This is dedicated to my mother. I am not writing this because I am the greatest husband in the world or because I have cornered the market on being a good spouse, I just believe in marriage and want to give those guys out there a few hints and tips on how to keep your wife happy and to maybe avoid getting pestered to do something around the house.
On one of my days off, I do the dishes, clean the house, empty the garbage, cat box, recycling and clean out the fridge. I have also been known to do some shopping and cooking dinner and breakfast. Laundry is optional; I will do my own, but leave my wife to do hers because as a male I am an idiot when it comes to delicates, permanent press and ironing. I am also very secure in my masculinity as I lint brush the duvet.
I don’t do these things because I am the sweetest guy on the planet; I do it because I was taught at a young age how to execute these duties. I was one of the original latchkey kids, with both parents working. So the arrangement was that my sister and I had dinner ready when mom got home, having the house cleaned and I also assisting with the shopping trips on the weekends.
At the time I had no idea that my mom had such enormous insight. I thought I was getting ripped off from the joys of boyhood because I had traded in my football helmet for an apron. Later in life I came to understand the importance of sharing the daily household tasks, that the wife is not solely responsible for everything. Sometimes both spouses need to work or the woman has decided she wants a career. Regardless of why, sharing the workload is a good idea.
If you are having people over for dinner or a family get together, vacuum, dust and straighten up the house without being asked. If your wife is working all day, maybe have dinner on the table for her when she gets home. Run errands and help out when you can, a small amount of consideration goes a long way.
Either that or put the kids to work.