150 Secrets to a Happy Wife

by Joe Gumm

Overview

Joe Gumm knows how to please his wife—but that's only because he learned the hard way, by doing lots of stupid things first. Now he's giving men funny and poignant ideas to keep them out of the doghouse for good and remind women every day why they love their guys so much.

Written in a comedic tone, guaranteed to have wives and husbands laughing together and nodding in recognition, Romancing Mommy conquers the topic of how couples disconnect, especially after the kids are born, and more importantly how to reconnect through teamwork, compassion, humor, and romance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402253294
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	04/01/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	534,427
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Joe Gumm is an experienced sports broadcaster who worked as a reporter/anchor at ESPN for eight years. He has also worked for the USA Radio Network, and as a public address announcer for the Dallas Mavericks, NASCAR and more. He lives in Texas with his wife and two daughters.

Joe Gumm has been around the Dallas/Fort Worth sports scene his entire life. Born and reared in the area, he became a huge sports fan while a tot in preschool. With a lack of athletic ability and zero coordination, he knew he would never be good enough to play in college or the pros, so he tried his hand at sports reporting.

After graduating form the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in Broadcast Communications, Joe spent several years at the USA Radio Network as a sports anchor and news producer. He then joined the team of ESPN Radio 103.3 FM in Dallas shortly after their debut on the air in the Metroplex. It was there that Joe honed his writing skills and ventured out into the world as a hard-core sports reporter using his unusually loud voice that can be heard up to a mile away. After several years covering various athletes and their teams he decided to write about something more important than salary caps, balls and strikes, and touchdowns. He decided to write about marriage and family.

When not writing or covering a game in Dallas/Fort Worth, Joe is busy changing diapers, playing with Barbies®, watching Disney movies and hanging out at Chuck E Cheese with his wife and two daughters.

Learn more or contact Joe by visiting www.romancingmommy.com

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction xiii

1 Required Reading for Future Sons-in-Law 1

2 Small Brains, Big Mouths 17

3 "I'm Not Fat; I'm Just Big Boned." Nope, You're Fat. 25

4 HELP! My Husband Looks Like Shrek 49

5 How to Marry out of Your League 65

6 How to Talk with One Foot in Your Mouth 83

7 Lazy Is as Lazy Does 99

8 Pretty Major Stuff 117

9 Quit Acting like You're "The Man" and Actually Be "The Man" 133

10 After You're Done, Do More 149

11 Father or Friend? 163

12 Do You Still Like Me? Yes () No () Check One 179

13 Things to Say to Your Wife If You Want to Die Immediately 193

About the Author 207

Editorial Reviews

Embracing the stereotype of the husband as a clueless, insensitive dolt and the wife as an endlessly patient, effective yet marginalized mom at the helm of a busy household, Gumm returns with an update to his 2006 guide (Romancing Mommy) full of humorous and pragmatic instruction. The titular secrets are no mystery; they're common-sense. Gumm's tips on being a loving husband and dad (really, just a normal human being) include filling her car with gas, using a glass, flushing the toilet, and reading to your children. This is Husbandry for Dummies, and it's debatable whether men—Gumm's target audience—will listen. But taken en masse, and taken seriously by the husband who wants to be better, these tips would surely result in more respect and courtesy. A 21st-century Art of Courtly Love this is not, and it's surprisingly unkempt for an updated edition, but credit is due: if small gestures make a happy marriage, then Gumm is on to something. If they don't, and he's not, at least he‘ll have readers laughing. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

""Joe Gumm is so honest about his experiences in life. Husbands and wives would both benefit from reading it."" - Abbie Reviews

""With the help of Joe Gumm's book, 150 Secrets to a Happy Wife, you may find yourself out of the marital doghouse and off the uncomfortable couch sooner than you ever thought possible."" - Mom Central

""Wish it was something they had to read before wedding vows could be uttered!"" - Crazed Mind

""Chock-full of ways to make us mommies happy! What a wonderful book."" - SheKnows

""Any husband will get some great ideas that will only help your relationship with your wife! So don't wait, read this today!"" - Dad of Divas

""Although much of the book comes from a lighthearted and humorous tone, there are important messages about how to reconnect as a couple through teamwork, romance and compassion."" - Baby Dickey's Giveaway

""150 Secrets to a Happy Wife helps to make lives easier for both husbands and wives, and should also be read by single men, ready to settle down."" - Happy Deal - Happy Day

"A small thing that can go a long way in building as stronger relationship."

"A great starting point for anyone looking to revive or maintain their relationship and the advice is funny, sweet and personal."

"Ladies: Read it, and share the secrets with the man in your life. Or make him read it."

From the Publisher