I have realised that there are generations of men, raised by women like me who have no need for a hammer, a screwdriver or a saw, because women can do everything, writes Wendyl Nissen.

Holidays can be a stressful time for supportive wives. Unlike the rest of the family, we still have mouths to feed, laundry to wash and floors to clean.

I lost in a flurry of gym training and not drinking or eating much last year have found their way safely back to my hips and stomach.

When I began writing this column seven months ago, the idea was that through changing my life to be a more supportive wife, I would address some of the issues facing women today.

In New Zealand we have our fair share of adventurers and the wives who go with them. And I'm sure they, too, are pesterers.

One of the greatest things to support the supportive wife was the advent of machines to help with all her housework.

I know many women who get "a bit of Botox" every three months. I like the way they say "a bit" as if to minimise the act. Like they're just taking a teeny weeny bit of poison.

There's a lot of blaming going on in feminist circles directed towards perfume. In particular the iconic 70s ads for Charlie perfume, which I grew up with.

Being a supportive wife is not all about doing the housework and cooking. It's also about dealing with your husband's stress.

As part of my supportive wife challenge, I have been working on not being a bitch. Most women possess the ability to bitch in various strengths.

Sausages are always a bit of a gamble. How much meat is in them? Which meat? And what is the rest of the sausage made of?

Referring to a woman by the colour of her hair is at best demeaning and at worst plain rude.

I didn't notice the looks passing between my husband and daughter until I had finished cleaning the ceiling, the walls, the window frames, the door frames and the skirting boards of my bedroom.

The bob is a sure-fire symbol of the supportive wife, although in the case of the Remuera bob, the supported wife.

It comes as no surprise to this supportive wife that women still do two-thirds of the housework, even in homes where they are the main breadwinner.

'If you think I'm mending smelly old man's undies you've got another thing coming.' Wendyl's mending duties go a little too far.

Sometimes, especially in the summer months at the beach, I think about pubic hair and the trend for the past decade which has seen women remove it all.

It's now six weeks since I began my year-long challenge to be a supportive wife, spending more time cooking, cleaning and caring for the man in my life.

"Bloody tea-towel, stupid pot, ridiculous dishes," I muttered before throwing the half-clean pot back in the sink and stomping off to the bedroom.

'I'm going to be a supportive wife," I said to my husband. "For a year," I added by way of an insurance policy.

Wendyl Nissen recounts her memories of the late Sir Paul Holmes.

Wendyl Nissen is in cruise control.

Wendyl Nissen shares her worst fear.