Do You Appreciate Your Mate?

His girlfriend always hounded him for not spending time with her, and he always counteracted with reasons why she should be thankful for the four-bedroom home, cars, jewelry and clothing that he'd showered her with; He also felt that she was not being considerate of his job. After all, if it wasn't for his job, she wouldn't have all those nice things.

It's an universal debate, and a sad one at that: Respecting your mate's position. I'm not going to go into discussion about which mate is right or wrong, but I will say that each person should respect and understand what the other mate is going through. Oftentimes, we are so caught up in our own daily activities, that we don't see how hard it is for the other person, or people in our lives.

I've seen so many homes broken because of disrespect; not just disrespect, but inconsideration of what another person is actually dealing with on a basis. Most men have so much to deal with today. Not only is it hard to stay employed with the closings of some of our major automotive companies, mills and other mass-production companies, but the job market is slowly dissipating. Adding salt to an open wound, the wife....let's give a scenario: A man is unemployed, and is leaving his home and family every morning, looking for work; having no such luck that day, the man returns home disgusted and feeling like a failure; as soon as he enters the house, his wife starts nagging him about coming home later than usual, and began to accuse him of having an affair; being in a heated state, the wife then starts on the bills piling up, the empty refrigerator and the holes in the children's shoes (as if he doesn't notice this); this causes the man to respond angrily and a heated argument begins.

With this scenario being placed, it's natural for us to feel as if both parties aren't being aware of the other's circumstances. If we can all agree that there are going to be hard times in our lives, and treat the situations as if they are something that the entire family has to deal with, and not just one person, I believe things may work for the best in our households.

The same can be said about a stay-at-home mom, or a career mom as well. These women are boggled down with just as many issues and situations as the man in a household. This woman has to not only take care of the children (school, after-school programs), but she has to maintain the home; take care of personal business, family bookkeeping, her garden and all the while, keep a level head, caring heart, and sensitive ears, open arms and so much more!

And for a woman to have had a day filled with this, and then have her husband return home to sit in front of the television, demanding for a beer and dinner! "How Dare He!" Some people don't feel as if being a housewife is a hard, exasperating chore...but it is! I have held the position before, and trust me, it's one job I'd never wish on my worst enemy (as if I have any). A mandatory, no-days off, full-time, year round job, with no pay. But you do have your rewards, which can be another article in itself.

I would like to suggest that if mates were to be a bit more understanding of one another's daily duties and other situations that may be lingering, respect will follow. And where you have respect, there is no failure to claim or accept.

How often do you ask your mate how their day was, and truly cared? Or, have you ever asked?