M
moseying_stoner
Guest
As your wife gets older, be patient with her. 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 at their spouses.
My name is, Bob... Let me relate how I handled the situation with
my wife, Nancy. When I was 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 the health
benefits that we needed.
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
dinner. I try not to yell. Instead, I tell her to take her time and
just wake me when she finally does get dinner on the table.
She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. Now,
it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after
dinner. 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 motivate her to get them
done before she goes to bed.
Now that she is older, she does seem 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 she finishes up the laundry the
next evening, I'm 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 a little
more time to do some of those odds and ends things, like
shampooing the dog, vacuuming or dusting.
Also, if I had a really good day of 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, big, cold glass of
freshly squeezed lemonade 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, then 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 my ability to show 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 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 well
worthwhile.
Signed, Bob
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 at their spouses.
My name is, Bob... Let me relate how I handled the situation with
my wife, Nancy. When I was 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 the health
benefits that we needed.
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
dinner. I try not to yell. Instead, I tell her to take her time and
just wake me when she finally does get dinner on the table.
She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. Now,
it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after
dinner. 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 motivate her to get them
done before she goes to bed.
Now that she is older, she does seem 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 she finishes up the laundry the
next evening, I'm 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 a little
more time to do some of those odds and ends things, like
shampooing the dog, vacuuming or dusting.
Also, if I had a really good day of 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, big, cold glass of
freshly squeezed lemonade 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, then 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 my ability to show 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 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 well
worthwhile.
Signed, Bob
