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Many of us are guilty of taking men for
granted. Maybe they change a tire occasionally, clean out the gutters, cut the
grass, take out the trash, set a mouse trap and dispose of the mouse, help paint
a room, hang a shelf or just give us a break with the kids. And let's not forget
helping with the finances.
There are women out there who do all of these things for themselves, and I
applaud you. But honor your dads, husbands and significant others this Father's
Day.
I'm convinced that what men really want is a space that they can call their own.
It doesn't matter if it's just a corner of a room with a big easy chair, a
backyard oasis with a grill, a media room with all of the newest gadgets or a
workspace in the garage with an awesome workbench and tool kit.
Men just need a place in the home where they can relax.
Especially since the women and children have claimed most of the house for their
own.
We have taken over the kitchen with our gadgets and cookbooks, the bedroom with
our self-help books, throws and too many pillows. His side of the closet is
filled with our shoes and handbags.
But we still complain when he sneaks a car magazine or a National Geographic
into our stack of Home & Garden magazines in the bathroom. And let's not forget
the kids.
They have totally claimed the family room with their toys, games and homework.
Now you can see why Dad needs a room of his own.
So make this Father's Day special by creating a space for your father, husband
or significant other. Get the kids involved and make it a family project. But
remember you're only limited by your budget and your imagination.
Remember to never ask, how’s the date going. This sounds incredibly
insecure. Or even worse, why are you so quiet. This question is very annoying to
someone who is just naturally a very quiet person. There really is no way to
answer that question. How about, did I do anything wrong? There’s another gem of
a question that you probably don’t want the answer to. If these questions must
be asked then you can reasonably assume that the date is not going well.
Plan an active date. Look for an activity that you can both get into. Find out
what the other party likes to do for physically active fun. Something like
roller skating or ice-skating can be a great deal of fun on a date. Make sure
that your date enjoys the activity before you make your plans.
For the ladies, don’t wear your suggestive or revealing clothing on an
early date. These types of outfits should only be worn once you know your date a
little better. A first date is not the time for a low cut blouse or a skirt that
goes well above the knee. Wear something simple that is comfortable.
Don’t have conversations about your old relationships. And make sure the topic
of sex doesn’t come up on an early date. Marriage is another date busting
conversation. Keep the conversation on simple topics that will allow you to get
to know your date.
Guys, don’t check out other women. This is a big turnoff to most women. It’s
okay to casually look up and innocently see a woman, but ogling is definitely
not allowed. You are being very disrespectful to the woman you are with and the
woman you are ogling.
Turn the cell phone off during your date. It is considered to be rude to attend
to phone calls while you are on a date. Your attention should be focused on the
person you are with, not on everyone who rings your phone.
If you must leave because your date is being rude, then do so politely. You do
not have to put up with a rude date and you have every right to leave, but you
should not be rude yourself. Simply let them know you are leaving and if you
like tell them why.
Relax and enjoy your date. Dating is meant to be fun, make sure you have some
fun on your date.
Be honest when your fiancé asks your opinion and make suggestions, but
don’t be overly picky. If you feel strongly about it, whether it be the
reception site, ceremony site, your vows, or even a cake flavor, speak up! Your
fiancé is likely very stressed during this time, so pick your fights carefully.
If you don’t have a strong opinion on something, just go with the flow.
Bickering families are a requirement during the engagement period. Well, maybe
not a requirement, but it’s pretty much guaranteed to occur, so be prepared. Set
the guidelines, make sure your families are aware of these guidelines, and then
stick to them. If you set a maximum guest list number and they try to add
additional names, just say no. If they’re unhappy with the dinner selections,
cake flavor, wedding location, or anything else, gently remind them that this is
your wedding. You may have a little more difficulty with this if your parents
are paying for the wedding, but even in that case, set the boundaries up in the
beginning to keep disagreements from happening down the road. If everyone plans
happily, the two of you will be happier together.
If you do nothing else, just have fun. Lighten the mood with a little
icing on the nose when you’re cake tasting. Practice dancing to your song
together, walking down the aisle, or picking crazy songs for your reception.
It’s these types of funny moments that make you remember why you’re doing this
in the first place. The stress of planning lasts only a short time, but the fun
and loving times you experience are what make the memories that you’ll never
forget.
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