How to get your husband to do anything!!

My husband has been telling me for years that men are simple creatures. All they need is good loving and good food in that order. They will almost always take loving over food. And if you give good loving you can often get out of making good food and sometimes even cleaning stuff.

Anyway, if you want him to do something, just ask him directly -- will you take out the garbage? will you change the light bulb in the bathroom? Will you bring up that heavy bucket of wheat from the fruit room?

You only ask him only once and don't expect him to do it right away. Never bring it up again. (But if he sees you struggle with the trash, it's O.K. to look a little pathetic because men like to rescue their woman and he will probably take the trash from you and do it for you). Never expect him to take a hint like the bathroom light is burned out.... He will only think you find it interesting. You have to ask him directly or he may not realize you want him to do something for you.

Once you ask correctly without repeating which he may consider nagging, he may grumble a little bit, but he will do it. He will grumble less the least amount of times you ask him to do something.

Then the big trick, my husband tells me and it seems to work for him is to reward that good behaviour. When your husband does something for you that you really appreciate or are just glad he did it, then give him a kiss and a hug and say thank you and tell him how big and strong he is and how appreciative you are of his hard work or help. Then he might start looking for projects to do especially if he thinks he might get a reward of ????-you fill in the blank.

Also, another thing to remember is that when he helps, you have to let him help his way. He won't want to do it your way. Remember beggars can't be choosers, and you should be thankful that that was one less dish you had to rinse even if the counters and pots are left untouched. But if it is really important to you, then refer back to the previous paragraphs and reward that good behaviour, maybe he'll even mop the kitchen floor if there's a great reward of loving and appreciation waiting for him. Husbands like to make their wives happy and they like to rescue them.

I think husbands really are simple creatures!!