I Married A Workaholic: Part Three

This is the third post in the series. To read the entire series, click here. 

Tip #3: Embrace the unconventional

Re-think your menu planning.

As I mentioned before, I have spent some frustrating evenings trying to keep supper warm and edible while waiting for my husband to get home from work. Been there? I have to remember that my husband’s job isn’t like my neat and tidy 8-5 where the lights turn off at 5:01 and we all go home! I’ve had to give up my expectation of sitting down to supper together every evening at the same time. Some evenings I can hang on till 9PM….other nights not so much! 🙂 I’ve learned that the hungrier I get, the crankier I get. It serves us both better if I go ahead and eat without him. It does take more time out of my evening to serve the same meal twice, but it’s worth it to me. There’s always something that needs to be done, but I make myself stop and sit down with my husband while he eats. It’s a great chance for conversation. If you have children, I’d encourage you to gather them around the table (perhaps with dessert or a snack) while Dad eats.

Here are some recipes that re-heat well:

• Stuffed Pizza Rolls
• Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole
• Mini Meatloaves
• Cheeseburger Soup
• Simply Delicious Chicken & Rice Soup

Take advantage of his free time.

If your husband arrives home late at night, make sure he arrives to a pleasant atmosphere. I’m always glad I waited up for my husband, even if it’s just so I can see him for a few minutes. My husband makes many sacrifices while working his crazy schedule, surely I can miss a few minutes of sleep in order to spend time with him. There are other nuggets of time you can take advantage of, if you think outside the box. Get up early and eat breakfast together, meet for lunch or coffee, or stop by his office on his break for a quick chat. I know this can be challenging if you have children! I have a friend whose husband worked long hours to enable her to stay home with their son. They often had candle light dates in their living room after their son was asleep.

Don’t compare your marriage with other marriages.

This is probably the most important piece in the “I married a workaholic” solution. You’ve heard the old quote, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Even more, God’s Word reminds us to be content with our circumstances. It can be easy to be discontented with all the Facebook uploads of our friends having fun as a couple, while we spend time alone (whether literally alone or taking care of the kids alone). When we voice our discontentment as wives, we risk discouraging our husbands and taking away the pride they find in their work as men. Ask the Lord for help as you seek to keep your heart content and thankful for the hard working husband He gave you!

Thanks for allowing me to share my heart in this series! I have a long way to go, and writing these posts has been a good reminder to me of some areas that need work. Here’s to loving and supporting our men!