Those small things that show her husband how much she appreciates him–mean the world to him.
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With two kids under the age of two, it’s hard not to get caught up in the everyday craziness that is parenting. In between the small spats over whose responsible for putting the kids to bed, or drawing straws over who has to change the next blowout, to who has to make a trip to the store because we’re out of milk, I like to think I do small things that show my husband how much I appreciate him.
But doling out kind words on a regular basis is not so easy these days.
Exhaustion, mixed with needing personal space after spending all day with the kids, and the stress of everyday responsibilities clouds moments when rather than discussing what needs to get done, we should focus on all that we already have.
Here’s why husbands deserve some kudos:
He assembles IKEA furniture:
Picking out the cute toddler bed, tiny table, and bookshelf was the fun part. Putting it all together is torture. But he spends a Saturday afternoon deciphering the step-by-step directions on how to piece together the KURA bed frame, when you would have lost your patience and called IKEA to send in reinforcements. Or, worse, built it without referring to the handbook.
Handles chores like a boss:
Laundry, dishes, bed making, food preparation are all part of the weekly chore list that can drive anyone mad. Luckily he handles the portions most dreaded, which include weekly food preparation, washing the dogs, and picking up the dog poop. A Target trip for him only takes 20 minutes whereas you’ll be there at least an hour. And your basket will contain items not on the list.
He ignores your attire:
There are some weeks when wearing a nursing top and yoga pants are the weekly uniform. When he comes home for work in his collared shirt, slacks and tie, you need not worry about being called out for the stain on your shirt that has been there since the night before when your child used it as a napkin. He’ll ignore it along with the milk stain under your boob. Because he understands nursing is messy.
He listens when you gripe about how your kid/mother-in-law/brother/friend/ fellow mommy drove you bonkers for the most trivial of actions.
He has learned long ago not to comment on your level of crazy but instead to embrace it.
He steps in when you need a break:
Be it in the patience department when your daughter continually talks back and you’re ready to lose your shit, or when your nerves are on overdrive due to expectations you set for yourself. He will swoop in to give you time to go to the gym, take a walk, sit on the couch—just breathe–without any little people climbing all over you.
He understands that sometimes watching an hour of reality TV without having to nurse a baby or mute the sound when the toddler enters the room trumps EVERYTHING.
Plus, he provides levity in the most frustrating of situations, reminds you not to take yourself too seriously, and is on your side when you feel like the world–or just your kids–are against you.
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Ambrosia Brody is a full-time editor, journalist and mother to two spirited daughters. She lives in Southern California in a beach city but hates the sand; enjoys people watching but hates small talk. She started to blog at Random Aspects of (My) Life when she realized everything she knew about parenting was wrong. Connect with her on her blog, Facebook or on Twitter.
Photo: Getty Images
Previously Published on Sammiches and PsychMeds
No question in my mind that good women appreciate their husbands, and we certainly appreciate our wives if we are good men.
The problem is that society does not, and has never appreciated that “other guy”, the one not in congress, the one working his arse off right along with his wife….every freaking day. And that is where the battle lay.
Talking of dog poop…have you heard of a raw diet for dogs? Raw dog food can reduce both frequency and size of dog poop. It’s a healthy change as poop from dry/kibble and canned is full of filler (such as wheat, corn etc) and some of these products are only 4% meat!). Raw is made up of meat (normally 60-80%), vegetables and ground bone. The poop excreted is hard, small and easier to pick up. Owners of bigger dogs would definitely benefit from changing. Also remember all that poop you see on the street/pavement/park is your money! Have a look… Read more »