How to persuade spouse you must go to a meet?

Well, I'm glad I'm married to a man that just wants me to do anything I want to do, travel included, that makes me happy. He is a non-swimmer but knows that water and swimming are my life and has been my life since age 7 or 8. And he's more than happy to let me fly anywhere to attend a swim function. The reason is this: if I'm happy, then he'll be happy. And this philosophy also works both ways. He wanted to go to the Indy 500 with his brother from California but didn't want to leave me alone. I helped him pack and happily drove him to the airport. The bottom line here was this: we want to make one another happy and sometimes that means doing things separately because we don't share the same love for one another's interests. :cheerleader:

Well, I'm glad I'm married to a man that just wants me to do anything I want to do, travel included, that makes me happy. He is a non-swimmer but knows that water and swimming are my life and has been my life since age 7 or 8. And he's more than happy to let me fly anywhere to attend a swim function. The reason is this: if I'm happy, then he'll be happy. And this philosophy also works both ways. He wanted to go to the Indy 500 with his brother from California but didn't want to leave me alone. I helped him pack and happily drove him to the airport. The bottom line here was this: we want to make one another happy and sometimes that means doing things separately because we don't share the same love for one another's interests. :cheerleader: So cool Donna. Ditto for me too. Married a nonswimmer, but he goes with me to all my travel meets. I'm guessing that this could change the longer we are together (been together 10 yrs). . . I hope not! But your story reminds me of the saying - A Happy Wife Makes for a Happy Life.

And this theory is why I'm betting I will go! We'll see. But, er, "just wants you to do anything you want to do"?! Hmmm.... anything? (I would also note that you two are kid-less and therefore different rules apply.) Fort, I think you will be able to go!! :cheerleader: Let us know how it works out. Yea. Kid-less. And the being able to "do anything" can be a curse at times in our land of excess. I think that's another major reason as to why I swim. Keeps me grounded, disciplined. It's a bit of a reality check. Last I checked a stellar swim won't just fall into my lap. Too bad! :D

Fort, don't remember when or where I mentioned this, but Dana said that the SCM meet near me in late Jan/early Feb is well run. I just don't know what level of competition you'd find, but Dana would. I haven't had this problem (yet) as Mr. Ensignada is thrilled I've found something I like. Plus, in the back of his mind, he knows how many conferences of his I've stayed home with a young child for, including the one he took 2 years ago to Hawaii, where he called me from his oceanfront balcony to ask if I could hear the waves. Oh, yeah. I gotta lotta meets comin' to me.

My usms meet experiences have been strictly local. Me too this year. Mr. Fort very helpfully suggested that I might swim in the Tom Dolan meet the weekend before with Mini-Fort. I told him I was way too slow and couldn't make any of the QTs. But I will cheer for Jeff Roddin. If Peg and Stud want to babysit on Friday whilst I'm hopefully flying to Boston, that'd be lovely. Don't let Fortson have any of those yeunglings please. Don't think I've been "wifed" yet Maui Mike, but I will remember that phrase!

If he is genuinely irritated by the idea of your travel meet, then you should not press the issue. Put yourself in his shoes before you ask again would be my advice. Aside from that, consider a compromise of sorts. You go to the meet and he gets something that he has been wanting to do..or buy him a new M5. He has a cool car. He is also going to the Head of the Charles in Boston in October sans family. Rocky: Can't just blast off and "do it" with the 3 kids, however tempting that seems at times. Hmmm.....

He is also going to the Head of the Charles in Boston in October sans family. Rocky: Can't just blast off and "do it" with the 3 kids, however tempting that seems at times. Hmmm..... What goes around, comes around. He goes to Head of the Charles (whatever the heck that is) regatta - I looked it up, and you get to go to the meet. I'll bet your paycheck there is more beverage consumption at his deal than there will be at yours.

Tell him if you can't work it out that he'll have to drive your mini-van for the next year so you can drive his cool car.

Well, I'm glad I'm married to a man that just wants me to do anything I want to do, travel included, that makes me happy. He is a non-swimmer but knows that water and swimming are my life and has been my life since age 7 or 8. And he's more than happy to let me fly anywhere to attend a swim function. The reason is this: if I'm happy, then he'll be happy. And this philosophy also works both ways. He wanted to go to the Indy 500 with his brother from California but didn't want to leave me alone. I helped him pack and happily drove him to the airport. The bottom line here was this: we want to make one another happy and sometimes that means doing things separately because we don't share the same love for one another's interests. :cheerleader: Very nice. We share the same philosophy. My wife isn't much of a swimming fan...and likewise I can't be dragged into a dance studio...unless there was a buffet involved. Kids make the traveling however a little bit of a challenge as far as the away meets. My usms meet experiences have been strictly local.

I took 35 year break from swimming and spent a couple decades of that time racing outrigger canoes. Guys got a little too serious about the sport and we'd occassionaly have a teammate get "wifed." But as the women's side of the sport grew, the gals got just as competitive and serious. And when their spouse was less than understanding the phrase evolved, somewhat, into "she got wifed."