My husband procrastinates and our garage and yard never look nice.?

Question

It has always been this way, but how do I approach him in a way that makes him want to get things done? At his job, everybody says what a hard worker he is.

Answer 1

Hey, my hubby is the same way....and I've mowed the yard almost as many times as he has. If I want something done and I've asked nicely, if it doesn't get done and I'm capable of doing it, then I get my rearend in gear and take care of it. Usually that gets him motivated more than anything, because he knows by the time I go to do it, he's procrastinated way too much. btw, our garage is a total nightmare, and I simply stay OUT of it and chalk it up to a lost cause. I refuse to straighten that up because the minute he goes to do a 'project' it will once again be a mess, and I refuse to pick up after him under those circumstances. That would be like me getting out all my scrapbook stuff, doing a few pages, leaving it for days and weeks, hubby cleaning it up, and the next day, me doing another couple pages. Useless waste of time on the garage thing! LOL

Answer 2

You could make cleaning the garage fun and do it together! Blast the radio, drink a couple cold beers, make a sandwich run, stuff like that. If you have kids enlist them to help with the yard. Even little kids can pick up garbage and help rake. Otherwise look into hiring someone for that. It could be a teenager--a neighbor's son from down the street! My husband is also really bad about outdoor maintenance, he's just so burnt out from work that he likes to rest on the weekends.

Answer 3

I have had the same problem. I took the initiative to clean the garage a few times and when I do I make a huge pile outside of the garage so 1 he cant park in there and 2 he has to organize it and put it away or it goes in the trash. Now when I threaten to clean it up he usually will go out there and do it. If not I decide what stays and what goes. As far as the lawn, either mow it yourself or better yet hire someone to do it.

Answer 4

My home is furnished in "garage sale modern", lol. Almost everything we have, save electronics and appliances, was bought at a garage/yard sale. My husband loves them and looks for tools all the time. We usually hold a yard sale during the summer when the airport across the road has their annual air show, so that we get that traffic. (Usually our little country road is empty, except for neighbors.) But, it's time to downsize. This winter, I've given a lot of stuff away via Craig's List and plan to do even more. I'd like to have one more sale and give away a lot more than I sell, just to get rid of it all.

Answer 5

He is likely tired from working hard at his job and/or doesnt really enjoy yard and garage work. You cant really make him do it. What has worked for me though is to just start dragging things from the garage to the street. Sometimes, he will come help ( maybe afraid I will toss something he wants). lol. As far as the yard goes, maybe try having someone cut the grass( usually not too expensive if you can hire a teenage kid to do it). Maybe plant some native plants, get a new gardening hobby for yourself, etc. Good-luck.

Answer 6

Ask him if he is willing to pay a gardener to do the work. If you say it has always been like this I am afraid he is not going to change. He puts his best effort at work because this is where he gets his validation, at home he feels no need or desire to excel his manly duties. Some men work better if the wife joins him in the yard work or with cleaning out the garage. Maybe if you can present it to him as a project you and him can do together you will be able to motivate him. Good luck to you!

Answer 7

Hey Mr.-what makes you think she doesn't work?! Whats up with people always assuming that the wife is sitting at home eating bon-bons all day complaining about their husband?! Anyway, I have the same problem. I just tell him the grass looks really crappy and he usually agrees and I say "do you think you can get it done by tomarrow?" And if he says yes, it usually happens. I understand your frustration, just don't harp on him and if he stops doing stuff around the house and you are a working women too, then you stop doing stuff too. And maybe he'll realize that you both need to make an effort. Best of luck

Answer 8

Maybe he is a hard worker there because he gets appreciated for it. you know comments about how good he does. Maybe if you start commenting on the things he does do he will eventually respond to your REQUEST to do the yard. Most people tend to nag and complain about what someone is not doing instead of complimenting and appreciating what they do. And requests go lots farther than demands in a marriage, In the mean time hire a neighborhood kid to cut the grass and help you with the garage if it is really needed. Then it shows that you are willing to compromise.

Answer 9

Does he help you around the house? or you do everything in the house and he just need to take care of the garage and yard.

My experience is this comes with help me with the kids, do laundry, vacuum, clean the bath. All other work around the house.

The maintenance of the house is the responsibility of both, devide the work and if you don't have kids pick a day and do the work. After finish, take a bath and have some fun with each other.

Answer 10

Maybe he just likes working on the computer better than working on the garage and lawn. I myself threaten to hire someone to mow the yard and it usually gets done the next week. Also with the garage and lawn I start working on it myself and he usually joins me.