Yesterday we looked at the issue of husbands and selective hearing. So what can we do about it, short of changing our men and trading them in for a newer model, which I admit is not something I’d ever consider.
Firstly make sure what we want to tell them is something they’re likely to want to hear. For example if I talk about football, and I do, I know my husband will be interested. If I tell him about some new moisturizer, I’m sure I’d see his eyes glaze over. That’s a conversation better had with a female friend. Although he has been on the receiving end recently of my whine about my two favorite Body Shop oils being discontinued. But he also understands this is a big issue for me as they are the only two fragrances I ever wear. Of course if I kept on talking about it, I’m sure he’ stop listening.
Pick the right time to talk to them about anything you really want them to listen to. That means not when they’re flying out the door late for a meeting, not usually when they’ve just come in the door after work, and not when they in bed and wanting to go to sleep. Us women are good at that one of wanting to chat when men want to sleep. Even if he does manage to stay awake, he probably won’t remember a word of the conversation in the morning. Not when he is watching TV either, especially if it’s his favorite show.
Time while washing and wiping up is a good chat time as it doesn’t require any concentration on the job at hand. Mick and I chat while driving too, but not when caught up in busy city traffic. However it does make the journey go quicker when we are travelling along a long straight highway. Just make sure he’s not listening to the news at the time. Another no go area is when he is reading the paper or a book. I have to admit to being guilty on that one.
In other words choose a time when you are both relaxed and not otherwise engaged for best results.
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