The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands

So Katelynn is a little over a year old and I figured it was probably time to put my marriage up top on the priority list again. After having a baby their needs come first and foremost and they trump everybody (including yourself - this has been another hard lesson to learn, but that's for another post). I was browsing through some books at Walmart and came across this book "The Proper Care and Fedding of Husbands" by Dr. Laura Schlessinger - in brief it talked about how all woman want to be in love, get married, and lived happily ever after - I thought, wow, I really agree with that, maybe this will give me what I've been looking for and can make my life wonderful, so I spent the $11.84 (the walmart discount price!) and bought the book and took it home with me. For those who don't know Dr. Laura is a writer and also has a radio show that people can call into and she gives advice.
So interesting as this book has been (I haven't finished it all yet) I thought I would post a chapter a week on a brief summary of what Dr. Laura feels us women should be doing in our relationships/marriages and would love if people left comments on their thoughts. I have to say that while a lot of this makes sense there is still something that pulls me in a different thought pattern than she wants or says that we need to be as women. I hope that anyone reading these will have fun with it as well and view it at least as something interesting to think about.
Chapter 1 - The Improper Care and Feeding of Husbands

Edgar wrote to Dr. Laura:
"I laughed when I heard the title of your new book. I thought, It won't happen. What woman would buy it? Who cares about us men? There are a few good things that men want so badly they would do anything for it. I think a good number of men want respect more than love. They like to feel they have some power. I nearly cry when you tell a woman caller to respect her husband. There is so much selfishness in the world. Prosperity has allowed women to be so independent, and thus so selfish. I always feel as though I come last - my feelings come last, my needs come last."

Basically in the beginning of this chapter Dr. Laura is talking about woman and the double-standards that they give to men -

Example: When women expect their men to "understand" when they're not interested in sex, but when the men don't or can't perform - watch out!.

She states that this double-standard mentality is caused by self-centeredness. She believes this is a result of the "women's movement". She states that men are simple creatures and if you change certain aspects of your interactions, like magic you will see them change too. (Assume with the women's movement that there is a lot more man bashing and women clompaining about men together). She asks that woman behave "as if" things were lovely in the relationship: a call of affection during the day, a kiss at the door, a nice outfit when at home, a request for his opinion about something to do with the family, a comment of appreciation for something well done, a good meal, some alone time after work, and a cuddle (or more) at bedtime.
(Okay upon reading this list I know I was thinking "what the hell happened to my day, my alone time and my hug and why the heck do I have to make the meal and dang that's a hell of a list along with taking care of the children).

So one guy wrote in and said "whatever happened to my sweetness? If you act like a Bitch you will be treated like a bitch. He asked his wife once if she wanted something, as she was being unusually nice. She angrily said to him "I would never be nice to anyone to get them to do something for me" So, what was the alternative? Treat them like Shit? A man takes care of his woman and a woman should take care of her man, what a concept.

(Okay, so I have to say that I see where this guy in particular is coming from, and it makes sense).
She feels that the woman's movement has tought us woman: that society and men will oppress; they are the enemy; do not submit; terminate or dominate. She states again that men are simple creatures who come from a woman, are nurtured and brought up by a woman, and yearn for the continued love, admiration, and approval from a woman, it makes them vulnerable to their woman's moods, desires, tantrums, criticisms, dissappointments, dissatisfactions, angers, and rejections.
So that is the jist of chapter one: Men are simple creatures and if woman take care of their man they will be happier and have a better marriage.
Please feel free to leave comments on your thoughts or trials of this.

So, I thought after reading this chapter, okay, I think I could probably take on a couple of things on the list to start off with and see what happens.

So there is chapter one of "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands". Chapter 2 next week!