Originally Posted by Cyranoak

...one thing I'll share is this-- as a man I'm often intimidated to tell my wife, adult daughter, and other female relatives that I'm proud of them for fear it will feel or sound sexist or patronizing. Other times, they succeed at something I simply knew they would and never even entertained the idea that they wouldn't-- that's sometimes where I forget to acknowledge it, or where I'm afraid saying it for the reasons above.

For this same reason I sometimes decline to help with things or explain things when I'm unclear about how it will be perceived by these women I love and respect in the context of our relationship and/or sexism. With me and mine, however, I do know that if they get irritated or upset I'm going to hear about it so I always get a chance to apologize or help.

Congratulations to you!

Cyranoak