Getting up…

Every Friday since I realized I was a pretty crappy husband I’ve reflected about how fun and rewarding weekends are and what I need to do to be sure that I will continue to be a better and better husband.

But weekends are also really tough, particularly with two young kids.  There’s play time, nap time, clean-up time, fun time, meal times, bed time, bath time, I can’t sleep time, diaper time, Mommy time, Daddy time, and a whole lot of other time.  And don’t forget errands!

Juggling all of these things is really tough.  Making sure I’m carrying my weight and being a good husband to my wife with all of these things going on is also really tough.

But it’s also really simple.  

For me, it’s as simple as “getting up.”  

If I see something on the floor, I get up and pick it up.

If she’s emptying the dishwasher, I get up and help.

If the kids want to play, I get up and play, dance, sing or scream with them.**

That stuff is really simple.  But it’s tough.

It’s tough because I’m often tired and I desperately want to rest and accomplish a few “me things” over the weekend, too.

Before I realized I was messing up all the little things, I’d sometimes let myself fall into a trap of being selfish and lazy.

It wasn’t a big deal, apparently.  My wife said she understood most of the time, but was often frustrated and tired herself.

So my laziness was at least a “little deal.”

And while “big deals” make a “big difference” in the “big picture,” the “little deals” make a “big difference” between a “good day” and a “bad day.”  (Like the excessive quotes there?  They were on sale, so I got a dozen…)

I realized my biggest downfall was not getting up.  Once I was up I helped quite a bit.  But once my butt hit the couch I was useless.

So I started just getting up.  I’d get up and help.  If I saw my wife doing something in the kitchen, I’d get up and help.

If I smelled something “stinky” as my daughter ran by, I’d get up.

Even if I was tired.

Really tired.

I wouldn’t say anything.  I wouldn’t look to see if my wife was watching or giving me “credit” for helping out.  I just got up.

And guess what?  I didn’t die.

The results were incredible and immediate.

My wife got less frustrated with me.

Which resulted in fewer arguments.

Which resulted in less stress.

And more energy.

And a better day.

A better day-to-day.

And a better marriage.

All because I decided to be a better husband.

By just getting up.

What little thing are you going to work on this weekend?

**If you’re thinking about borrowing my “dance contest” or “scream fest” idea for kids activities, be sure to check with your wife before hand.  While they are a hit with the kids and easy for you because you’re participating and expecting it, your wife might staple your tongue to a burning building without prior written consent… 🙂  #YesILearnedThisTheHardWay #ApparentlyNothingGetsByMe…