(YK from Yokohama/Male/30s/Office Worker)
We have two daughters, one is a newborn and the other is a 2 year old. I have been doing my best to help the laundry or preparing meals to support my wife who is always busy with the housework. She always thanked me, but she seemed somewhat unsatisfied.
One day, studying the teachings, it struck me that what I have been doing was just to satisfy myself, not thinking about what is important for her or what she really wanted. I realized that my focus should have been on her needs, instead of what kind of support “I” wanted to give. Looking back, I may have provided unappreciated support, and it may have gotten in her way.
Then on, I started to make conversations to ask my wife for what she wanted. With such a simple thing, my wife surprisingly became more pleased, and expressed her thankfulness which made me a lot happier than before. I finally understood the importance of the conversation between couples, which Kami always teaches us.