Wanted: Your Opinion On A Hypothetical Situation
Here’s a question for the internet… What is your opinion of this purely hypothetical situation? Because I don’t actually know any couples who would ever experience this. So let's just pretend I might possibly know people who just may behave like this. You know, on a really bad day. Just maybe.
The night before:
Spouse A puts some chicken in the fridge to defrost and makes a marinade for the chicken for dinner the next day.
The next morning:
Spouse B makes breakfast for the kids while Spouse A cuts the somewhat defrosted chicken and puts it into the marinade for dinner. Spouse A then does the dishes because otherwise Spouse B will complain after dinner that there is not enough room in the dish rack because Spouse B is physically unable to put the dry dishes in the cupboards and doesn't know how to load the dish rack properly thereby adding to the lack of space for the wet dishes.
As they are leaving the house, Spouse B says to Spouse A, "Have a great chiropractor appointment this afternoon!"
The afternoon:
Spouse A arrives home 20 minutes later than usual (but as planned due to the doctor appointment). From outside the house, Spouse A hears Baby tantruming and Child whining. Spouse A takes a deep breath and walks in the house: prepared to help with cranky kids. Child and Baby run to Spouse A; the tantruming and whining continue. Spouse A hugs the children and says to Spouse B, "Wow. I hope this hasn't been going on for too long." Spouse B glares at Spouse A and says, "You're late. Where were you?" Spouse A says, "At the chiropractor. Don't tell me you forgot because you mentioned it this morning. And holy shit, it's only 20 minutes later than I usually come home. You leave me alone with the kids all day on Saturdays. Every. Week." Spouse B grunts. (edited to clarify that Spouse B enjoys teaching piano lessons on Saturdays thereby leaving Spouse A to care for Child and Baby. Spouse A usually doesn't mind caring for Child and Baby on Saturdays. Except when Spouse B complains about being left alone with Child and Baby for 20 minutes.)
Spouse A takes the children far far away from Spouse B who obviously needs time alone. Spouse A plays with the children and tries to keep the peace between them (but fails due to Baby and Child being cranky on a Monday) while Spouse B cooks the already-prepared-and-just-needs-to-be-cooked dinner. Spouse B tells the family that dinner is ready but does not sit with the family and instead sulks in front of the tv.
Spouse A feeds the kids, washes the dishes and cleans the kitchen. Spouse B sulks in front of the tv. Spouse A bathes Baby and puts Baby to sleep while Child stands outside the bathtub whining about having to play independently. Spouse B sulks in front of the tv. Spouse A bathes Child, reads books to Child and puts Child to sleep. Spouse B walks into Child's room, kisses Child good night, walks back to the tv and sulks.
Now you tell me, hypothetically speaking: does Spouse A or Spouse B have more of a right to be upset and sulk in front of the tv?
And you tell me, hypothetically speaking, of course, which spouse was extremely pissy and moody for the rest of the night and never apologized to Spouse A the other for being a selfish ass?



30 spoke up!:
Funny. That and similar hypothetical situations have occurred over at my house too. And Spouse A is always right - she is prepared, selfless, and is all-over the multi-tasking while Spouse B enjoys whining and has a difficult time dealing with more than one task at once. In fact, at times like these Spouse B may rightly be considered another child.
-andi
Funny. That and similar hypothetical situations have occurred over at my house too. And Spouse A is always right - she is prepared, selfless, and is all-over the multi-tasking while Spouse B enjoys whining and has a difficult time dealing with more than one task at once. In fact, at times like these Spouse B may rightly be considered another child.
-andi
I think Spouse B is too old to be sulking. And Spouse A should definitely plan an all day spa day on Saturday in order to better acclimate Spouse B to whiney, cranky children. Consider it a favor to Spouse B, you know, so that Spouse B will be better prepared next time Spouse A has a doctor's appointment (or happy hour).
Hope this helps!
Hey? Are we married to the same spouse?
Hypothetically speaking of course...
Where does Spouse B go all day on Saturday? Just curious......
Well, it's really hard to tell from the cryptic descriptions here, but I'd have to say you were Spouse B, and you're feeling major guilt about sulking in front of the TV while your poor, beleaguered hubby slaved diligently away.
It's okay. Just don't let it happen again.
;o)
Clearly, you have super-secret spy camera somewhere in my house!
That was great! It happens sometimes, but not too often:)!
I agree with "Life As I Know It". You... I mean Spouse A needs a day at the spa.
We don't have kids yet, but similar things happen here.
Spouse B comes home, gives Spouse A a hug and immediately sits in front of the TV. Spouse A tries not to get upset when all Spouse A wants Spouse B to do is ask if Spouse A needs any help with dinner. Then Spouse B can go sit in front of the TV.
It's a simple concept we have gone over time and time again. How does Spouse B not remember this? ;)
Wait, wait! Did Spouse B turn to Spouse A and say something about how THEY made dinner? Because in THAT situation, Spouse B would be missing.
Mike cooks in our house. Not that he isn't a good cook, but not all our meals are prime rib if you know what I mean? I just don't think that putting chicken in a pan and making a box of stove-top qualifies you to sit on your ass while the other person cleans up EVERYTHING BY THEMSELVES...
(It happens everywhere. And Spouse A is always right.)
Gee, that scenario you described sounds awfully familiar.
Like, plucked from my life.
I'm just glad someone else gets to write this in her blog! I got in such crapola on mine.....
It really makes me feel good to know someone else is living like me! Thank you SO MUCH!!
And, BAD, BAD Spouse B! "B" is for BAD!!!
Le'mme get this straight. Spouse A worked all day, came home and worked all night?
Spouse B dealt with potentially whiny children all day. Sorry, a lot of the day, and then checked out for the remaining 6 + hours?
Shauna, have you been reading my personal journal again, because I think you might be talking about my life here!! (Me being Spouse A on the days I work, and neeevver Spouse B!! ;-)
This sounds so much like my house. So sorry you all had a terrible Monday.
That funny, I think your Spouse B and my Spouse B may be related. Spouse B at my house is allowed a ton of free time and anytime dedicated to the children Spouse B consider they are doing Spouse A a favor. Like they aren't at all responsible unless absoultely necessary.
Hope the rest of your week is better.
I hate to even say this (out of fear of empowering spouse B) but this same hypothetical situation has happened many a time at my house as well!
Sounds like Spouse A deserves a Sunday all to themself sometime in the very near future!
GREAT WRITING!
Sounds like my house. Except that Spouse B would be pacing at the front door with the cranky children and proceed to whine at Spouse A that he's hungry and pace some more until Spouse A was able to peel the kids off long enough to make the dinner. And clean up. And do everything else. While Spouse B sits in front of the computer for the rest of the night.
I think all Spouse Bs need a good dose of reality inflicted upon them by an outside party. Because we all know what happens if Spouse A is the one to mention something.
If it were to happen again, hypothetically speaking, I think spouse A should turn around and get back in the car and drive around for about 20 minutes just to put things in perspective for spouse B.
Kim @ TheBitterBall
Hmm, I can't relate to this at all. Nothing like this has EVER happened at my house. Geesh, what's wrong with you.
*snort* Sorry, I couldn't keep that in. Too funny.
It is always the B spouses who feel they can sulk... why is that?
wow! well...er...hypothetically speaking, i would say that you...er....i mean Spouse A was totally in the right, and definitely had the right to do the sulking, whilst Spouse B should buck up and take what you...uh....Spouse A does all the time like a MAN!
all i know is that spouse B in our house is physically unable to put away dry dishes!!!!
Spouse B deserves a kick in the balls. ;)
I might have to shoot the tv screen out during a round of stress relieving target practice. Oh, um,...hypothetically speaking, that is. (((Shauna))).
Blessings,
~Toni~
Oh no that kind of thing never, ever happens in our house. Never... (ok, I'm watching out as I type this for fear of lightening striking) ;)
Spouse B must be related to spouse C who resides in mi casa.
Spouse A definitely deserving of spa day.
ugh this sounds so similiar. Spouse A deserves a day out.
Spouse A deserves a spa pedicure. It should be scheduled without spouse B's knowledge and last for an hour after the time Spouse A usually arrives home.
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