How Can I Encourage My Husband to Help Around the House?
It seems like the pile of dishes in the sink and the laundry in the hamper doesn't get any smaller. You wash them all day and the pile gets bigger and bigger. Then, it hits you. When was the last time your husband did a load of laundry? It may take a little effort on your part, but your husband can begin to help around the house.
Many times, husbands don't realize you need help, unless you ask. The biggest problem with many couples is that both people don't always see the same mess. Try making a honey-do list and let him know when you would like it to be completed. If you don't give him a timeline, he may put it off as long as possible.
If it feels like your husband just won't help around the house, talk to him about it. Tell him how it makes you feel when the brunt of the housework is left to you. Don't use a condescending tone of voice when talking to him, as he may shut down and ignore you. No one wants to be talked to like a child.
Consider what your husband does do to help around the house. Many times, when the going gets tough, a person only sees what needs to be done. Often times, what the husband has done to help goes unnoticed. Take a moment to reflect on what he did that week to help you and take it into consideration. He may have done yard work, changed the oil on the car, taken out the trash, or vacuumed.
Make sure your expectations aren't too high. Husbands often work a lot and can't really help around the house as much as their wives want them to. If he comes home exhausted after a long hard day, helping around the house may not be an option. Consider the extra income he is bringing home when you get frustrated.
If you really feel that your husband isn't pulling his fair share of work around the house, then he needs to know. Try writing it down, if you have trouble explaining it to him verbally. Let him know that you are serious about things needing to change. Let him know exactly what is expected of him, so he doesn't have to try to read your mind.
Most husbands really are good guys who just don't realize their wives need help around the house. Maybe the wives look like they have it under control or the house just doesn't look like it needs to be cleaned. Whatever the reason, they need to help around the house, as they help dirty it. It may just take a little nudging on your part.
Written by Nychole Price
