The Battle of the Sexes In Our House Might Just End Next Weekend

I’m going to preface this post by saying:

I love my husband

I love my husband

I love my husband

I could write volumes on all the good he is and does on a daily basis. I could also write volumes on all the crap he pulls too. He is, after all a man. (Will address that very feminist man-hating statement in a minute. I don’t hate men. Promise.)

However, yesterday, he did something so amazing for me that I just want to scream and scream some more with glee. He booked a flight for me to go visit both of my sisters for a long weekend with no kids. I’ll let you take that in for a minute.

Yeah, I’m having a hard time grasping the concept too.

You see, I have only left my kids on a kid free woman trip one time that I can remember in almost 7 years. And that was a 3 hour car drive away for one night. Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, so, neither have I. You’re a Mom. Suck it up.” And, while I agree that’s true, I can’t tell you how many times my husband has been on little man trips. Let’s just say lots. Whether it is to go up to the Yurt, or go to a medical conference, or whether it is one of the times I left with all the kids in tow while he stayed home to work and have the house to himself for a week, he has had a lot of time without the children. With a good night’s sleep.

I have never really traveled anywhere for any significant amount of time without my kids. I woke up at 2 am last night and couldn’t fall back asleep. I was dreaming of my trip to Philadelphia to see BOTH SISTERS that I love more than anything and meet my new niece. I won’t have a diaper bag, or snacks, or sippy cups, or strollers, or car seats with me. I won’t be dictated by my kid’s sleep schedules or by the sickness that someone always seems to come down with while I’m traveling. I will have something called F-R-E-E-D-O-M. Never heard of it? Yeah, me either. I’m actually taking a bus to NYC one of the days while I’m there. Guess what I’ll be taking. A purse. Yep. That’s it. 3 hour layover coming home? WHO CARES!

Can you tell I’m a little bit excited?

Well, I got to thinking this morning about my husband taking care of our kids ages 6, 4, and 14 months old all by himself for 4 days. I started to get a little nervous. For him and for them. I won’t be there to dictate everyone’s schedules and control nap time, and food intake. They will probably have a blast. And, my husband admitted that he is a little scared. “You should be my friend. You should be”, I replied.

I think that a new found appreciation will be had for this little wife of his. At least, I hope so.

You see, one of my biggest hang ups in our marriage seems to always fall back to, “You don’t appreciate everything I do”. So, back to my man-hating statement. I don’t hate men. I have just realized that men are very very different than women. Especially my man and this woman. Sometimes this gives me strong urges to bang my head against the wall, and sometimes I find it very endearing. But, when it comes to the day in and day out and all the household duties and responsibilities, I just don’t get why he doesn’t want to do everything the way I want to do it. Because my way just makes sense. Ahem.

But, in all honesty, when I look at the big picture, I’m happy with our gender roles. We have very traditional ones. While I like to think I’m a little more liberal than your average mormon housewife, I also feel like I’m super happy with my job.  Most days. I definitely don’t want to do his. Work full-time again. No thank you.

And, I’m sure he doesn’t really want to do my job for 4 days either. (good luck)

So, maybe that’s why this little trip that he so lovingly booked for me might just end the battle of the sexes in our house. I just hope he doesn’t expect me to go do his job so that I can truly understand him.