ves are. We should always keep our eyes and ears open for any signs of mounting pressures that wives, especially, are called to endure. We find these titans of domestic gymnastics, overcoming endless obstacles day in and day out. For the newlywed, it may appear very easy to become a wife, blissfully in love with her man. Very few cares bind her down. Her life is simple, she may have a job, she may come home do some cooking or light cleaning to make the house presentable for company. She may run to the local gym to enhance her physical appearance (wanting to keep her man continuously interested). She may be in charge of the finances, or enrolled in school, or engaged in several pursuits that seems at this stage to be a minor feat. Now fast forward a few years, and compound all of life's little intricacies. This lovely wife is also a needed mother, with "x" amount of mouths to feed, bottoms to wipe, backs to clothe, and attentions to capture, and minds to cultivate. She is the key source for education, whether the children go to school or not, she will be the motivating force behind how and what they will learn. Her needs for some time to herself, what ever her pursuits are, (reading, hiking, watching a show uninterrupted....) or her needs for some rest and relaxation, or even for adult conversation must all take a back seat to the needs of her children. Too many times the needs of her husband are imposed on her because of his lack of sensitivity to her desires. (IE... He gets home from work and wants to run off to other activities, or lay in front of a TV and watch the latest sports game without being bothered.) It is known that when children are brought into this world, those responsible will have a life changing commitment to sacrifice self for the greater good of their posterity. But their is no reason that our wives should have to go it alone, God only knows that they didn't go it alone to bring them into this world!We as husbands and fathers ought to relieve the burdens that are caused by daily rituals of child-rearing. (And a good man should be able to do this without being asked to....are you a good man?) Let us seek opportunity to take the children with us on our errands. Let us tend to our own children (which is our responsibility as well) when our wives have activities they would not be able to attend if they were fettered with offspring. Take the time to just voice our gratitude for all the endless hours devoted by our wives. I know what many of you men are thinking, "I work my butt off to put food on the table, I have endless hours and all I ask is that the house be clean, the children bathed and food ready on the table." Well you're a man, so suck it up. When is the last time you saw a manly movie were the hero said "I cant save the day, I have been shot 4 times, I've been running on screen non-stop for two hours, and did you see me get thrown from the truck...ouch? Can't someone else save the day who hasn't been through so much?" I don't think that protagonist would earn much respect in the realm of real men. I know we are all so busy and it seems to never end, but if you think your wife doesn't feel the same way just because she stays at home you are sadly mistaken. (if she is employed on top of all her other duties, you should be groveling at the chance to help her.)
"Your mission, should you choose to accept it" is to compliment your wife on a job well done. (and if you think there is nothing worth complimenting then you need more help than I can offer). Next, is to find a way to let your wife have some time to do those things she really would like to do but can't. Lastly, don't look for the quid pro quo when you have completed the first two. If you do these things (and your wife is in the normal woman category) you will see her willingness to help meet your needs as well. Remember a marriage is never 50/50, one side at any given time will always have to contribute more. Now it is our time to step up and give.
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