10 Steps to Being a Better Husband

Turn off the autopilot and start feeding your marriage.
By Craig Playstead

1) Take an interest in something your wife is really passionate about.

This is a tough one. She’s really passionate about babies and I’m doing my best to give her a 12th. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it… Grade B+

2) Put the kids to bed.

Nobody likes me putting the kids to bed. Not my wife, not me and certainly not the kids. It takes me less than 5 minutes. “Have you brushed your teeth and gone potty? Good now get in bed and don’t get out”. Done! Sam takes at least half an hour to do the job. She does all that nicey-nicey stuff like read bedtime stories, say prayers, make sure they have on clean pajamas etc…

So when we only had little kids I would do the dinner dishes and Sam would put the kids to bed. Now that we have older kids, Sam puts the kids to bed and the teens do the dishes and I goof off. When Sam is out for the evening, the older kids do the dishes and put the kids to bed and I goof off…it’s a great system. Grade D

3) Learn to apologize.

I’ll keep this in mind in case I’m ever wrong. Grade A+++

4) Thank her for putting up with you.

See #3 above. Actually I think I do this on occasion especially with my working out a lot. C+

5) Clean up after yourself.

This I do try and do. Actually both of us do. We have been on a de-cluttering kick the last few months. Our house is definitely losing weight. But with 11 kids it’s only going to get so clean. Bags and bags of stuff (clothes, toys etc…) have been leaving the house and going to various charities. Grade A-

6) Make time for just the two of you.

This we do. We were married on May 20th. So we try and go out on a date the 20th of every month. We also have ‘couch-time’ when I get home from work. 15 minutes alone in the nice living room to chat and catch up on the day. So we do ok for the amount of kids we have. Grade A-

7) Groom yourself.

Well I brush my teeth each morning, my underwear are usually clean unless we are behind on the laundry, I shower at least two times a day, and my blue jeans only get worn 2-3 days in a row. There is the stray nose and ear hair now that I've passed 40. Grade B

8) Get away from the family.

Oh this I do without a problem. Training for triathlon takes a whole lot of time away from the family. Grade A+

9) Deal with your side of the family.

Since I’m and only child and my parents aren’t a pain in the rear, this isn’t an issue. Grade A

10) Don't lose your dating manners.

I could do better on this one. I try and remember to open the car and other doors but sometimes I forget. I shall endeavor to do better. Grade C+

Tomorrow - the other side of the coin.

Honey, feel free to grade me.