Tips to get Help from Your Spouse during Thanksgiving

This month’s Ask Coach Kathy’s question is about how to get help from your spouse for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a couple of weeks away and I’m dreading it. We always have a house full of friends and relatives, which I love. What I don’t love is feeling like a nag to try to get my husband to help me. I need help cleaning the turkey, setting up tables, carving the Turkey, and breaking down tables. I know guests would help, but I don’t want to ask.

Why can’t my husband do it?!

You wouldn’t think a request to do a list of things would cause a problem, but it can. Here are some ideas for you that might aid in getting your husband’s help:

1. Make your request sooner rather than later. Waiting until the night before or morning of the holiday can feel overwhelming for both of you.
2. Make a list of 5 of the most important things you would like done and ask your husband to pick three of them to do. Let him choose. Start small and add one more for next year.
3. Attach a timeline to each of the things your husband is willing to do, so that he is clear on the deadline.
4. When he does the things you’ve asked him to do, show him appreciation, especially on Thanksgiving.

Do you have sensitive issues in your relationships that you need help with? Ask Coach Kathy about it. Submit your question below.