Unemployed Husband

Kris’ Take: So you go to work all day, and you come home to see your husband sitting on the couch, flipping through channels, and he didn’t really do anything around the house. If this sounds familiar then you’re not alone according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. 6.5% of marriages in the United States are in a similar situation. There are advantages to one spouse staying home like keeping watch of the kids, or just keeping the house and yard nice and tidy, but you’re not reading this because of that. You’re probably reading this because the husband isn’t doing any of those things.

There has been a paradigm shift since women’s rights and suffrage, and many women don’t like it. I see searches for it all the time, but what can women do? Like any other problem you should sit down and talk about it. But before you do that, you need to find out what is really bothering you about it. Do you feel stressed, like the full work load is on you? Does it make you angry that ‘lazy bones’ gets to rest all day? Are you barely making your bills, or falling behind? Do you feel that it’s the man’s responsibility to go to work and for you to take are of the homefront? Are you annoyed that he’s not getting enough done around the house? This is important to consider because as soon as you sit down and let him know that you don’t like him working, he’s probably going to ask you why.

I’ve always been hugely motivated, and I don’t know many guys who could just sit at home while their wife brought in the income. But, if this is the guy you’ve got, then you’re going to need to work with it. If you’re falling behind in bills then that should be motivation enough, be honest with the financial climate of the household. If you’re just unhappy with the situation then that should be motivation enough for him to want to step up and help out in the marriage. If he doesn’t want to get a job, then you need to find out why. This situation can get so complicated so quickly because there are a lot of reasons that a man may not want to work. Some might include that he feels he doesn’t need to work because you make enough money, or that he feels he does enough around the house, or maybe he’s just completely lazy. Whatever the reason is; if it puts a strain on the marriage or your mental health, I would suggest seeking out a marriage counselor.

Gift Ideas for Men

Related Articles:
The Fishing Man Gift Ideas
The Grilling Man Gift Ideas

Kris’ Take:  Women always want to know what to get their man for holidays, I’ll do the best I can to provide some general ideas that may help you out.  You’ll have to gauge your guy to make sure these fit with his personality or career, but I think this will be a decent start:

  • A nice watch (Laura got me a very nice one and I loved it!)
  • A new briefcase (This is better for businessmen so get this if it’s needed, or if it’s better than the one he has.)
  • A nice suit (Men like looking good for their women, so if you had him a suit that you say is hot, he’ll probably like it.)
  • A better phone (These have become integral to businessmen)
  • New shoes (I wear my shoes until the sole is gone, Laura doesn’t let this happen to me anymore.)
  • A nice wallet (Nothing worse then a businessman busting out his gray nylon wallet with blue trim.)
  • Cologne (This is kind of a last ditch effort unless the guy doesn’t shut up about it.  Laura had to skew the truth for a whole year about a cologne I liked.  She kept telling me she didn’t like it so I wouldn’t buy it so she could get it for me.  She actually loves the stuff.)
  • Something from one of his hobbies or (I hate using this idea, but it’s safer if you’re unsure of what to get) a gift certificate to one of his favorite hobby stores.
  • If he needs or uses tools a lot you can speak with a home improvements store employee about what tools are nice for his trade.  They can make recommendations on things that can make the job easier, or just upgrade what he already has. (Be sure to keep receipts just in case.)
  • Things for his vehicle like satellite radio, GPS, or various decorations to enhance the look.  (Men typically like their vehicles a lot, and getting things to enhance the ride or make it look nicer are usually a pretty safe bet.)
  • A sentimental gift like a picture frame with your names engraved (As long as your man doesn’t smash beer cans on his head.  Laura did this for me and it sits upon my desk, I really like it.)
  • A vacation. (A little more pricey but fun for you both!)

Those are my ideas for now.  As I think of more I’ll be sure to add them, and if you have any ideas or ones that really worked out well leave them as a comment and I’ll add those too.

Car of the month: Men want Lamborghini

Kris’ take: Even you have to admit, this is a sweet ride? Don’t you want to be in the passenger seat right next to me? The wind blowing through your hair. I’d get in trouble if I owned this! This is what men want.

Laura’s Take: I would soooo want to be in that passenger seat next to you honey! That car is pretty sexy and I think we should get one… (if we win the lotto that is)

Men want to be treated like men

Kris’ Take:  Seriously, men want to be treated like men.  We’re tough, we’re stong, we’re like bears.  We like BBQ food and fast cars.  We like to hold the remote control.  So every once in a while can you let us open up your drink, or can you pretend to be scared of the ant so that we can play our role and save the day?  I don’t ask for much, I just don’t want all of this manliness to go to waste.

Scrimping and Saving

Kris’ Take: We’re young, but we’d really like to own a house. Bills plus dating can really take a bite out of that idea though. A date here, a date there, car payment here, phone bill there. It all adds up. What do you think? Simple Dinner and a movie and you’ve spent $50.00 easily. Only once a week and that’s $200.00 a month! But if you don’t do anything then boredom will take over, and we’ve all been at the “what do you want to do? No, What do YOU want to do?” junction? Honey, what do you think?

Laura’s Take: Well Sweety, it’s a tough one. I love being pampered like the princess I am, however I don’t want to live in a trailer either. Saving up for a house is definitely a priority for any serious couple so always keep that in mind when you’re on our way to Bonefish Grill. There’s tons of great, really inexpensive date ideas out there. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a nice time. I know I like making up a picnic basket and taking it to the park. Have movie night at home, play some board games, make each other a romantic dinner, but whatever you do, don’t let the relationship get boring!