Encouraging Men to Engage

For so long, I have been told that men need positive reinforcement in order to help around the house and with the children. Want him to help more?

Praise him for taking out the trash!

Thank him for putting his dish in the sink!

Leave him sweet notes thanking him for spending time playing with the kids!

First of all, this is manipulation. Women shouldn’t be using praise to get men to do things. Secondly, I don’t want to force my husband to help. I want my man to be so committed to the family that he helps because he is part of it.

Do I want to clean? Not particularly. It isn’t my thing. I wait until the bathroom REALLY needs cleaning before tending to it. Are kids really annoying sometimes? You betcha. So, do I get not wanting to help after a day at work? Absolutely. Does that mean that you never have to engage? Nope.

Being part of a family means doing your share of the good, the bad, and everything in between. Guys, we want you there. That’s why we married you. Be present, be helpful, be happy. Put your phone away, turn the game off.

Let’s stop encouraging women to manipulate their husbands into doing their share, and let’s encourage men to fully engage in their home life. 

Stacy Wilson
Stacy is married to John, and mother to four girls, all ages 6 and under. They are a foster family and are passionate about serving children and families in need. Stacy has a Master's Degree in Education from LSU, but has chosen to take a break from teaching in the classroom to work part-time, while focusing on family.

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