Do all men need praise when they do yard work?

[tiggerlover]

Every week DH works on the yard, he trims, he mows and makes the yard look nice. Every week I clean the house, do the laundry, cook the dinner and make the house nice. Every week DH says, so doesn't the yard look great? I worked so hard on it, boy what a job that is. Why every week does he need to ask that, when he knows it looks great. Do I ever say honey, does the house look clean, wow, didn't I do a great job folding laundry or boy I sure cooked a good one tonight.....no, I don't. So why does DH feel the need to ask about the yard every single week? Is it a guy thing or is it just my DH?

 

[MELSMICE]

Oh, it's definitely a guy thing. My DH is the same way.

I posted a few years ago about coming home on every Saturday after a long day at my dance studio. Every week he would list how many things he did that day - "honey, I swept the garage, I cut the lawn, I folded the towels, I took our the garbage.........."

I used to get so annoyed because I never list the things that I do in a day - they just get done. I used to get annoyed on Saturday, now I just turn & roll my eyes as I'm walking away!

It's a guy thing, for sure!

 

[SwedishMeatball]

It's a guy thing.

 

[Galahad]

I think it might depend on how hyper-critical their wives are otherwise, IMO. I read a piece about a study done in the last year or two that stated that rather than infidelity, finances, etc, the most common reason for a man to want out of a marriage is his wife's criticism,etc. Just look at how many "my husband's an idiot" threads are on the DIS.

 

[HeatherinNC]

My DH is the SAME way. He acts all hurt if I don't comment on how the yard looks. He NEVER praises my housework!!

 

[anewvance]

It's amazing if I can even GET my dh to do yard work... seriously true!

 

[Pop Daddy]

I need praise for everything,

 

[cardaway]

Just look at how many "my husband's an idiot" threads are on the DIS.

I know.

 

[eddad]

Yes we do!

 

[daisyduck123]

So why does DH feel the need to ask about the yard every single week? Is it a guy thing or is it just my DH?

Once my DH starts DOING our yard work on a regular basis, I'll let you know!!

 

[tiggerlover]

Just look at how many "my husband's an idiot" threads are on the DIS.

I guess I pass over those threads, I never noticed. I would never say my DH is an idiot! I think he does a great job with the things he does around the house, it just cracks me up that every week he is looking for that validation. I did say to him yesterday when he said it, yet again, that the yard looked wonderful and doesn't the inside of the house look great too! He got a chuckle out of that one.

Glad to see that my DH isn't the only one!

 

[Cantw8]

I get what you're saying but if he really did a good job does a little praise hurt even if you didn't get any? Just goes to show we are the better sex

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Is it a guy thing?

You would think DH just gave birth with his carrying on over the yard!

 

[FayeW]

Not only do they need praise and validation for everyday chores, they also need you to drop what you are doing and come and help them IMMEDIATELY, because whatever they are doing is clearly more important than anything that you are doing! So what if the dinner is burned, come and hand me that hammer, woman!

My husband does lots around the house, but he always seems to need my help. It's my pet peeve. (Well, that, and leaving the electric knife plugged in every single time he has used it in our 16 years of marriage, but that's another thread~ the kids don't need all of those limbs anyway!)

 

[gallaj0]

Switch chores for a week, and see if he's relieved, or still needs the praise.

Maybe you'd like the yardwork, and he'd appreciate doing laundry more.

Always walk a mile in someone else's shoes.

 

[Honu]

If I walked around making public announcements about each chore I complete, I would have no voice. That's what someone around here does though.

 

[tnkbl]

Yes, they are just like children!

 

[Free4Life11]

No all men don't. Why not just give him praise anyways? Be the bigger person so the speak, it's clear many women already think they are.

 

[PeterPanette]

My husband wants praise for pulling into a parking space straight! Seriously. He'll say, "Look at that! Huh? Huh? Look how even we are!"

But, as my very wise grandmother used to tell me, "Men just wanna be loved on. That's all it takes to make them happy." I once read this theory that stated women fall in love with how a man acts. But men fall in love with a woman for how she makes him feel about himself. I've always found this to be very true.

A little praise goes a long way. (At least, it works on my hubby!)

 

[minkydog]

I don't get it. Would it kill you to give him the praise he desires Isn't that what we're supposed to do?

My DH proudly tells me he mulched the cucumbers or he fixed the fence, jobs which must be done and I hate them. I praise him to high heavens for doing them. On the other hand, I *do* point out when I cleaned the kitchen floor or made a delicious meal because I like praise, too, and sometimes DH doesn't realize I've done something special. He's not really clueless, but his focus isn't necessarily on laundry and housework. We each have our strengths and we like to be lauded when we do something well. We are each other's best cheerleaders

I hope there never comes another day when your DH has to ask you for a little praise.