Does Your Husband Prefer To Watch Television?
Oh dear, what is my life coming to, night after night I allow myself to be bored, upset, irritated by the stream of nonsense that streams into my living room via the television - why? My husband, like many others I suspect, appears to be addicted to watching t.
v.
from tea time until bed time, every night of the week, month, year.
I used to spend my evenings in the study, reading, writing, dreaming, but that was described as being unsociable.
In the interests of preserving a more 'sociable relationship' I stopped going to the 'other room'.
However, I'm struggling to work out how it is more sociable to sit in the same room as someone who is totally absorbed with t.
v.
and reading newspapers and car magazines.
There is no conversation save the comments he makes related to whatever he is reading.
It is obvious to me that anything I have to say is considered an interruption to his reading / viewing activities.
On one occasion I caught him turning up the volume when I was speaking to him - he won't do that again! There are three or four programmes during the week that I like to watch - these are tolerated.
There are some programmes that we both enjoy, but we don't discuss them in any way.
So, back to my original question, why am I wasting my life spending three or four hours every evening in the same room as a television set and a non-communicative husband? Spring is coming and I'll be able to get out to the garden in the evenings, fresh air, exercise and being productive, much more satisfying.
I have read, I think, in a book by David Grey of Men Are From Mars And Women Are From Venus fame, that men can relax by watching television, it is escapism for them.
It's not the same for women, they continue to mull over their tasks and problems at the same time as watching television, it's just not as relaxing for them.
Women relax by talking things over, not necessarily to get answers, just to mull things over.
My husband and I both have busy lives, but it seems that only one of us can really relax in the evenings.
Recently my blood pressure was very high, my doctor advised that I find time to relax.
Not as easy as you might think, if I go to a space where I can relax I'm described as being unsociable.
If I stay in the family sitting room, I feel frustrated, ignored and stressed, none of which are good for high blood pressure.
Decision time.
I am going back to the study.
I shall explain why, at the end of the day my health is more important than my relationship - especially since it would seem that the short comings of my relationship are adversely affecting my health.
I hear you coming up with all sorts of useful suggestions, e.
g.
switch the television off for an hour every night - tried that, he sulked.
Have one night every week with no television, tried that, he stayed late at work and sulked when he did come home.
Why am I in this relationship I wonder? Good question.
I'll work on the answer for my next article.
v.
from tea time until bed time, every night of the week, month, year.
I used to spend my evenings in the study, reading, writing, dreaming, but that was described as being unsociable.
In the interests of preserving a more 'sociable relationship' I stopped going to the 'other room'.
However, I'm struggling to work out how it is more sociable to sit in the same room as someone who is totally absorbed with t.
v.
and reading newspapers and car magazines.
There is no conversation save the comments he makes related to whatever he is reading.
It is obvious to me that anything I have to say is considered an interruption to his reading / viewing activities.
On one occasion I caught him turning up the volume when I was speaking to him - he won't do that again! There are three or four programmes during the week that I like to watch - these are tolerated.
There are some programmes that we both enjoy, but we don't discuss them in any way.
So, back to my original question, why am I wasting my life spending three or four hours every evening in the same room as a television set and a non-communicative husband? Spring is coming and I'll be able to get out to the garden in the evenings, fresh air, exercise and being productive, much more satisfying.
I have read, I think, in a book by David Grey of Men Are From Mars And Women Are From Venus fame, that men can relax by watching television, it is escapism for them.
It's not the same for women, they continue to mull over their tasks and problems at the same time as watching television, it's just not as relaxing for them.
Women relax by talking things over, not necessarily to get answers, just to mull things over.
My husband and I both have busy lives, but it seems that only one of us can really relax in the evenings.
Recently my blood pressure was very high, my doctor advised that I find time to relax.
Not as easy as you might think, if I go to a space where I can relax I'm described as being unsociable.
If I stay in the family sitting room, I feel frustrated, ignored and stressed, none of which are good for high blood pressure.
Decision time.
I am going back to the study.
I shall explain why, at the end of the day my health is more important than my relationship - especially since it would seem that the short comings of my relationship are adversely affecting my health.
I hear you coming up with all sorts of useful suggestions, e.
g.
switch the television off for an hour every night - tried that, he sulked.
Have one night every week with no television, tried that, he stayed late at work and sulked when he did come home.
Why am I in this relationship I wonder? Good question.
I'll work on the answer for my next article.
