What better day than Valentine’s Day to address this issue!

Before I get into what 8-year-old boys know, I want to tell you about two honest-to-goodness real live men friends of mine, even though they just don’t get it, when it comes to greeting cards.

Casestudy One: Mature Man Doesn’t Get It:  He’s a very handsome, probably fifty-ish insurance guy with a nationally-known company.  When I first went into the card business, I called him to show him the custom card system I’d discovered. He went through the process of sending a card to his then girlfriend. They had just returned from a Florida vacation.

I don’t know what he wrote in his greeting card, but when I called him back the next week to see what his girlfriend thought of the card he sent, he was deliriously happy.

“I don’t understand it,” he said laughing. “She was so excited. She loved it! I don’t know what I did. I really like to use it.”

Great!

Then in ran his secretary, almost screaming, “No, no,” I could hear her saying. “(Company Name) has it’s own card system and the cards are much cheaper. Don’t do that!”  So much for words from old secretaries. Maybe she’s his mother, but then again, if that were the case,  he would have signed up on the spot.  Not to say he’s oppositional or anything.

But he totally missed the point of the power of appreciative, dynamic, expressive, loving, affirming greeting cards. I’m sure his insurance company doesn’t carry I sure had a great time on our get-a-way together alone, without the kids, you sexy babe!

Some people don’t learn from their mistakes. Here’s a guy didn’t learn from his greeting card success. Maybe that’s why he’s been married a few times. I don’t know.

Casestudy Two: Young Married Man Doesn’t Get It

He’s a very handsome, extremely-well groomed entrepreneur. He’e been married just a little over a year.  I had a meeting with him after a networking meeting at a restaurant.

He enjoyed talking about his relationships with other group members. He loved having a listening ear from someone in the healthcare service, because he had a product for that industry.

He especially loved talking about his young wife, who continually puzzled him. “Being married is sure different from dating,” he said. “What is it with you women?  She is always leaving lovey, greeting cards around for me to find. She must have spent a small fortune…just on greeting cards.  She doesn’t have to do that!” he stammered.

“Well, do you send her greeting cards back?” I asked.

“I can’t do that,” he replied bluntly, sticking out his manly chin.

“Are you afraid Arnold Schwarzenegger would call you a girlie man, if you sent your wife a greeting card?” I asked.  “I’ll help you and you can send a greeting card to your wife for free.”

“Give me the website and I’ll do it later,” he said. “Besides, my company has a greeting card system, too.”

I’m sure they carried I’m sure glad I married suc a special, beautiful woman. He never went to the website to send her a card.

Some men learn from their mistakes, and some men don’t learn to see missed opportunities that sending an unexpected greeting card could bring, even when it stares them in the face.

Do you know what a card from that husband to that wife on a regular or even unexpected card basis would have done for their relationship?  I hope he figures it out.

I know a man who ended up divorced because his wife refused to make him a peanut butter sandwich for lunch.  Insane?  Maybe, but little things — like a greeting card — can sure make a difference.

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Now that you know just a few things that grown men don’t know, lets look at what eight-year-old boys have got down pat.

I have known a lot of 8-year-old boys in my lifetime. In my husband’s office, when the kids have to wait in the reception area, while he meets with their parents, he asks them to babysit me.  Believe me, I have been babysat by the good, and the bad when it comes to 8-year-old boys.

The thing I like most about eight-year-old boys is that they are still enough kids to want to play. That helps when they babysit you. They are willing color or draw. Give them a blank piece of paper and some crayons or even a pen or pencil, and they are off–creating pictures, designing greeting cards, drawing houses and family members, lots of hearts and clouds and birds.

Almost always, they write “To MOM” at the top. Somewhere between the stick people and the dog they find room to write their name. They know what they will soon forget in a couple of years; when momma is happy, everyone is happy.

These prepubescent males are so proud of their little greeting cards, some even want to interrupt the meeting to show mom their pictures. When their moms finally emerge from the meeting, you couldn’t restrain these eight-year-old boys with chains. Moms usually smile and acknowledge their artsy, custom greeting card.

For a brief moment they have won the pleasure of the most important woman in their lives. They are joyful and excited to have pleased, because we all know that it doesn’t take too long for an eight-year-old boy to find his way into something that will be perceived as annoying at best.

LESSON FOR MEN WHO KNEW BUT FORGOT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPRESSING APPRECIATION:

Remember her with a greeting card or a special treat or a single rose in the good times and especially in the tough times.  The good thing about a card is that it won’t wilt or be gobbled up. Flowers always disappoint in the long run, because women hang on to them too long. Then it’s like a burial. Goodies put on weight.  Greeting cards are for keeping. So send her a card…

• When she’s overwhelmed by kids, work, your family, her family, or this economy.
• When she’s had a success…anywhere in her life.
• When she’s had a failure…anywhere in her life.
• Let her know you appreciate her.
• Remind her how much you love her.
• Tell her I’m Sorry, when you goof up, and, by the way, who doesn’t.
• Don’t let Valentine’s Day be the only time during the year you send her a card. (Send her one on me right now and schedule one for sometime in the future–just because. Click HERE.

LESSON FOR WOMEN WHO ARE INVOLVED WITH MEN WHO FORGOT WHAT THEY KNEW:

Remember to send him a card, acknowledge his efforts in good times and especially in bad times.

• When he’s overwhelmed by your kids, his kids, honey-do lists, work, your family, his family, or this economy.
• When he’s had a success…anywhere in his life.
• When he’s had a failure…anywhere in his life, especially if it was in front of others or even at the bowling alley.
• Let him know you appreciate him for all he’s done for you (and the kids).
• Remind him how much you love him.
• Tell him I’m Sorry, when you goof up, and, by the way, who doesn’t.
• Don’t let Valentine’s Day be the only time of the year you send him a card. (Send him one on me right now and schedule one for sometime in the future–just because. Click HERE.)
• Let him know how much it means to you when he remembers you or does something special. Tell him over and over how much you enjoyed the greeting

In the marital arena, appreciation wins out over nagging or complaining everytime. Sometimes what ever you want, even happens. The simplest, most, economical way to show appreciation is by taking one minute out of your life at work or at your home computer and sending a thoughtful greeting card.  Try it, you’ll like it! Click on the banner, after you click HERE.

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