married chit-chatters?

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  • Lonestar5715
    Lonestar5715 Posts: 466 Member
    lulufit5 wrote: »
    I was looking up the internet for baby names at wife's request and there's an article that says women are actually giving khaleesi as a name. I mean how bizarre is that. I feel sorry for those girls.

    My husband and I had such a hard time agreeing on the names of our girls... I feel like since I was doing most of the work I should get the final say lmao but we were able to come to an agreement both times!

    Picking names is tough. We both went through a baby name book individually and made a list. Then compared to see which ones we had that were common. Surprisingly, only one similarity, which is what we named our daughter.

    For our last two babies we had an idea of the names we wanted but we waited until the baby was born and we actually held them and saw them. Which turned out leading to different names than we had planned. Because honestly...the names just came to us.

    I love that you did that with your children. I also admire the tradition of American Indian families who are said to have named their children one name upon birth and later when they were in their mid-teens they would be given their adult name once their mature traits and nature was obvious. Thanks for sharing!
  • Lonestar5715
    Lonestar5715 Posts: 466 Member
    cross2bear wrote: »
    cross2bear wrote: »
    Married for 37 years. To the same person. Wont ever divorce - too much paperwork and we are both pretty lazy. And frugal (he's cheap!) But its worked out so far - so what the hell - in for another year.

    I am curious @cross2bear do you mind sharing what the most challenging time has been for you in your marriage so far? And please don't say the first 37 years

    The most challenging time, without being my usual sarcastic smart mouth self, was when the kids were small. We had completely different upbringings, and different baggage as a result, so we often clashed about how restrictive or permissive we were going to be with them. My husband is a very traditional "me man, you woman" kind of guy, so I would often have to point out to him that he was being a sexist jerk with our daughter by treating her differently than our son. Fortunately, we both had pretty successful careers, so we are able to bequeath quite a healthy inheritance to the kids for their therapists.

    Thanks for responding @cross2bear. Congrats on not only that many years together but also on navigating the turbulence of raising young children. You're totally right about the differing baggage each spouse brings with them into a marriage and how that cascades into the relationship. I applaud you!
  • 11win1420
    11win1420 Posts: 3 Member
    LOL I don't think I deserve applause but thanks anyway!
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    What is in a name? My wife and I decided to not know what was coming in advance of what became our daughter's birth so we picked a somewhat "ambidextrous" name...(No not Pat, Kim, Jan, etc.) and we wanted it to be unique and un-rhyme-able so kids would have to find a different way to make fun of her if that's the way it was going to go down. also something with historical context. I think we succeeded the second name was easier... My grandmother's first... and as we were wheeling into the delivery room... the kid got a second middle name...

    How tough was it to come up with that first name? IN the province we live in she was the ONLY kid boy or girl to be Named Dante that year...in the following years there were more than just a few. but she was and is quite a unique young lady.
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    ohh...DON_TAY is how we pronounce it :P
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I have an unusual name. And the spelling is different from the pronunciation. It can be pronounced in two different ways. Mine is pronounced in the lesser expected way. But, that's my name. Would have been easier if my mother had just dropped one double letter from my name. So, for my girls I tried to choose pretty names that are unique, but not incredibly unique either. I spelled them in the way that made sense phonetically or could not be confused with a different word. Where I lived had a very large Spanish speaking population, and my first daughters name sounds the same as a benign Spanish word. We moved since then. My youngest daughters name was unique, but has become more common these days. Both are pretty, feminine names. I gave them flowers for middle names. Did have trouble deciding on a name, so went with one we could agree on.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    Just thinking about the previous question. I have two kids. They are 12 & 9. I am so happy with them. But, I am all done having kids and won't have any more. So, if somehow I was out on the dating scene again I wouldn't start another family.
  • cuckoo_jenibeth
    cuckoo_jenibeth Posts: 1,434 Member
    ^^ I agree with this. My son is 20. I would not want to start over again! I have friends my age that still have young children & just hanging out with them for awhile wears me out!
  • gfjazz
    gfjazz Posts: 285 Member
    Good morning
  • JasonLHoman
    JasonLHoman Posts: 8 Member
    Yep. Married 17.... Wait, I gotta check....Yep, 17 years.
  • matador36
    matador36 Posts: 160 Member
    Married here
  • mommabearlove66
    mommabearlove66 Posts: 2 Member
    Together for 15 years and married for 9 years
  • Redbeard333
    Redbeard333 Posts: 381 Member
    We have no kids, but lots of pets. My wife will come up with a couple names and we'll discuss them, then choose. My problem is that as a teacher, some of the names she comes up with remind me of students I've had that I'd rather like to forget. However, a lot of the names she's suggested have been great: Audrey, Tucker, Violet, Scout, Olduvai, Hadar. My contribution was "Emmitt" for our male cat: years ago I was in a vets examination room and saw a poster of healthy cat weights. Someone had written "Emmitt" above the picture of the fattest cat, and I thought that name was awesome! Our tortoise, however, is named "Willy". When we bought him as a hatchling, we didn't know what gender it was until around 2 years old, so we figured "Willy" could be short for "Williamina" or "William". We figured out after a couple years it was a boy :smiley:
  • RainaProske
    RainaProske Posts: 636 Member
    edited July 2016
    I once had a pet snapping turtle, @Redbeard333 . I worked then for a small-town newspaper, and I kept him (her?) in an aquarium in the office. The name was Rigger Mortiss. Well, he was a real ugly baby. :smile: If I had it to do again, I would not have kept it: it was intended to be wild.

    I haven't had any indoor pets for years now. I think about it occasionally, but I'm hesitant. The feral cats that come here for food and water fill the gap. We've been able to take @ 12 in to be spayed & neutered and have three kittens and one momma to go.
  • DarleneReid577
    DarleneReid577 Posts: 4,401 Member
    Ok I have a new topic. I was born and raised in Ontario. We were married 28 years ago both gainfully employed. Two years ago my husband was offered a really good job in Alberta so he relocated. He finally talked me into early retirement and selling our family home to move and look after him. So I have been here a couple of months now and it starts. Well you aren't working so you should be able to ....etc etc etc. Or I need you to do etc etc etc.....well your not working. And when he is home ( he works 14 away 7 home) I feel like a slave, cooking all the meals, doing his laundry , etc etc ( we used to share chores, I cook he does dishes). I am starting to wish I stayed in Ontario. Any suggestions anyone???? :'(
  • cinnabondelights
    cinnabondelights Posts: 121 Member
    Together for 4 years, married almost 3 years in November. :D No kids as we're still deciding if we should have them while my hubby's still in the Navy or wait til he retires, or even at all- I honestly don't like children, but that's mostly just other people's kids. Opinion might change if we have our own, but everyone we know from high school are already having/had kids and we're just over here playing Pokémon GO at 11PM, hahaha.
  • RunRachelleRun
    RunRachelleRun Posts: 1,854 Member
    It is so hard to move cities, but I suggest you find something meaningful to do that you value more than dishes and chores. Volunteer, go to meetups, make new friends. Then tell him what you need.

    My husband is a terrible mind reader. He does more cooking and housework than I do because he works less hours. It isn't an expectation I have though. We both know what needs to be done and do what we can.

    I think communication is key here. He has a misperception of your new role. You mentioned it above: you moved and retired to look after him. I'd clear that up. You retired and now get to do all the things you wanted to before but didn't have time for.

    My husband used to say he was helping me, and I corrected him every time. He was helping himself or our family. No roles should be defined as mine or his. I hope you can set some clear boundaries and enjoy your early retirement.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    terakrantz wrote: »
    Married here. 9 whole months. Always looking for sarcastic, witty, bearded friends though. Men or women, of course.

    I don't have a beard though
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    terakrantz wrote: »
    terakrantz wrote: »
    Married here. 9 whole months. Always looking for sarcastic, witty, bearded friends though. Men or women, of course.

    I don't have a beard though

    2 out of 3?

    All that, just slightly less hairy! :smile:
  • StrongAndHealthyMommy
    StrongAndHealthyMommy Posts: 1,255 Member
    Nightshift at work... husband not answering text messages, probably sleeping lol .... who is awake and bored? lol
  • Lonestar5715
    Lonestar5715 Posts: 466 Member
    Ok I have a new topic. I was born and raised in Ontario. We were married 28 years ago both gainfully employed. Two years ago my husband was offered a really good job in Alberta so he relocated. He finally talked me into early retirement and selling our family home to move and look after him. So I have been here a couple of months now and it starts. Well you aren't working so you should be able to ....etc etc etc. Or I need you to do etc etc etc.....well your not working. And when he is home ( he works 14 away 7 home) I feel like a slave, cooking all the meals, doing his laundry , etc etc ( we used to share chores, I cook he does dishes). I am starting to wish I stayed in Ontario. Any suggestions anyone???? :'(

    @DarleneReid577 I'm sorry for your situation, especially after 28 years of marriage. I agree with Rachelle that communicating clearly is critical although I can't say I believe stating your case is necessarily going to change anything. From the way you describe things, it sounds like your spouse simply feels the partner not working outside the home is by default responsible to support the other's wishes. I will stop short of saying people cannot change but the urge to do so is better when it originates within that person rather than due to an ultimatum.

    One bit of advice I would offer is, regardless of the outcome, do not be discouraged or afraid of facing any changes that may result from this new chapter in your life. Embrace the challenge of following through with your decisions once you decide what direction you need to take. Turning a page inevitably leads to a new one with endless possibilities. There has to be something better than feeling like a slave in your own home. Best of luck friend!
  • Redbeard333
    Redbeard333 Posts: 381 Member
    My dad instilled in me and my sister the "equal/equal" mantra. For example, when I last drove down to his place in Kentucky, my truck's alternator died. He paid for a new one, 3 drive belts, and installation at his friend's garage. That day, he sent my sister a check for the same amount.

    **vent** My philosophy for my marriage (though my wife doesn't subscribe to it) is the same. I leave the house at 5:45am and get home ~7pm, and some days the only break I have is 20 minutes for lunch. Every opportunity that is presented to me to make some extra money at work I take (covering classes on my prep, teaching afternoon classes, being a club advisor). Ideally, my wife would take care of the house, but, oftentimes, it's in the same or worse condition when I get home. With my OCD, I *know* the house would be cleaned and vacuumed if the work situations were reversed. **end vent**
  • Lonestar5715
    Lonestar5715 Posts: 466 Member
    My dad instilled in me and my sister the "equal/equal" mantra. For example, when I last drove down to his place in Kentucky, my truck's alternator died. He paid for a new one, 3 drive belts, and installation at his friend's garage. That day, he sent my sister a check for the same amount.

    **vent** My philosophy for my marriage (though my wife doesn't subscribe to it) is the same. I leave the house at 5:45am and get home ~7pm, and some days the only break I have is 20 minutes for lunch. Every opportunity that is presented to me to make some extra money at work I take (covering classes on my prep, teaching afternoon classes, being a club advisor). Ideally, my wife would take care of the house, but, oftentimes, it's in the same or worse condition when I get home. With my OCD, I *know* the house would be cleaned and vacuumed if the work situations were reversed. **end vent**

    @Redbeard333 I find the way your father practices the "equal/equal" philosophy very interesting and the first I have ever heard of a parent compensating a child monetarily because of help he gave another child. Thanks for sharing that. I am curious how you would feel if he were to not do that?
  • bugzinc
    bugzinc Posts: 291 Member
    #clapping Good board, good post, so true.
  • Redbeard333
    Redbeard333 Posts: 381 Member
    @Redbeard333 I find the way your father practices the "equal/equal" philosophy very interesting and the first I have ever heard of a parent compensating a child monetarily because of help he gave another child. Thanks for sharing that. I am curious how you would feel if he were to not do that?

    It's kind of weird. I think it has 2 root causes: first, he left my mom when we were kids, so this equal/equal is likely a way to still make up for something that happened over 30 years ago. Secondly, he and I have talked about my diagnosis of OCD, and I can see his equal/equal philosophy being directly related to it. I'm the same way when I interact with my dogs and cats, too!
  • RunRachelleRun
    RunRachelleRun Posts: 1,854 Member
    My dad instilled in me and my sister the "equal/equal" mantra. For example, when I last drove down to his place in Kentucky, my truck's alternator died. He paid for a new one, 3 drive belts, and installation at his friend's garage. That day, he sent my sister a check for the same amount.

    **vent** My philosophy for my marriage (though my wife doesn't subscribe to it) is the same. I leave the house at 5:45am and get home ~7pm, and some days the only break I have is 20 minutes for lunch. Every opportunity that is presented to me to make some extra money at work I take (covering classes on my prep, teaching afternoon classes, being a club advisor). Ideally, my wife would take care of the house, but, oftentimes, it's in the same or worse condition when I get home. With my OCD, I *know* the house would be cleaned and vacuumed if the work situations were reversed. **end vent**

    @Redbeard333 I find the way your father practices the "equal/equal" philosophy very interesting and the first I have ever heard of a parent compensating a child monetarily because of help he gave another child. Thanks for sharing that. I am curious how you would feel if he were to not do that?

    Yes, that is very interesting. I've never heard of that either. My parents helped one of my brothers a lot more than the other three of us because he always needed helping. They paid his bills to keep his lights/heat on, bought him food so his kids wouldn't starve, gave him a down payment for a house, etc. My oldest brother is very resentful of that brother and would have appreciated something closer to 50/50. I feel like it would have been nicer if my brother had taken better care of his own family and left my parents to spend their money on themselves or their retirement (they are not wealthy).

    My husband is a clean freak who can't stand clutter. He cleans more than most men. He asked me gently to make the bed in the morning shortly after we got married (20 years ago), something I never cared about. Now I do it automatically if I'm the last one up. The only exception is he hates cleaning bathrooms. He'd happily spend 2 hours dusting and vacuuming and I'd rather spend 50 mins cleaning the bathrooms.

    When I worked less, I did most of the cooking and cleaning. Once I had to work more (12-14 hours a day like you), he had to start picking up my slack. The cooking required a great deal of communication at first as I had to help him learn. Now, he's a better cook than me and often doesn't want me in "his" kitchen lol.

    If a mess doesn't bother your wife, it is probably hard for her to make it a priority. If you have weekends free, maybe you could spend a couple hours cleaning house together, listing off the tasks and letting her pick first. That way you'll get to know what she doesn't mind doing and, soon enough, she may start doing those tasks on her own schedule when you're at work.
  • RunRachelleRun
    RunRachelleRun Posts: 1,854 Member
    terakrantz wrote: »
    Married here. 9 whole months. Always looking for sarcastic, witty, bearded friends though. Men or women, of course.

    I don't have a beard though
    Some women can grow a beard.

    I think I could :(
  • x_xKarina
    x_xKarina Posts: 219 Member
    Hello fellow married mfp'rs how are y'all today?
  • bugzinc
    bugzinc Posts: 291 Member
    @KarinaIsLosingIt

    Doing well! How bout you?