How to be a caring supporter for your wife

Subject: SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND :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 when they were younger.

When you notice this, try not to shout at them. Some are over-sensitive and there's nothing worse than an over-sensitive woman.

My name is Roy. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Tricia.

When I took early retirement last year, it became necessary for Tricia to get a full-time job for the extra income that we need. Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning to show her age.

I now usually get home from the pub about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she nearly always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't shout at her, instead I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch at the pub so eating out again is out of the question; I'm ready for some home cooked food when I get in.

She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now it's usual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.

Another symptom of ageing is complaining. For example, she will say that it Is difficult for her to do the shopping during her lunch hour. But we take them for better or worse, so I just smile and 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 won't hurt her.

I like to think tact is one of my strong points.

When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She has to take a rest when she has only half finished mowing the lawn and several extra breaks when she's vacuuming through the house. It does annoy me, vacuuming when I'm trying to watch 'Match of the Day', but I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to make herself a nice cup of tea and just sit for a while, and as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me too.

I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Tricia. I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older. However, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your ageing wife 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:

Roy died suddenly last week. He was found with a 24-inch Stanley screwdriver rammed up his bum with only 2 inches showing. His wife Tricia was arrested, but the all-woman jury accepted her defence that he accidentally sat on it.

Cody

That's hilarious. I'm not married, but live with my retired parents. My mum has let her standards slip. She used to bring me a cup of tea every morning and now she expects me to make my own she's also become hooked on some game called Candy Crush, which means she can be late getting the dinner ready and doesn't put in the required effort for an acceptable meal.

God forbid you challenge her about her new found addiction.

reply to post by woodwardjnr


As long as you remain tolerant

I think that is the answer, try not to point it out, maybe just hint at it by standing there with an empty plate making tummy grumbling noises

I hope you found this useful

Cody

Star and flag for writing a great short story! It made an awesome point, and covered a lot of bases. I know guys like this. It is a product of gender segregation and it is in everyone's best interest for this not to happen.

It isn't just the woman who has trouble in this scenario. Think of how much damage the man takes to his mental capacities in a society where he doesn't have to do anything.

I think by ending gender segregation and balancing the current energies between genders, people overall might be happier!

I didn't laugh today ,my sense of humor is lacking

reply to post by darkbake


Just trying my best to help society get along little better

Cody

I was doing it all wrong. Thank you for this wonderful advice!

That was good, gonna share that with the wife when she gets home!

reply to post by cody599


Roy....

To be quite honest...

Trade Tricia in for a couple of quid!... Otherwise get it scrapped... believe me....

Ey Dell boy... Nahhh what ahhh mean?... Avverwise, blakken er fakkin eye! (hope i get away with the T and Csz... *ahem*

Seriously... when you look at the price of scrap metal... that old motor is worth a bob or two!?

Many kindest respects

Rodinus

Originally posted by sublik
I was doing it all wrong. Thank you for this wonderful advice!

You're welcome my friend,

We need to be careful with our women

Cody

reply to post by Darkblade71


I take no responsibility for coffee induced psychosis related injuries as a reaction to my thread

Cody

reply to post by Rodinus


If only they all knew what we know Rod

Soon enough my friend




Cody

A very good story, especially that "twist" at the "end".

This is my response to his line of thinking.

reply to post by cody599
Funny cody! I'm surprised my Dad hasn't sent me that one!

I am fortunate that it didn't take getting older for my hubby to learn patience, he learned it very early on. It's a bit different at our house though: if he inadvertently tries to "gently remind" me of an unfinished task I "gently remind" him that his arms and legs aren't broken and if he is so "concerned" he can take on said task himself! He doesn't "remind" me of too much anymore- it is much too difficult to sleep with his eyes open!

Originally posted by cody599
reply to post by Rodinus

 

If only they all knew what we know Rod

Soon enough my friend




Cody

I guess that we should warn everyone that soon... very S.O.O.N... a very scary thread is coming up...

How i just love keeping people in suspense!

Bwahahahahahahahahaha......

Kindest respects

Rodinus

reply to post by cody599



Ohhh gawwwddddd.... I have just remembered... how utterly shameful and selfish of myself!

I left my wife shackled to the lawnmower yesterday (which coincidently is also chained to an old oak tree at the bottom of our garden next to the compost heap) and forgot to unpadlock her... i thought it was quiet this morning!
Now i understand why my steaming mug of coffee was not waiting for me on the breakfast table as it usually is!

Thanks for the reminder Cody

Warm and kindest respects

Rodinus

Originally posted by KyrieEleison
A very good story, especially that "twist" at the "end".

This is my response to his line of thinking.

HUH ?
I'll read that again later when my brain kicks in

Falling asleep in the afternoon is a real killer

Cody

Originally posted by littled16
reply to post by cody599

 

Funny cody! I'm surprised my Dad hasn't sent me that one!

I am fortunate that it didn't take getting older for my hubby to learn patience, he learned it very early on. It's a bit different at our house though: if he inadvertently tries to "gently remind" me of an unfinished task I "gently remind" him that his arms and legs aren't broken and if he is so "concerned" he can take on said task himself! He doesn't "remind" me of too much anymore- it is much too difficult to sleep with his eyes open!

I'll bare that in mind

Thank you for your sage advice

I'll just remind Mrs C that the roast I'm making won't cook itself

When I say cooking ............. well you get the gist

Cody

reply to post by Rodinus


Always glad to be of help Rod

I guess that we should warn everyone that soon... very S.O.O.N... a very scary thread is coming up...

Go for it my friend, the honour is all yours, I've got your back

Alien contact has been made

Cody

Originally posted by cody599
reply to post by Rodinus

 

Always glad to be of help Rod

I guess that we should warn everyone that soon... very S.O.O.N... a very scary thread is coming up...

Go for it my friend, the honour is all yours, I've got your back

Alien contact has been made

Cody

edit on 27/5/13 by cody599 because: (no reason given)

I need a couple of days here Cody... i am not sure how i am going to be able to put this across to ATS members...

Some of them, as well as of our friends may be extremely shocked!

I will take tomorrow to think about how i can put this across to people... might even have to create a thread about this extremely touchy subject... what do you think

I considered showing this to my wife to show her the similarities of our situations. My wife is also getting a bit older, so I have to constantly remind her that bathrooms don't clean themselves, and if she keeps forgetting I will have her committed for early onset Alzheimer's...

I only considered it for a moment, though... my wife is a redhead

Sometimes there is longevity in silence...