No, I’m not singing a Britney Spears song, I’m doing some self-evaluation. It seems that I’ve done it to my husband yet again. Some may remember me discussing his career move and yesterday, I had to take him to the orientation. It’s nearly a week long, and several hours away, so I took him to get settled into his hotel room.
I packed meticulously, making sure he’d have everything he needed, fussing all day until it was time to leave. I think I saw him rolling his eyes as we began packing things into the car. I should have taken note.
Apparently, I was mothering him, or at least that’s how he felt. I really do try not to do that, because I know it’s not good. I wasn’t trying to mother –or smother- him, I just wanted to make sure he’d have what he needed and be comfortable while he was away from home. He usually likes having me pack (probably just so he doesn’t have to do it) but he seemed tense this time. I guess that should have been a clue to back off.
Well, he didn’t get angry or anything, but he did seem a little put out. He didn’t mind me helping him drag everything up two flights of stairs to his hotel room, but he didn’t seem too thrilled with me arranging everything and tidying up. He’d bring stuff in and throw it down and I’d hurry to put it away neatly.
When I straightened the crooked picture on the wall, I guess that did it. He sighed loudly, and said, “I think I got this. I’ll finish putting stuff up later.”
I had to laugh at myself and he just shook his head and smiled. He walked me down to the car and gave me a hug. “I’ll be fine, Babe.”
I know he’ll be fine. I know he can handle it, but I wanted to make it as painless as possible. I think he gets that, but apparently, I need to work a little harder at not going overboard. Not “mothering” is good advice. I guess I should pay more attention to it.
Do you ever have this problem?