FF: Decoding Her Desire: Stop Shooting Blind

Have you ever tried the “ask for sex every night” approach, figuring the more often you ask, the more often she will say yes? Or, maybe you have no idea why she says yes or no, so you figure you should ask all the time so you don’t miss an occasion when she might say yes. Basically fire blindly and hoping you hit the target occasionally!

Mostly missing the target.

I’ve been there, I’ve done that, and I found it didn’t work so well. If you think about it, why would it? If your wife, or your child, or anyone else, did the same to you over something, don’t you think you would come to resent it? Might you feel so nagged you would start to say no just out of annoyance? What’s more, if they asked when you were clearly busy, or over worked, or just so tired you couldn’t stand it, how would you feel about them for being so inconsiderate?

Why would your daily requests for sex be received any differently?

Yes, I know you’re not getting enough, and asking less when you want more seems counter-productive. However, if you think about what I said above, you should see why better targeting your asking could result in more sex and less aggravation for both of you.

The key here is to figure out when/why she says no. It may seem completely random, but it is not. The problem is there are a number of factors involved, so it is a difficult formula to decipher.

  • Time of month is huge if she is not pregnant, past menopause, or on hormonal contraceptives. She should be most receptive (if not chasing you) around ovulation, which is 14 days before her next period. The week before that, she is likely to be more receptive than at other times. After she ovulates, she is less receptive. Just before and during menstruation varies from women to woman.
  • Tiredness, from lack of sleep, is probably the next biggest factor.
  • Stress from a long day, and ongoing stress, are also big factors.
  • How well she has connected with you the last 24 to 36 hours is important. Remember, her love language determines how she feels loved and connected.

There are plenty of other factors, well beyond what I can list here. Start thinking about it; make notes about the 24 hours before when she says yes, and likewise when she says no. Record as much as possible and you should start to find patterns. Does she always say no on laundry day, or after taking the kids to some specific event? Is she likely to say yes when she gets some quiet time in the evening, or the day after a date with you? Keep playing detective, and you should find the clues needed to learn when asking is a waste of time (and a good way to aggravate her) and when your odds are better. I realise not asking doesn’t help you directly, but if it makes her feel less exhausted about sex, that’s good for both of you.

[This post first appeared Nov 24, 2012.]

Image Credit: © olly | stock.adobe.com
Shop Amazon ♦ Shop to give links page
We’re donation supported Thanks for your help!
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure for info.

Appreciating the Unseen: Rekindling Gratitude

When did you last thank your wife for doing something that’s “her job”?

Woman Doing Laundry Reaching Inside Washing Machine

It’s easy to stop being aware of things she does if she does them well. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say.

Take a moment to think about the things she does so reliably you’ve stopped thinking about them. Then express some gratitude.

Image Credit: © Monkey Business | stock.adobe.com
Shop Amazon ♦ Shop to give links page
We’re donation supported Thanks for your help!
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure for info.

Love in the Pews: Ripple Effect of Affection in Church

We usually sit up front at church. But yesterday we arrived just before the service started, and the front was full, so we ended up close to the back.

I was looking at the folks in front of me during the sermon, and I noticed a number of married couples sitting close, or one with their arm around the other, or a hand on a leg.

A couple sitting close in church

It seems showing love for your spouse is a cultural norm there. That’s great, it encourages others to do the same. It may also nudge those who are not as loving. Perhaps it could even cause someone to think they should work on their marriage.

Public displays of attention aren’t just for you and your wife. They have the power to effect other couples in a good way.

Image Credit: © Paul H Byerly created with stockdreams.ai
Shop Amazon ♦ Shop to give links page
We’re donation supported Thanks for your help!
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure for info.

FF: 3 Gifts a Month

Gifts: It’s supposed to be the thought that count. But is it?

A husband giving is wife a gift.

For most of us, it is. A gift says, “I was thinking of you” and a gift that has special meaning or relevance says, “I know you well”. These are things you want to communicate to your wife, and regular small gifts do that well. I say small as in “it’s not the cost, it’s the thought”. Aim for three gifts a month, which might mean four one month and two the next. If the gifts are small and inexpensive, most months will cost you little more than a trip to St. Arbucks.

Some ideas to get you started

  • Flowers: Yes, the classic. And for good reason. Do a flower or flowers once a month.
  • A card: A real paper-in-an-envelope card. Write something nice, and it is very much a gift.
  • Coupons: This is the perfect gift for an acts of service gal, or to gift your time. The Marriage Bed has some nice print your own coupons.
  • Collectables: Preferably something she has already collects. This could be a specific item, such as a brand of figurine, or anything with a certain symbol or animal on it.
  • Candy nuts, or whatever: If she is not on a diet!
  • Anything given to disappearing at your house: Pens, scissors, AA batteries…
  • Bookmarks: If she’s a reader.
  • Pampering items: Such as bubble bath, hand lotion, scented soaps…

Wrap your gifts, or not. Leave them out, or hide them where she will come across them.

Is three gifts a month a lot? Maybe, but the process of thinking about it, and trying to come up with better and better ideas, will help you know her better, and tell her you are getting to know her better. It is a win/win!

[This post first appeared Oct 3, 2012.]

Image Credit: © Paul H Byerly created with stockdreams.ai
Shop Amazon ♦ Shop to give links page
We’re donation supported Thanks for your help!
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure for info.

Flowers: The Scientifically Proven Way to Make Her Smile

Oh my! So it’s been over six months since I suggested you give your favourite lady some flowers.

If you’re thinking your wife’s not really into flowers, you’re almost certainly wrong.

A woman receiving flowers and showing a Duchenne smile.

  • Two thirds of women have bought flowers for themselves.
  • A study delivered one of three gifts to 147 woman in New Jersey. They were looking for Duchenne smiles, a smile that is a genuine indicator of happiness. Every singe woman who received flowers showed such a smile. A basket of candy got that smile from 90% of the women, and a candle only got a 77% Duchenne smile rate.
  • A large survey found that 96% of women like to receive flowers when they’re not expecting them.

So just do it, dude!

Image Credit: © Paul H Byerly created with stockdreams.ai
Shop Amazon ♦ Shop to give links page
We’re donation supported Thanks for your help!
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure for info.

The Power of Touch: Strengthening Your Marriage with Physical Connection

How often do you give your wife little touches? Hold her hand, pat her, put your arm around her, and so on?

A couple walking hand in hand down a country road

Touch is powerful. It releases hormones and brain chemicals that can make both of you feel calmer and more connected. And a steady drip of that will, over time, have a profound positive effect on your marriage.

Make it a habit to touch her many times a day.

Image Credit: © Paul H Byerly created with stockdreams.ai
Shop Amazon ♦ Shop to give links page
We’re donation supported Thanks for your help!
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure for info.

Greet Your Wife Like You’ve Been Apart for Days

I spent Friday, Saturday, and much of Sunday at a men’s retreat. When I got home, I’m sure I gave my wife an extra big hug.

Husband and wife hugging and kissing at the front door.

What would happen if you greeted your wife like you’d been apart for days every time you reconnected?

A post worth reading:

Dr. Corey Carlisle | Bless your enemies ◄ Christ calls us to a higher standard…

Image Credit: © Paul H Byerly vis stockdreams.ai
Shop Amazon ♦ Shop to give links page
We’re donation supported Thanks for your help!
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure for info.

Build a Bouquet of Love with Daily “Flowers”

I want to suggest you bring your wife a flower a day. But not a physical flower. Make it a kind word, an extra long hug, doing one of her chores, taking her out for dinner unexpectedly, or getting her a small gift.  

Bouquet in a red heart shaped vase

Think of each of these acts as a new flower you’re adding to the bouquet of love you are building for her. Do one flower a day, and soon you will have a massive bouquet!

Image Credit: © Paul H Byerly vis stockdreams.ai
Shop Amazon ♦ Shop to give links page
We’re donation supported Thanks for your help!
This post may contain affiliate links, see my disclosure for info.