Guys, print this out and refer to it often.

by Emuna Braverman

Click here to read "Ten Things Men Wish Women Knew."

Click here to download pdf file of both articles.

What, you say: Only 10?! Yes there are more. This is just a starting point. Add your additional points in the comment section below.

1) We want you to tell us you love us. Yes, we need to hear the actual words. We do not want to be like poor Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, begging his wife of 25 years to answer the question, “Do you love me?” We want you to tell us. Frequently.

2) And we want you to match your actions to your words. (Yes, we’re very demanding!) If you tell us you love us and then proceed to ignore all of our requests, needs and desires, your declaration will ring false. Not sure how? Ask us. We have a list.

3) We want to be more important than your job. We appreciate your (our) need for the fulfillment of your career ambitions but we want to feel like we are your first priority. This is usually manifested by calling during the day to check in, taking our calls and sounding like you are really interested in speaking to us, and treating us (at least) as nicely and with as much respect and sense of importance as you do your top client.

4) Time with you is much more valuable to us than more money. Yes, we appreciate the nice possessions but we’d rather go for a walk with you or spend a quiet evening together than receive a gift. Material goods do not and cannot compensate for not seeing you.

5) A few words of appreciation go a long way. “Thanks for dinner. It was delicious. I really liked the flavor” is certainly encouraging. Everyone wants to feel that their efforts are noticed and not taken for granted. Or: “I know you are also busy; thanks for going to the cleaners.” You get the picture.

6) Although you never get pregnant, our children are a shared responsibility. It is not “no big deal” (your words) when I take care of them, nor is it “an extraordinary act of kindness” (your implied words) when you do. (Along these same lines, I’ve noticed that when I go out of town you are flooded with meals and offers of help; yet when you go out of town, no one offers anything….) We are on this journey together and we are both responsible for our family.

7) We do not grow and change through criticism (do you?). You may have convinced yourself that you are only telling us for our own good but 1) you’re wrong because it’s hurtful and ineffective and 2) you’re probably doing it to make your life easier. Like children (and plants) we grow best when nourished, nurtured and loved.

8) Just because we are capable doesn’t mean we want to do everything ourselves. Changing a light bulb or taking out the garbage are not uniquely male pursuits or skills. I am certainly capable of both (this is not a source of great pride) and frequently engage in these activities. But we want you to relieve our burden, to take care of us – in all respects. We feel emotionally tended to when you take over some of these responsibilities, mundane and otherwise.

9) Clothing costs a lot more than you realize! I’m only partially being tongue-in-cheek here. Especially for newly married men who have never walked through the women’s section of a department store, the prices of basic shoes, dresses and skirts may seem absurd. They probably are. But you need to be sensitive to our needs and to what a realistic (considering many factors) expenditure will be. This experience will stand you in good stead should you ever be the parent of teenage girls!

10) Do not ever comment on our weight except to say how thin and beautiful we look.

Click here to read "Ten Things Men Wish Women Knew."

Click here to download pdf file of both articles.

Published: December 3, 2011
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Visitor Comments: 88

(61) Yann, February 13, 2012 6:33 PM

Nothing but the truth

Im very soon gonna step in e world so familiar to me..my 3rd marriage! n I really wish that he take all this wish into consideration n use it with sincerity..wish me eternal love!

(60) naama, February 5, 2012 2:42 AM

When you demand too much, you get too little, and viceversa.

(59) Simon, January 2, 2012 10:06 AM

Don't assume all women are the same - nor all men.

I like your list Rachel as opposed to the one in the article. It is more real and holds much greater self responsibility. However whatever the list, love, honesty, openness and a willingness to be yourself and live an authentic life should cover most lists.

(58) Zahavah Steinberg, January 1, 2012 8:27 AM

Communication

BS"D Communicating needs & wants are very important in a husband & wife relationship. Even when it comes to intimate issues. There's nothing worse than either side having to resort to other means of enjoyment. Trust wears thin, insecurity builds up, constant checking of computer usage & the like. Never assume everything is ok @ any time!! Talk often! Compliment eachother sincerely, work things out or get help.

(57) Scott, December 26, 2011 3:26 PM

A List Of Anger

This list needs some analysis - clearly the author is carrying hurt and expressing that through this list - the entire list can be lumped into one rule: most woman are carrying hurt from parental or prior relationships and expect spouses to care-take and sheperd their issues. About eight of the ten are clear warnings - don't hurt me like I have been hurt by my Dad or by my other male love relationships. So, in essence, this list is mostly valuable to remind men that so many woman have been injured - that you have to assume your wife is, or will act out as if she is. The list was wildly disappointing - as saying things like your wife is more important than money (really?) - woman's clothes are expensive - actions must be cohesive with words - are a potpourri of obvious reactions to having been ignored, under-cared for in previous marriage, etc. Can I recommend a list that does not come from a place of pain and is not a laundry list of complaints and warnings - in fact, the author is so busy putting up fences - she missed the most important one - that woman want to be listened to in a real way - they want a man who will sit down and listen when they need to express - that woman are not looking for answers but rather for empathy. Hard to believe this was penned by this author - perhaps a family member was put through hell in marriage - and this is list of what he did not do? This is not a list of what women wish men knew - rather - it is a list of complaints based on a poor and prior experience - and hint hint Emuna - there is nothing on this list that men don't know - but we are not perfect and we struggle with something you have no clue about - the male ego.

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About the Author

Emuna Braverman

Please check out Emuna’s new book A Diamond for Your Daughter – A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Shidduchim Effectively, available through Judaica Press

Emuna Braverman has a law degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters in in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She lives with her husband and nine children in Los Angeles where they both work for Aish HaTorah. When she isn''t writing for the Internet or taking care of her family, Emuna teaches classes on Judaism, organizes gourmet kosher cooking groups and hosts many Shabbos guests. She is the cofounder of www.gourmetkoshercooking.com.

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