mickeyfinn
04-22-2005, 05:47 PM
Maybe I am just turning into a sentimental old fart but I thought maybe this would be worth sharing::
It is important for men to remember that as women grow older it
becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as
they
did when they were younger. When men notice this, they should try not
to
yell. Let me relate how I handle the situation.
When I got laid off from my consulting job and took "early retirement"
in April, it became necessary for Nancy to get a full-time job, both
for extra income and for health benefits that we need. It was shortly
after she started working that I noticed that she was beginning to show
her
age.
I usually get home from fishing or hunting about the same time she
gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost
always
says that she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts
supper. I try not to yell, instead I tell her to take her time and
just wake me when she finally does get supper on the tabl! e. She used to
do
the dishes as soon as we finished eating. It is now not unusual for
them to sit on the table for several hours after supper. I do what I
can by
reminding her several times each evening that they aren't cleaning
themselves. I know she appreciates this, as it does seem to help her
get them done before she goes to bed.
Now that she is older she seems to get tired so much more quickly. Our
washer and dryer are in the basement. Sometimes she says she just
can't make another trip down those steps. I don't make a big issue of
this.
As long as she finishes up the laundry the next evening I am willing to
overlook it.
Not only that, but unless I need something ironed to wear to the
Monday lodge meeting or to Wednesday's or Saturday's poker club or to
Tuesday's or Thursday's bowling or something like that, I will tell her
to wait
until the next evening to do the ironing. This gives her littl! e more
time to do some of those odds and ends things like shampooing the dog,
vacuuming or dusting. Also, if I have had a really good day fishing,
this allows her to gut and scale the fish at a more leisurely pace.
Nancy is starting to complain a little occasionally. For example, she
will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly
bills during her lunch hour. In spite of her complaining, I continue
to try to offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or
even three days. That way she won't have to rush so much. I also
remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her
any,
if you know what I mean.
When doing simple jobs she seems to think she needs more rest periods.
She had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the
yard. I try not to embarrass her when she needs these little extra
rest
breaks. I tell her to fix herself a nice, bi! g, cold glass of freshly
squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. I tell her that as long as
she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me and
take her break by the hammock so she can talk with me until I fall
asleep.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Nancy on
a daily basis. I'm not saying that the ability to show this much
consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find
it impossible. No one knows better than I do how frustrating women can
become as they get older. However, guys, even if you just yell at your
wife a little less often because of this article, I will consider that
writing it was worthwhile.
It is important for men to remember that as women grow older it
becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as
they
did when they were younger. When men notice this, they should try not
to
yell. Let me relate how I handle the situation.
When I got laid off from my consulting job and took "early retirement"
in April, it became necessary for Nancy to get a full-time job, both
for extra income and for health benefits that we need. It was shortly
after she started working that I noticed that she was beginning to show
her
age.
I usually get home from fishing or hunting about the same time she
gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost
always
says that she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts
supper. I try not to yell, instead I tell her to take her time and
just wake me when she finally does get supper on the tabl! e. She used to
do
the dishes as soon as we finished eating. It is now not unusual for
them to sit on the table for several hours after supper. I do what I
can by
reminding her several times each evening that they aren't cleaning
themselves. I know she appreciates this, as it does seem to help her
get them done before she goes to bed.
Now that she is older she seems to get tired so much more quickly. Our
washer and dryer are in the basement. Sometimes she says she just
can't make another trip down those steps. I don't make a big issue of
this.
As long as she finishes up the laundry the next evening I am willing to
overlook it.
Not only that, but unless I need something ironed to wear to the
Monday lodge meeting or to Wednesday's or Saturday's poker club or to
Tuesday's or Thursday's bowling or something like that, I will tell her
to wait
until the next evening to do the ironing. This gives her littl! e more
time to do some of those odds and ends things like shampooing the dog,
vacuuming or dusting. Also, if I have had a really good day fishing,
this allows her to gut and scale the fish at a more leisurely pace.
Nancy is starting to complain a little occasionally. For example, she
will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly
bills during her lunch hour. In spite of her complaining, I continue
to try to offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or
even three days. That way she won't have to rush so much. I also
remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her
any,
if you know what I mean.
When doing simple jobs she seems to think she needs more rest periods.
She had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the
yard. I try not to embarrass her when she needs these little extra
rest
breaks. I tell her to fix herself a nice, bi! g, cold glass of freshly
squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. I tell her that as long as
she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me and
take her break by the hammock so she can talk with me until I fall
asleep.
I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Nancy on
a daily basis. I'm not saying that the ability to show this much
consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find
it impossible. No one knows better than I do how frustrating women can
become as they get older. However, guys, even if you just yell at your
wife a little less often because of this article, I will consider that
writing it was worthwhile.