For as long as I can remember, my husband has always complained about how men are always slighted. The men’s section at Target and all the other stores we frequent are significantly smaller than the women and girl’s sections. Products and advertisements are mostly geared towards women and I guess for good reason-we like to shop! And just in case you hadn’t noticed, we women really do run the world (as Beyonce’ so hypely stated). But have we come so far that men are no longer out in front? No longer the head of the household? It’s true that we as wives and mothers take on the household duties and then some, but why does the world around us now downplay the significant role of today’s husband and father?
As we all know, the family dynamic has changed dramatically over the last decade. Mostly because of the financial strain that American families have felt since the Bush Administration decided to make our lives hell. Women bringing home the bacon and stay at home dads who cook it (mmmm, bacon!) is a clear picture of the new normal. We have essentially changed the way we raise our families. So why is it so hard for us to acknowledge our men and the sacrifices they make on a daily basis?
Being a full time nanny is a great career for me. But I have experienced some rough patches during my career as well. There have been a few times when I was out of work and my husband was the sole breadwinner. He even wholeheartedly supported me staying at home with our son for the first 8 months of his life. It was tough, but he never once asked me about going back to work. He has made so many sacrifices for our family and he never complains. He cooks, he kills spiders, he takes care of the lawn and maintains the mechanics of our house and car. He even decided to reduce his hours at his job last year so he could spend more time at home with our son. A job where he is only one of two men and it demands his full attention to other children and families all day long. Some days I find myself in awe of the man who never saw himself with a wife and children. And no matter what may come up, he always assures me that every thing will be fine. And it always is. He is a great husband and an awesome father and nothing is more important to him than his family. I have learned in our 9 years together that he really will do anything for me. Truth be told, my husband has never told me no. To anything. Even if he was upset with me. He truly is heaven sent.
I thank God every day that he made me a woman. Having that “I can do anything" mindset is the greatest feeling. But knowing that I don’t have to do it all on my own because I have a true partner in my husband is priceless. He is the reason I dream as big as I do. He is the reason I laugh til I cry. He is the reason I love as purely as I do. He fulfills me in ways I never thought I could be fulfilled in this life. While I’m all for women ‘ruling the world’, let’s not forget our strong men who make sacrifices and willingly step aside so that we can shine a little brighter :-) Thank you to all the men that selflessly make life easier and more enjoyable for us women! They deserve some extra racks in Target, right?
Happy Father's Day to all of the men and dads that love and support their families as they should!