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- A Dad’s Take on “Man Colds”: It’s Not Our Fault You Enjoy Pampering Us
Updated: Jan. 17, 2016
Originally Published: Jan. 16, 2016
Recently, I stirred up some chatter on social media. I shared a lighthearted post (just a heads-up: humor is my go-to on Facebook, and honestly, it’s how I navigate life too) about how my partner, Sarah, tends to our son when he’s feeling under the weather. In contrast, when I’m sick, she transforms from nurturing to fierce—think lioness, not mama bear. Suddenly, all I hear is how I’m being needy, whiny, and need to “man up.”
Some of the women who viewed my post were a bit taken aback, but I stand by my original observation: Women are all about caring for their sick kids, but when it comes to their adult partners? Not so much. And they often don’t realize they’re part of the problem.
I truly appreciate the way Sarah looks after our son. Watching her shower him with love makes me think there’s an endless supply of affection in the world. Sure, he’s at that age where patience is tested daily—if not our love—yet we’re still far from the struggles of adolescence. At this stage, he’s less of a fully formed person and more of a delightful little bundle of our genes. So, he gets a pass.
Even when he throws a tantrum that could rival a hurricane, the moment he coughs, her maternal instincts kick in, and it’s time for snuggles and soup. I’m not criticizing; my mom did the same for me, and she even took care of me last week during Thanksgiving. That nurturing instinct is one of the beautiful things about having a woman in your life. Sarah’s affection for our son reminds me of my mother—and I should probably stop here before I dig myself a hole.
However, having grown up with such an amazing mom, I found myself drawn to a partner with similar nurturing qualities. I know, I know—I’m treading on thin ice. But it’s true! If I wasn’t accustomed to a certain level of care… oh boy, let’s just move on.
The bottom line? If you stop treating us like helpless babies, maybe we won’t expect the same care as grown men. Just because biology might give women a natural inclination to nurture (Is that a fact? Science was never my strong suit) doesn’t mean it’s our fault that we enjoy being cared for. You set the standard as mothers, and then expect us to go cold turkey as adults? Not happening!
And no, I can’t explain why women don’t seem as vulnerable when they’re sick (there’s a “Man Flu” theory floating around), but it’s probably because daughters don’t get the same level of doting from their moms as sons do. Just a thought—I’m not saying it’s gospel!
Yes, maybe we men could benefit from a little less whining and a bit more resilience since we’re adults capable of taking care of ourselves. But sometimes, a guy just wants to be tucked in, fed soup, and allowed to feel a bit coddled. Okay, I might be oversharing here!
This article was originally published on Jan. 16, 2016.
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Summary:
In this humorous take, Jake Anderson addresses the differences in how women nurture their children versus their adult partners when sick. He appreciates his wife’s care for their son while jokingly lamenting the lack of similar attention when he’s ill. The article highlights societal expectations and the nurturing roles women often play, concluding that men may naturally desire that same level of care even as adults.