Football season has arrived and we all know a die hard fan who’s going to support their team through hell and high water. You know, the one who doesn’t miss a game, even travels for them when they can; who rushes home after church to see some football.
What if that superfan happens to be your spouse? You may feel on some Sundays like you are invisible. Maybe your spouse isn’t as attentive as usual whenever the game is on and you feel neglected. If this is starting to sound a little familiar to you, I have some advice.
Get over it.
Now, I don’t mean to be harsh, but it is one day for a few hours and your spouse should be able to enjoy the game, eat whatever, and hang out with friends if they so choose. It’s a pastime that makes them happy so let your spouse have that. If you’re struggling with the idea just a little bit, here are a few tips on how you too can enjoy game day with or without your spouse.
Loosen Up
Every partner needs some time to unwind and enjoy what they enjoy. Remember game time isn’t the best moment to nag or offer reminders on which tasks have been left undone around the house. You may have noticed they forgot to wash those dishes or help the kids with homework before they sat down with remote in hand.
Related: If you’re not sure how to stop the nagging in your marriage, try these 3 tips
If it is a responsibility that must be handled right at that moment, see if there is a way you can step in to help. Believe me, your spouse will truly appreciate the effort you put into allowing them their “me-time”.
Please know the game will eventually end and things can go back to business as usual. So if the chores can wait until after the game, let them.
Try Some Team Spirit
Find out how you can help your spouse enjoy it even more. If your partner is your priority, you would want to see them happy. Asking or even taking the initiative to make them more comfortable is one of our responsibilities as a spouse.
Perhaps you can buy the snacks or help to tidy up the space that will be used. Keep in mind, your marriage is a partnership and you are part of the team. Every little bit helps and your partner will definitely remember your acts of kindness.
Get With the Program
Learn the game and enjoy it together. Of course this needs to happen before the game and not during as your spouse doesn’t have time to explain every call while they’re watching. Imagine how much fun it would be to actually understand what you’re watching and then be able to root for your favorite team, right next to your boo.
If you do plan to watch with your spouse, but aren’t a real fan of the game, don’t be a distraction. Asking questions that take away from their enjoyment or bringing up random topics that have nothing to do with the play is annoying.
Related: 10 ways to cope with being a “football widow”
Talking about how one of the players looks like some celebrity will definitely irritate your partner. This is what annoyed my spouse about me and the reason we don’t watch the games together. This works for us, especially for my husband.
Choose an activity just for you. If watching the game isn’t your thing, find something else that’s fun to do. Reading, play time with the children, or visiting relatives are also great ways to spend game day.
Football season is exciting. While both partners may not understand the hype around it, it’s okay. Just because you are part of a couple doesn’t mean you will always have the same interests. Game day can be fun together and still works if one partner desires to enjoy it alone.
BMWK, how do you and your spouse spend game day?