Tips for Becoming a Better Husband
Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Sewell used only 1 bat in his 14-year career and struck out only 114 times in 7,132 attempts. He never was convinced that a newer, more sophisticated bat would improve his play. When he was in a slump, rather than blaming his equipment, he took extra batting practice and focused on his swinging mechanics. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if more people had that same philosophy towards marriage?
When things go sour, rather than looking to get a new replacement right away, we instead would focus on what we can control – how we can improve our relational mechanics. How can we be more patient towards our wife? More thoughtful? More loving? You can’t control your wife’s actions, but work on you and trust the rest will take care of itself. Here are 10 tips for becoming a better husband.
When things go sour, rather than looking to get a new replacement right away, we instead would focus on what we can control – how we can improve our relational mechanics. How can we be more patient towards our wife? More thoughtful? More loving? You can’t control your wife’s actions, but work on you and trust the rest will take care of itself. Here are 10 tips for becoming a better husband.
1. Every day, aim one “random act of kindness” at your spouse.
Plan for it, write down what you’re going to do, then check the deed off once it’s done. Odds are, being deliberate in this way will lead naturally to more.
2. Talk openly about your finances.
Money surprises are never good, so stay a few steps ahead and include your wife in an ongoing conversation about the budget. This does not mean monitoring her spending. It does mean that you don’t keep secrets, you value her input, and you make important decisions as a team.
3. Make the effort to find out more about your wife.
– Do you know her clothing sizes? Could you surprise her with an entire outfit? (Outer garments and Under garments)
– What books did she read last year/is she reading now? And why?
- Where are her erogenous zones? What feels good to her?
– What are her dream where her significant God given purpose is concerned?
– What books did she read last year/is she reading now? And why?
- Where are her erogenous zones? What feels good to her?
– What are her dream where her significant God given purpose is concerned?
4. Try some creative/imaginative ways to tell your wife how much you love her.
Don’t assume she knows. Even if she does know, hearing it from you will spark the fire. Before long you’ll realize that you love her more. Here are some tips:
– Slip a card or love note into her purse at the beginning of the day.
– Figure obscure anniversaries (first date, engagement day, the day we moved into our first house, etc.) make a big deal of celebrating.
– Leave loving voicemails when you know she’s not going to be there.
– Make the bed and put a single rose on her pillow.
– Run a bubble bath for her and keep the house interruption-free while she enjoys it.
– Color a gaudy sign and put it on the windshield of her car.
– Slip a card or love note into her purse at the beginning of the day.
– Figure obscure anniversaries (first date, engagement day, the day we moved into our first house, etc.) make a big deal of celebrating.
– Leave loving voicemails when you know she’s not going to be there.
– Make the bed and put a single rose on her pillow.
– Run a bubble bath for her and keep the house interruption-free while she enjoys it.
– Color a gaudy sign and put it on the windshield of her car.
5. Be deliberate about being positive.
Take a look at your interactions with your wife: What percentage are confrontational? How often are you fighting? Do you tell one another jokes? What’s the ratio of purely informational dialogue to talking that advances the relationship? Now make a concerted effort to initiate positive, intimate, redemptive conversations. Learn a new joke every day if you have to; the point is to be proactive, not reactive.
6. Confide in some friends.
Make sure they’re friends who are in a relationship with some “spark, passion, romance and sex appeal.” Ask for their support and encouragement.
7. List 3 things you’re most passionate about spending most of your time.
If your wife is not number one on that list, then consider what steps you might take to make sure she is.