Some time ago Laura asked me to contribute something to her blog. And like any good husband I procrastinated, delayed, and invented implausible excuses. Years have since passed. Thankfully, Laura is less patient about other requests, otherwise dishes might be stacked to the ceiling, the floor might be covered in cheerios and we would have almost no clean clothes.
Okay, those latter three are still our reality. However I always shovel the snow promptly.
So what ought a husband who hasn’t made time to contribute to his wife’s blog in 3 years write about? It strikes me that the answer is rather obvious: making time.
I direct this not to the Tardis-hopping whovians (a sci-fi reference likely lost on most of this mommy-centric audience), but to the parents out there. For those of us without the luxury of Kardashian sized budgets, balancing all our personal interests, along with the little ones who perhaps interest us most, minus two nannies and maid, is a near-impossible feat. If your little ones are like my little ones, then after finally tucking those little bundles of energy, love, and joy into bed at night, there is nothing I want more than to sit on my Kardashian-size butt and watch a time-travelling man in a telephone booth.
But here’s the thing. If you’ve got a partner, then these precious hours between when the kids hit the sack, to when you do, provides us all with the very slimmest slivers of space to be with your spouse. So I invite you…no I implore you, leave the dishes stacked high, forget about the cheerio mine-field and once or twice a week sit down next to your partner, tell them you love them, ask about their day, and maybe make a special effort to be interested in them and their interests. That’s what I chose to do tonight. And that’s why after a mere 3 years, I managed to contribute to my wife’s blog. Okay…not a stellar track record.
Did I mention I always shovel snow promptly?
Never underestimate prompt snow shoveling. :)
Laura is a lucky, lucky woman.
Alison recently posted..Through The Lens Thursday #11: Dark
Great advice to husbands everywhere! I’m pretty sure it will take my husband a few years to contribute to my blog as well. Laura is indeed a lucky woman.
Laura Snow recently posted..The Top 10 Rides for Tweens at Walt Disney World
The important thing is that you did what you said you would do. Yay, Dan!
Also, we have a TARDIS cookie jar that currently is *much* bigger on the inside as it has zero cookies in it at the moment. :)
Hmmm… I know what the Things and I are doing today!
Peady recently posted..March Breakin’!
Don’t think just because we’re mommies that we don’t know about Dr. Who mister!
GREAT advice, and you should listen to Laura more often. This is a great post. ;)
Jennifer recently posted..Cheesy Hash Browns are the Perfect Compliment to Breakfast for Dinner
Dan’s word-view of Mommies is shaped by me. And I don’t watch Doctor Who (yet). Though, I just finished the available episodes of Scandal on Netflix, so I am looking for a new show…
Jennifer, I’m going to call on you from time to time to just send a message to Dan that says “Don’t forget that you should listen to Laura more often.” ;)
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..What Marriage, Doctor Who, and the Kardashians Have in Common
I think you’d enjoy Doctor Who, you should give it a try.
I love this!! Definitely true that you need to spend some downtime together once or twice a week :) Brian is also really good at promptly shoveling snow…and we all know the men have had some practice with that this winter! ;)
Heather H recently posted..Currently…
Great advice, and I think this post made up for procrastinating for three years :) – just don’t wait that long until the next post… (I think snow shoveling season is pretty much over, so no excuses!)
Kerstin @ Auer Life recently posted..Watching Paint Dry
That pretty much sums it up here too. My post-bedtime routine goes like this: Go downstairs to kitchen. Get bowl of ice cream. Watch at least 2 Doctor Who episodes (I’m on my second run-through of seasons 1-7 on netflix). Go to bed.
The good news is that my husband likes the Doctor as much as I do, (well, maybe not as MUCH as I do…) so we watch it together.
Good advice Dan. Sometimes the dishes can wait. Or if you are very, very lucky sometimes you can do them together and enjoy some conversation that follows and feel much less guilty about sitting down and enjoying Doctor Who afterwards.
Christopher D Drew recently posted..Excuses Not To Go To The Gym According To The Time Of Day
This mom totally gets the Whovian stuff. I have wished for a TARDIS or at least temporary Time Lord capabilities since becoming a mom – especially with those dishes. (BTW, Doctor Who is really good, Laura!)
And making that time to connect is so important – great advice, Dan! :)
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..Old School Blogging – Random Questions
If you contribute one more time, Dan, then that’s twice. And in my marriage, Twice is Always. As in “I ALWAYS contribute to Laura’s blog.” Which definitely earns you BHE. Best Husband Ever status. Way to go!
Uh Oh. I fear that he may have already received the BHE status already then. This is actually his SECOND time contributing (though he likely forgot about the first, which is found here: http://www.mommy-miracles.com/2012/11/murky-green-liquid-and-online-love.html). I best not tell him that you’ve bestowed this honour upon him though, or else I will DEFINITELY hear about it later!
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..What Marriage, Doctor Who, and the Kardashians Have in Common
BHE status secure.
I had totally forgot about that post from 2012. I rock.
Dan! I already feel like I know you from seeing your pictures and talking to Laura (don’t worry….it’s always positive), so it’s nice to see you here. :) And you’d be surprised how many mommies get the Who references. And you’re absolutely right…there is so little time at the end of the day that it’s important to spend it reconnecting with your spouse. I need to remember this.
It’s weird that I’m picturing you with a Kim Kardashian butt, isn’t it?
Great point, Dan. I’m going to put down my laptop tonight and hang out with my husband, too!
Kristin Shaw recently posted..I Surrender
Bravo Dan! We love hearing from you if that gives you any added incentive, apart from obviously being eager to please your wife. ;-)
Lady Jennie recently posted..A Story In Which I Identify With Martha
I see your Doctor Who (who?) and raise you one Downton Abbey. ;)
Also, what you say here is so true. That time is much better used talking to your love than doing dishes!
Elaine A. recently posted..Old School Blogging, Random is Back!
Both parties in a marriage know how to reconnect. The hard part is actually doing it!
Thanks for your insight, Dan! I will remember that my husband doesn’t mind if I leave the dishes and snuggle with him once in a while.
Of course, I might remember more often if he helps me with the dishes later. :)
Andrea recently posted..Plugged In
I immediately looked for a “Like” button to like your comment, Andrea. :)
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