When my husband, Jake, handed me a schedule titled “Lisa’s Weekly Routine for Becoming a Better Wife,” I was stunned. Instead of getting angry, I decided to teach him a lesson he wouldn’t forget.
Jake had recently fallen under the influence of Steve, a single coworker who loved giving marriage advice despite having no relationship experience. Jake’s comments, like suggesting I focus more on cooking or looking good, were irritating, but the schedule was the final straw. It included waking up at 5 a.m., cooking gourmet meals, daily chores, and hosting his friends—all while working full-time.
Rather than argue, I created “Jake’s Plan for Becoming the Best Husband Ever,” complete with costs for personal trainers, organic groceries, and compensating my lost income if I quit my job to meet his expectations.
When Jake saw the list, reality hit. Apologizing, he admitted his mistake, and together, we tore up both lists, rediscovering equality in our marriage.
