Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

How do you occupy a Husband.

(58 Posts)
MiniMoon Mon 06-May-19 14:01:54

I need help! My DH had keyhole surgery to repair 2 hernias last Tuesday. He is driving me to drink!!
He is so active, that this imposed period of rest and recuperation is making him stir crazy.
He's not a great reader, and the tv isn't of much interest to him. His hobby is gardening, but he can't do that because it involves lifting. He's not allowed to drive for another few days so he can't take himself off anywhere. He has turned into the speaking clock ?.
Has anyone got any ideas about how he can occupy himself.
I offered to teach him crochet, but that idea got short shrift! Help!!

jura2 Tue 07-May-19 11:55:49

LOL 24/7?

lovebooks Tue 07-May-19 11:52:22

Erotically.

Dillyduck Tue 07-May-19 11:38:37

Definitely take this opportunity for him to help with cooking. He can still peel potatoes, carrots, chop cabbage, stir meat etc. etc. all within his capabilities. He can make his own tea and coffee, you are a wife not a waitress service.
However, having had major abdominal surgery (a friend called it a "guts out" op (!) the best thing he can do is walk! With coaxing from my husband, I could walk 2 miles within 3 weeks of my op, and felt better after each walk as any fluid/puffiness goes down when you walk, as it gets the circulation going. So why don't you BOTH go for a walk together?

cassandra264 Tue 07-May-19 11:20:41

My partner has been in the same boat, health wise. He has been doing up a much loved dolls house for our GC which has been in the family for 75 years and needed an update. He has had lots of fun planning new frontages, lighting and bathrooms - and consults with the present owner at every stage.

Helen2806 Tue 07-May-19 11:06:07

Marquetry, kept my very active husband busy for ages. And you get something nice to display at the end.

BradfordLass72 Tue 07-May-19 03:18:10

PS: I did mean working it out on paper, whilst recuperating, not actually going out there and digging !

BradfordLass72 Tue 07-May-19 03:17:12

Maybe he can re-design a bit of the garden?

I don't know how big your acreage is but when I was a gardener, I had to move things most years as the soil got exhausted (I usually put spuds and clover in smile.)

I particularly loved designing a rockery and choosing what plants to put in. I got handsome young men to bring in the rocks - I just did the good bit and planted to flowers. It was only 2m by 1m but I loved it.

Charleygirl5 Mon 06-May-19 22:19:00

What about cooking or does he need a map to find the kitchen?

Urmstongran Mon 06-May-19 21:57:40

Sounds as though you’ve come up with an answer yourself MiniMoon
Well done.
Hope your husband continues to recuperate well.

MiniMoon Mon 06-May-19 21:14:13

It's his birthday tomorrow. I'm taking him out to meet his sisters at a local garden centre. Afterwards we might go for lunch, to the pub that our son is running with his partner.
That will make a change of scenery for him.
He's actually doing very well. No analgesics needed today. And it's only a week since his operation.

Urmstongran Mon 06-May-19 20:08:39

eazybee was thinking sexy thoughts ..... as I was hehe!
?

Happychops Mon 06-May-19 20:00:58

Perhaps planting cuttings in pots, so they could be sold in a charity shop might help. This might give him some satisfaction of helping others and he wouldn’t be lifting. If you drive you could deliver them and he would also get to chat to the people who would be selling them and could even offer advise. I hope his grumpiness improves. Good luck

womblekelly Mon 06-May-19 19:54:43

Box sets .... just get him info,veg with a box set .. we have been busy catching up with line of duty captivating

hugshelp Mon 06-May-19 19:44:33

Seed catalogues to browse or gardening mags to read? An audio book?

ninathenana Mon 06-May-19 18:37:25

easybee

Why is this so funny ?

KatyK Mon 06-May-19 18:37:16

I wouldn't have a problem. Just put non-stop football on TV and he would be happy.

Telly Mon 06-May-19 18:22:43

Brain training apps? Might be worth a shot!

Nannyxthree Mon 06-May-19 17:08:15

If you are able to drive you could plan some outings to gardens so he can get ideas for when he is better. If you are not able to drive a local coach company might be offering trips to same.

eazybee Mon 06-May-19 15:05:42

smile wink grin blush

J52 Mon 06-May-19 14:38:02

There are quiz books devoted to the topic of gardening. Perhaps they would keep him amused and might increase his knowledge.

ninathenana Mon 06-May-19 14:26:48

DH loves painting by numbers. He can't draw a straight line but will happily spend 2-3 hrs at a time on this.
He buys quiet sophisticated ones on line.

giulia Mon 06-May-19 14:20:35

glammanana I think your idea is brilliant! I have boxes of old photos. If my husband gets chairbound for some reason Iwill suggest this to him!

Oldandverygrey Mon 06-May-19 14:18:55

Perhaps a crossword book may help him to pass the time.

MiniMoon Mon 06-May-19 14:18:40

He's been out in the greenhouse and potted up everything that needed it. I'll remind him about his tomato seedlings on the kitchen window sill, the look big enough to prick out.
He doesn't care for puzzles either, if he did I'd have given him plenty to be going on with. As for word games, he's rather dyslexic! Thanks for the suggestion though.

glammanana Mon 06-May-19 14:13:52

Can you find him a box of older photographs (if you have any) and get him to catalogue them into order in some albums/PC etc.I did this when my OH had surgery and couldn't keep himself still for 5 mins.