Article posted Wednesday, August 29, 2012 9:49am

Dear Mary Pat,

I’m at my wits end, and football season has hardly begun. Morning, noon, and night, my husband is all football. ESPN highlights are on at 7 am, he is online checking his fantasy football league after work, he is watching the games and more highlights after dinner and all day Sunday.

When it comes to football season, I feel like a low priority. How do I get him to switch off the game, his computer, and football-obsessed mind this time of year and pay a little attention to me?

Signed,

Football Widow

Ephraim, WI

Dear Football Widow,

This is obviously a passion for your husband, or as you suggested, an obsession. However, I’ve never heard of anyone successfully limiting a fan’s enthusiasm for football. It’s mind boggling that some men can rattle off the entire roster of the Dallas Cowboys football team of 1963 (while not even liking the team nor ever having set foot in Texas), yet not remember their anniversary dates or to bring home a gallon of milk. To be fair, I know some women who fit this description as well.

If I were in your shoes, I would look at the situation closely. If your husband is truly just really into football (and not into gambling which is an altogether more serious situation that may need professional help), you might want to find out why he is so into the game. Are you a fan at all? Is this something you can share a little bit with him? If you share this hobby with him, perhaps he’ll be more enthusiastic about your hobbies and interests. Also, ask him directly about setting limits to how many games he’s watching. You should not be invisible from now until the Super Bowl, and I’m sure you can come up with fair compromises, i.e., no more than two games a day, or no football during dinnertime.

Good luck,

Mary Pat