My husband, Jake, recently sprang a surprise on me – a schedule designed to help me “improve” as a wife. Instead of reacting with anger, I saw an opportunity to teach him a valuable lesson.
Jake’s newfound enthusiasm for traditional gender roles was inspired by his coworker Steve, who believes wives should prioritize household chores and appearance.
As Jake began to echo these sentiments, I knew it was time to address the issue.
The schedule he presented was outrageous, expecting me to wake up at 5 a.m., cook gourmet meals, and maintain a flawless appearance.
I was taken aback by the blatant sexism, but I chose not to confront him directly.
Instead, I crafted a clever response – a schedule for Jake to become the “best husband ever.” This list included pricey personal training sessions, organic groceries, and a hefty salary increase to compensate for the income I’d lose if I quit my job to meet his expectations.
When Jake saw the list, his expression changed from excitement to shock. He realized the absurdity of his demands and the value of our equal partnership.
We tore up the schedules together, reminded that a successful marriage is built on mutual respect, trust, and teamwork – not unrealistic expectations.
