Opposites

I married a man who has jumped out of a plane in his time. I on the other hand, keep myself firmly belted in whenever I’m not on solid ground.

He is tall and athletic; I am small and, well, just small.

He likes football and rugby and golf. I like shopping and make-up and shoes.

He’s a get up and go type of guy, whereas I like to think about things, a lot, before I act.

He’s not afraid to take a risk, while it might be a safe bet to call me risk-averse.

He buys lotto tickets and I don’t (I’m waiting for him to win and split the money with me)

When he plays football, he scores goals. Whereas I am still scarred having been the last person chosen for two class hockey teams during PE in second year. In my defence, I hadn’t ever picked up a hockey stick before, so wasn’t going to be a great addition to either team – but still. Scarred.

He’s a try-anything guy, and I’m a not-sure-about-this girl.

Which is why when we were in Clara Lara recently, the day might have gone differently if it was left up to me. When the six-year-old asked if she could try go-karting, I would have said it’s for older kids. But her dad was there to buy her a ticket, which is how she ended up steering her way around the course with a big smile on her face.

Office Mum photo: gokarting

When the two girls wanted to go kayaking, I might have suggested we go back to the swings instead. But their dad took them out, and they tried something new – something I’ve never done myself (but I will the next time)

Office Mum photo: kayaking

When they wanted to swing across the river on a rope, I may have said they’d fall in and get wet, but their dad encouraged them, and they laughed their heads off when they landed in the water.

When they wanted to go on the water-slide, I would have said I’d run out of money. But their dad did it with them, and all three proclaimed it to be the best moment of the day.

In fact, I’m not sure we’d have gone to Clara Lara at all if it was left up to me; we’d have spent Saturday sitting in Marlay Park eating brownies from the market. And that’s a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon – but isn’t quite the memory-making, boundary-pushing adventure that we had in Clara Lara.

I married my husband not because of our differences, but rather in spite of them. And now I see the rewards – lucky kids and lucky me. Or at least that’s how I’ll feel when the World Cup is over.

Office Mum photo: out on the water

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19 thoughts on “Opposites”

    1. So true Naomi!! My husband always has to remind me that we can tidy the kitchen when we get home and to just go while the sun is shining and everyone is in the mood for a day out (though I really don’t like coming home to a mess 🙂 )

  1. Yes. My husband’s always the one who says “Let’s go downtown and see a museum” (might not sound exciting, but downtown is Washington DC and a museum is any of the amazing free Smithsonians). And sometimes I say “No, it’s far too late and they’re already tired and it would be a nightmare” and sometimes I’m right, and sometimes we go anyway, and almost always it was better than staying at home.
    Maud recently posted…What I missMy Profile

    1. I love that. Yes, it’s the same here. Even a “let’s just go out and get pizza” – I always think it’s too late and the kids will act up and they’ll be too tired, and it (as you say) almost always ends up being great. Except for the times they do act up, and I have to resist throwing an “I told you so look”

  2. Sounds like your husband and mine may be clones!! And yes, both the kids and I are the better for it, I love seeing the delight on their faces when they conquer something ‘adventurous’. That doesn’t stop me worrying though and I have been known to send ‘reminder texts’ to him when I’m at work to ‘mind the kids CAREFULLY’ ( it does drive him mental but I can’t help myself! )
    Elizabeth MacDonnell recently posted…Are We There Yet?My Profile

    1. Oh I can totally relate to the reminders to be “careful”. I always wonder if it makes any difference whatsoever but like you, I can’t help saying it. We are true mammies 🙂

    1. Really Laura – that’s mad! In fairness, mine did it a few times when he was in Australia, but those days are long gone. Your husband is a proper adventurer!

    1. That’s it – a big kid – which sometimes means an extra child in the house, but mostly in a good way 🙂

  3. My husband is everything I didn’t like in a boyfriend! The biggest difference between us is that he cannot speak ill of our kids. He believes everything they say and stands up for them all the time, blindly.
    As the years have passed he has had to deal with teenagers ,his eyes have been opened, and his heart broken. 🙂 But like you I’d not change him in any way.
    Well….. maybe some things but that’s another post. 🙂
    tric recently posted…But what are you?My Profile

    1. I love that your husband can’t speak ill of your kids – what a lovely trait 🙂 Am looking forward to the “other” post

  4. Funny, it’s probably the complete opposite in our house. My fella carries out a risk assessment for every outing. I spotted him looking for a highlighting pen the other day when making a list for our holiday. It started with the Christmas of the RTE Guide. Oh God.
    MO’D recently posted…Top 5 ways I regularly make a tit of myselfMy Profile

    1. I can make a holiday list without a highlighter BUT I would definitely need a red pen for ticking things off. And do you mean that you don’t see the RTE Guide as an essential part of every Christmas??!! (please tell me you’ve written a blog post about the Christmas of the RTE Guide)

    1. thanks Laura, yes I wonder if nature works this all out when we first meet our other-halves 🙂

    1. Thank you – he’s not the worst! Even when he’s at Chelsea Flower Show while I solo parent…

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