Q
Dear Pearl, I have an issue with my hubby. He does not cheat, he’s not an alcoholic, doesn’t look at porn, and he does not do drugs.
He’s what most people would call a good husband and father. Auntie, die gemors is that he is so bloody lazy!
The moment he wakes up he immediately starts watching TV. He does this for hours and hours.
He only stops watching when he has something to do, like going to work… actually, that’s about all that makes him stop watching.
Die ou is taatie, he watches the same movies and series over and over again! I hate it that he “plays” with the baby while the TV is on blaring.
Maybe I am being silly, but I’m now already worrying that our child will be the same, because the laaitie is also watching TV the whole time, and cries when you switch it off.
I don’t think I love my husband anymore, we never really talk. We’ve even told each other that we are not happy.
We have only been married for four years, is this TV issue a reason for divorce? We have a child together. What should I do?
From Deidre
A My dear Deidre, how long has your hubby been such a luigat? Has it always been this way, or did it start recently?
If he’s always been a TV-kop, you only have yourself to blame, because you mos knew what you were getting into.
But if this is a new thing, then it means there’s a problem and something caused him to lose interest in you and focus on the TV instead.
You are right to be worried that your child might become like his daddy, a flippen screen-junkie who just wants to watch TV.
Our children learn from our behaviour. And if you are letting a laaitie from a young age just stare at the TV, he is going to keep on doing that.
The poor child will never learn how to interact with people, how to keep himself busy, play outside.
So as a start, it’s going to be on you to stimulate your baby, without using a small screen.
Early childhood development is important, and it can’t happen in front of the TV.
Next problem, your lazy hubby.
It sounds to Auntie like the two of you have grown bored with each other, but what have you done about it?
It’s time for a serious talk about what’s going on. This is not to say that your marriage is over. Maybe you two have just hit a slump, it happens to more people than you know.
A baby puts strain on a relationship, and while you are busy with the laaitie, maybe you two have not had enough time for each other. Make some effort and try to reconnect.
Even if it’s just for one night a week, get a babysitter, or ask a family member of friend to look after the laaitie, and then you two go on a date for a bit of alone time.