by Diane Walsh

Created on: January 23, 2009   Last Updated: March 15, 2011

I LIKE SPORTS; HE DOESN'T

First you need to understand there is nothing wrong with my husband. He has many hobbies, passions and activities. They just don't include sports. I'm the sports fanatic. There is nothing wrong with me, and I'm not alone. A recent ESPN/Chilton poll revealed 54 million women watch football. So what's wrong with supporting and watching sports?

Absolutely nothing, you just need a loving, supportive male partner. While I'm watching my current sports team, he needs to pursue his interests. That could include: music, entertainment, (TV, DVD, movies) or video games.

A lesser men would be insecure when a woman knows more statistics, players, or coaches than the masculine partner. Not my man, he's proud. He laughs as he shakes his head and retreats to his keyboard.

My man runs, hikes, bikes, swims and plays tennis. He can do these activates while I'm routing for: ARod to homer, Tiger for a hole-in-one, Williams girls for an ace, T. Brady for a completion or Bechman to score.

How do we manage? In just five easy steps.

Accept each others differences. There's no need for me to like his hobbies, as there's no need for him to sit and watch sports with me. Each one of us needs our own space and time to be doing what we like. We're individuals, just accept it.

Allow Time and Space. When he's at level 12 on his newest video game, it's not the time to discuss team standings. Just as when I'm watching the last two minutes of a tied NY Knicks/Celtics game, it's not the time to hear his newly composed love song.

Share the joy. Come together and celebrate. Hit the record button and watch the tennis match later. Enjoy the time you have to just be a couple. Don't talk about sports, or even his interests, talk about the two of you.

Appreciate the sacrifice. He's letting you and your friends yell and scream at the TV, while you eat and drink in his house. Cook him some extra wings, dip, or dessert. Let him know you did this because you thank him for the time with your gang.

Come together on a common ground. Prepare for the party together. Greet your friends together; let him know he's part of the circle even if he doesn't stay. There's always half-time to share a laugh or two. Don't completely ignore him. He's allowing you to be you and you are allowing him to be him.

Watching sports improves language skills, according to Steven Kotler's article in Psychology Today-blogs. Some of the more poignant literature references have been spoken by sports players, coaches

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