It’s week two in the NFL.  It’s a few weeks in to college football.  And you could care less.  While every man in your life is planning where to watch the game, what to eat during the game, which beer to drink during the game,  you are wondering when this will be over.

The bad news is that it won’t be over any time soon.  The good news is that football season does not have to be a death knell to your relationships with men in your life.  Rather than whining to your man about how much time he’s spending watching football, follow these tips to make football season work for you.

1. Make girl time.

Saturday and Sunday afternoons are great times to girl out.  Schedule time with your girlfriends who are equally as disinterested in game day.  Mimosas at noon?  That’s your version of beer and hot wings.  Hiking and talking with your best friend?  That’s more exercise than your man is getting jumping off the couch to curse the tv.  Rather than complaining to your guy about how much time he is spending watching the game, use this time to re-connect with the women you love.  If the women in your life love football, make game day your alone day.  Spend time pampering yourself.

2. Use football as currency.

Football season can work to your advantage if you learn the value of football currency.  If he wants to have the guys over for a game-day party, take note.  What will that be worth to you?  Tell him yes, that you’ll even help get food together, but after that, the house really needs a good, Fall cleaning.  If you are devoting a day to his interest, ask him to devote some time to something you have wanted done for a while.  You can also use the game as currency simply by asking him questions during the game.  You are more likely to get your way while he is focused on the next play.

3.  If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

You might like football.  You might enjoy having an afternoon beer while sitting curled up with your significant other.  I’m not saying you will, but you might.  If you find yourself nagging about the game, trying to get people to do anything other than watch football, and it isn’t working, it may be time to brush up on your football knowledge.  It may even be fun to host a few football parties – they’re pretty low-maintenance (think pizza, beer…man-food).  You may find yourself enjoying the time with friends and your guy in spite of the game being played.