Adulting: When “Your Man” Acts Like He’s Your Child

Men are rewarded for childlike inappropriate behavior. Not all men act this way, but it’s obvious that the ones who do are humored by society. “He’s just such a goofball,” “marches to his own tune,” you’ve heard it all. A marriage is supposed to be an equal partnership.

But what if the “equal” you married decades ago suddenly decides he is no longer a grownup? A husband who was once responsible now wants to go out and “play” and leave every adult life action up to The Adult?

What happens when your man starts acting like your child? They decide they are not helping you do anything anymore. They will drink a beer and watch you rake the leaves. Goofy smiles adorn their lazy faces as if to say, “See? I’m so adorable I no longer have to help you do anything Mommy!”

Behavior like this is so ruining we are confused into silence at first. We keep raking, or rolling garbage cans back down the driveway or whatever Him-Chore that is now My-Chore. We don’t know what he’s thinking. One thing is certain: he is not getting away with this. This is not the status quo around here.

This behavior sticks us, the mature women we all are, with two stinky choices. Either we “scold” him and remind him we do enough around here, or we say nothing and do it because we like going to bed knowing the house is…