My Name is Amy, and I Am a Complainer.

One day I asked my husband if I was a good wife.  He said, "Yes, but you complain a lot."  I said, "No, I don't!"  He said, "Yes, you do."  I said it again, "No, I don't."  I went on for a few seconds like this and then asked for examples.  As soon as that sentence came out of my mouth I wished I hadn't asked. 

Here were some of his responses.
- You complain about how much housework you have to do.

- You complain about the kids being crazy.

- You complain about me being late from work some days.
- You complain about the people upstairs.

I won't continue.  I'm pretty sure there were quite a bit more, but you get the drift. 

 

It was all true.  Hearing him tell me was hard.  I knew I was this way.  Although, I wanted to think that it wasn't something I did all the time.  I mean, in the grand scheme of things my life is good.  What do I have to complain about?

- I chose to be a wife and to take care of the home.  That includes the housework.  I am lucky to have a husband and five children to take care of.

- Crazy kids equals happy, healthy, kids.  One day I will miss the craziness of it all.

- My husband has a job that provides for us all.  If he is late, it's for a good reason.

- The tenants upstairs basically pay our mortgage allowing us to live in our house for almost nothing.

 

I don't want to be a complainer.  How do I be a wife that doesn't complain all the time?  Most people spend Thanksgiving, giving thanks for what they have.  It's a day to count your blessings.  What if I thought of everyday as if it was Thanksgiving? (Without the food of course.  That would just lead to a much fatter me.)  If I had that attitude would I make it through the day appreciating it more?  Maybe I am on to something.  It seems so simple.

 

Since the day my husband told me I complain a lot, I have tried to pay more attention to my actions.  I don't always get it right.  It's hard to not complain when laundry is never ending, pee is always all over the place in the bathroom, dishes always need to be done, the kid upstairs turns his music up too loud, Joe is home late and I am juggling dinner and homework and baths, the kids are screaming through the house playing some weird game they just made up....I'm exhausted just typing it!  Instead of complaining I want to focus on the positives.  The things I complain about are the things I am most thankful for!  How weird is that? 

 

I am now going to watch Buddy the Elf and do some laughing.  Surely I can make it through the movie without reverting to my old ways.  I am even going to enjoy a piece of pie, happily munching the crust that Joe burned!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!