He’s Retiring! What Happens Now?

Routines and roles—for both of you—will undergo changes. Partner well with him to renegotiate roles and responsibilities.

Happy couples are made up of husbands and wives who are good teammates for their spouses. Adjusting to a new routine and renegotiating responsibilities in your home will require being good teammates for each other. If he takes on more tasks around the house, be prepared to feel some frustration if you’ve been primarily in charge of the home. You might find it hard giving up that control. Is he finding “better” ways to do things? Realize that your way is not the only way (shocking, I know!)

Have patience and look on the bright side—you’re getting more help with the chores! But on the flip side, be willing to speak up and stand firm if he doesn’t do more now that he is able. (You arrive home from a long, hectic workday and he’s watching TV, waiting for you to cook dinner, and you think: Um, no . . . we need to figure this out!) Work out an equitable distribution of responsibilities. Then be appreciative of his contributions. Even if he doesn’t do a chore the way you would have, be happy with it and express your gratitude. Knowing he’s made you happy is extremely important to your man and will, in turn, make him happy. That is a friction reducer right there!