.....................................RETIRED HUSBAND
It is important for men to remember that as women grow older it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of house keeping they did when they were younger. When men notice this they should try not to yell.
Let me show you how I handled the situation with my wife.
When I chucked my job and took early retirement , it became necessary for my wife to get a full-time job
both for extra income and for health insurance benefits that we needed, The wife was a trained lab tech when we met all those years ago and was fortunate enough to get a job at the local medical centre. It was shortly after she started work at this job that I noticed that she was beginning to show her age.
I usually get home from bingo or the pub 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 at her when this happens. Instead I tell he to take her time. I understand that she is not as young as she used to be, I just tell her to wake me when she finally does get supper on the table. She used to wash and dry 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.
Our washer and dryer are in the basement. when she was younger, the wife used to be able to go up and down the stairs all day and not get tired. Now that she is older she seems to get tired so much more quickly. Sometimes she says to me 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 day I am willing to overlook it.
Not only that , but unless I need something ironed to wear to the Monday's skittles evening or to Wednesday's or Saturdays darts evening or Tuesday's or Thursday's night out with boys 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 have had a really good day out fishing for a change, this allows her to gut and scale the fish at a more leisurely pace. The wife is staring to complain a little occasionally. Not often, mind you, but just enough for me to notice.
For example, she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills in her lunch hour. In spite of her complaining, I continue to offer encouragement . I tell her to stretch it out over two or three days, that way she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing her lunch 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 than she used to have to take. A couple of weeks ago she sais she had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the lawn. I overlook comments like these because I realise it is just age talking. In fact, I try not to embarrass 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. I tell her that as long ass 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 to me until I fall asleep.
I could go on and on but I think you know where I'm coming from. I know that I probably look like a saint in the way that I support my wife on a daily basis. I'm not saying that the ability to show such 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.
My purpose in writing this is simply to suggest that you make the effort. I realise that achieving the exemplary level of showing consideration I have attained is out of reach of the average man. However guys , even if you just yell at your wife a little les often , I will consider that writing it was worthwhile.
****This article was found by the paramedic next to KOTC.
He may make a full recovery.
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