Husband Needs a Break

My husband works outside, so when he comes home all dirty and sweaty, I ask him to call me about 5 minutes before he gets home. I start a bath for him (he prefers a bath to a shower; don't ask me why!) and have his beverage of choice and a towel sitting on the edge of the tub. While he's in the tub, I prepare him a snack or lunch (depending on what time he comes home) and then sit in the bathroom floor and visit with him while he finishes his bath (I let him initiate the conversation and we talk about whatever he wants to.) When he gets out of the bath, I leave him alone for 30 minutes or an hour to check his email, watch TV and decompress. By that time, he's ready for more company. You don't have to have money to make your husband happy; just creativity and a whole lotta love.

I agree with Debi. Just leave the house with the kids for as long as possible!

If he has been working those kind of hours he would probably be happy just staying at home. I wouldn't give him any "honey do's" and would let him do what he wants. If he trys to do work around the house, if it is something you can do or is something not pressing I would let him know. I would keep the kids busy so they aren't all over him and let him iniate his time with the kids. The best idea is to let him do what he wants and at the first of the list sounds like should be rest :)

Put his favorite dinner in the crockpot so he can smell it throughout the day and take the kids to an indoor play area so he can have an hour of quiet time. After dinner have him sit in his favorite chair with his beverage of choice- and let him watch TV or a movie or whatever. Just give him the option of interacting with the kids or not. Some dads realx by playing w/ kids, others want to just sit for awhile.
Hope this helps- I think it is awesome that you are thinking about your husband like this! :-)

I agree with leaving the house for the rest of the day. Take the kids anywhere, visit different McDonalds play places all day, just get out. But leave him some food already prepared. It'll be great for him to be home alone and relaxed with no one expecting anything from him. Don't forget to leave him a note. Good Luck!

Agree with all the other advice. Have one more thing to add: how about a back massage after the kids are down for the night? Or you could even do his feet (I know that sounds stinky but it's not). You just ask him to wash his feet and then you use lotion and give him a relaxing foot massage.