at him for asking, instead I just politely hand him the hungry, crying, wet baby and tell him i need a break. I tell him to take his time and just wake me when he gets dinner on the table. I generally sit on the couch all day eating chips and diet soda, so no need to rush the delivery since i'm not that hungry anyway. He used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now since its always take out, it's not unusual for the take out boxes to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding him several times each evening that the trash won't take itself out and the baby needs to be changed again. I know he really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate him to get take it out before he gives the baby a bath.
Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think. For example, he will say that it is difficult for him to find time to pay the monthly bills during his lunch hour and that i am spending too much money on housecoats and curling irons. But, Ladies, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement I tell him to stretch it out over two, or even three days and that maybe he should cut back on the beer to save money. That way, he won't have to rush so much. I also remind him that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt him any, by pointing our how nice out mailman and poolboy look. I like to think tact is one of my strong points.
When doing simple jobs, he seems to think he needs more rest periods. He had to take a break when he was only half-finished cleaning the house, it was a mess. I try'd not to make a scene. I'm a fair woman. I tell him to fix himself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as he is making one for herself, he may as well make one for me, and change the babies diaper too.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support my husband I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many women will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating men get as they get older. However, Ladies, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging husband because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Roseanne later was found overdosed on bon-bons and anti-aging creams. The police report says she was found with such a death grip on the remote that they had to perform the autopsy while Day's of our Lives was playing. Her husband has since remarried to a women in her 20's and only the imprint on the couch was said to mourn her at the funeral
It is important for women to remember that, as men grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of work as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive man.
My name is Roseanne. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my husband. After i had his child a few years ago, it became necessary for John to get a full-time job, along with his part-time job, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed. Shortly after he started working 85 hours a week, I noticed he was beginning to show his age. I usually wake up around 11, watched Oprah from 1-2, then Guiding Light from 2-3, then Ellen from 4-5 till about the same time he gets home from work.
Although he knows how important my soap opera's and talk shows are, he almost always asks me whats for dinner. Of course, i have to rest for a couple hours from watching TV and listening to the baby cry in the other room all day before I decide he should call and order dinner. I don't yell at him for asking, instead I just politely hand him the hungry, crying, wet baby and tell him i need a break. I tell him to take his time and just wake me when he gets dinner on the table. I generally sit on the couch all day eating chips and diet soda, so no need to rush the delivery since i'm not that hungry anyway. He used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now since its always take out, it's not unusual for the take out boxes to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding him several times each evening that the trash won't take itself out and the baby needs to be changed again. I know he really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate him to get take it out before he gives the baby a bath.
Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think. For example, he will say that it is difficult for him to find time to pay the monthly bills during his lunch hour and that i am spending too much money on housecoats and curling irons. But, Ladies, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement I tell him to stretch it out over two, or even three days and that maybe he should cut back on the beer to save money. That way, he won't have to rush so much. I also remind him that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt him any, by pointing our how nice out mailman and poolboy look. I like to think tact is one of my strong points.
When doing simple jobs, he seems to think he needs more rest periods. He had to take a break when he was only half-finished cleaning the house, it was a mess. I try'd not to make a scene. I'm a fair woman. I tell him to fix himself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as he is making one for herself, he may as well make one for me, and change the babies diaper too.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support my husband I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many women will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating men get as they get older. However, Ladies, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging husband because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Roseanne later was found overdosed on bon-bons and anti-aging creams. The police report says she was found with such a death grip on the remote that they had to perform the autopsy while Day's of our Lives was playing. Her husband has since remarried to a women in her 20's and only the imprint on the couch was said to mourn her at the funeral
