I consider myself fortunate to be married to a fantastic father. Not only does this benefit me, but it also greatly impacts our kids, as he’s likely to outlive me. Curious about why? Here are some insights.
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He Doesn’t Accumulate Clutter
My children are relentless in their quest to hand me an assortment of items: half-eaten lollipops, tiny trinkets from questionable places like Chuck E. Cheese, and my daughter’s latest obsession with rubber bands she discovers outdoors. This constant barrage of items contributes to my perpetual struggle with colds, despite my vitamin C intake. My doctor even noted that I was the only patient over age five diagnosed with double pink eye in 2013. -
He’s Selectively Hearing
While he isn’t truly deaf, he’s mastered the art of selective hearing. When the kids yell for “Mom,” it’s usually me who responds. As a result, our children have learned to call for me, allowing him to avoid the insanity of the frequent “DAD” calls. I can already envision myself as the elderly woman at the bus stop, muttering variations of “MomMomMom” to myself. -
He Sleeps Like a Log
This might be tied to his selective hearing. I’m awake every time a child coughs, sighs, or makes any noise, even from another floor. My husband, on the other hand, sleeps soundly, confident that I’ll handle everything from requests for extra blankets to emergency situations—like the time I had to wake him to inform him that I was taking our son to the ER due to severe jaw pain. The saying should be “sleeping like a father,” not “sleeping like a baby.” -
I’m the Go-To Contact for School
As the primary emergency contact at school, I receive all calls, ranging from mundane inquiries about pick-up or bus arrangements to the dreaded messages from the school nurse. Whenever that number appears on my phone, I feel a spike in anxiety and the urge to seek medical help. -
He Outsmarted Me in Parenting Duties
Somehow, I ended up with the unenviable tasks of applying sunscreen, clipping nails, and overseeing thank-you notes. The tears these responsibilities have generated could fill an ocean—and the kids aren’t fans either. -
He Trusts the Kids’ Independence
He understands that our children have opposable thumbs and can reach most surfaces in the kitchen. He knows they can make themselves a sandwich if they’re hungry, will eventually brush their teeth, and can wait a few minutes for assistance with finding remote batteries. This contrasts sharply with my tendency to micromanage their lives. It’s a skill I admire in him and desperately need to adopt to increase my own longevity.
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In summary, my husband’s ability to avoid stress, manage his sleep, and allow our kids some independence gives him a significant advantage when it comes to longevity. If I could adopt some of these traits, I might just avoid becoming the eccentric old lady at the bus stop.