Whether you're newly engaged or have been together for years, you're probably fighting a domestic battle of the sexes. Here are some tips to help you win -- or at the very least, lose gracefully. "His" tips were written by my husband as advice to men. "Hers" were written by me as advice to women. Be sure to add your own.
Hers:
1. Give up the remote control. Eventually, he'll fall asleep and you can watch whatever you want.
2. Let him fall asleep on the couch while you read in the bedroom. The distance will muffle his snoring.
3. When you discover you're talking too much about dental work and retirement accounts, get a babysitter and go somewhere expensive for dinner.
4. Let him finish his sentence before you start your monologue.
5. Send him to Home Depot while you browse at Borders.
6. Switch chores every once in a while. Try mowing the lawn, then watching the game with a cold beer afterwards. It's not as easy as it looks.
7. Take control of his hair, including the stuff in his ears, nose, and on his face. It may be his body, but it's not his right to choose.
8. Don't remind him of how he used to look unless you want to be reminded.
9. Even God rested on the 7th day, shouldn't your husband? Take the weekend off, or at least let him.
10. Say "I love you" and give him a kiss whenever you say goodbye.
His:
1. Don't ask how she feels about something unless you really want to know.
2. At least twice a month, pretend you are still dating.
3. Treat her like a friend, not a relative.
4. She doesn't need to hear how nice her best friend looks. (And by the way, no need to mention the threesome thing, it ain't gonna happen.)
5. Never ask, "Is it that time of the month?" Especially when it is.
6. Being open and honest doesn't mean telling each other everything, especially when you're at a party and her tuna casserole is the worst potluck dish there.
7. Cleaning the house requires more than picking your socks up off the floor.
8. Listen.
9. Write her a poem, but not a limerick.
10. Tattoo your anniversary and her birthday to your body and keep a backup gift somewhere, in case you forget anyway.
A slightly different version of this piece will be published as my LifeFiles column.
I would like to add to Hers: #1. Give up the remote control. Eventually, he'll fall asleep and you can watch whatever you want but be sure and have the wench ready so that you can roll him off the remote after he is asleep. :)
My hubby does that all the time and it drives me nuts.
Posted by: sonia | September 17, 2003 at 09:38 PM