I’m Leighton, and I’m 32 years old. I work in marketing, and my husband, Jeff, is 34 years old and works in finance. We’ve been married for a few years.
Jeff has been thinking a lot about the “perfect wife” lately. His boss’s wife, Susan, has given him ideas. He thinks I should be more like her, which means clean, domestic, and obedient.
Jeff brought Marianne home one night to “teach” me how to cook and clean. Even though I was mad, I chose to go along with it. I cooked, cleaned, and got dressed up for Jeff every day for weeks like the perfect wife. But I was cold, far away, and not responding.
Jeff didn’t understand why our relationship wasn’t warm and fuzzy. I could tell he missed the way we used to connect. I chose to stand up for myself.
I gave him a contract that said I would get paid for my housekeeping services. I told him that he needed to pay me a salary if he wanted me to keep being a great wife.
Jeff was shocked and saw what he had done wrong too late. He didn’t want me to quit my job or work for him. His only desire was a partner, not a perfect wife.
After that, Jeff helped out around the house more, and our relationship got better. He learnt to value what I did and respect me for it.
Giving someone exactly what they think they want can teach them something. Jeff found out the hard way that the idea of a perfect wife isn’t as appealing in real life. It was nice to be respected, and our marriage got stronger.
