Last week I had the kids in my CTR 5 class draw pictures of something they could do to be of service to other people. I contributed and drew this picture of me helping Josh with the dishes (I know that the perspective on the sink is a little off, but I'm a psychologist and not an artist).
One of the little boys said, "But you do dishes all of the time." I replied, "Clearly you don't know how things work in my house, kid." I got a kick out of that.
Josh does most of the everyday chores such as washing the dishes, cooking, taking out the trash, and cleaning the cat box. I'm not sure exactly how I got out of these things except that if I was to be in charge of food production we would be eating Red Vines, turkey bologna, and pumpkin ice cream for every meal and if I had to be in charge of the cat box we would no longer have two cats.
In my defense, I vacuum, do my own laundry, and clean the bathrooms. So, while our division of labor may not be balanced, it's not completely unfair. Also, I do help out with the dishes every once in awhile (just not as often as I should, I know).
I took some artistic license with my outfit in this drawing. When I imagine myself doing anything domestic, I always picture myself in a 1950s housewife dress with matching heels. It puts some of the glamour back into scrubbing baked-on food bits. This picture is currently taped to our refrigerator to remind me of the type of woman I could have been (in other words: helpful).
7 comments:
Was it my kid? We also have an interesting division of duties around here. I do everything and anything I don't get to, Zan does. Hee Hee. Somedays that's an awful lot....what am I saying? Most days....wrong again, everyday.
The division of chores in our home is as follows: I do everything and anything I don't get to dosen't EVER get done. For example, I didn't get the folding of the laundry for a couple weeks and the result was 3 weeks worth of folding piling up on the floor of our bedroom and then Cory would just put what he needed from the pile.
There you go, shattering their world view :)
Jobs are divided up in our house in non-traditional ways, too; we just do whatever works for that day. It's not too unusual for me to be helping the kids with homework and cooking dinner while my wife is doing yardwork or fixing something on the car... But proportionally, my wife does everything and we try to remember to help as much as we can, but I'm sure it could be better.
Wait, I'm confused, I'm supposed to be doing chores? Ok I'm beginning to understand why they house is always such a dump. And laundry? I'm supposed to do that too. Nope, all I do is follow Bennett around all day and watch TV. I'm awesome at this "wife/mother" thing.
I think you have a great balance, sounds like our house for the most part. Not too uncommon really, although I would have to say I pull most of the household duty weight.
Matt and I split the chores pretty evenly too. Sometimes it just works out that he's doing the dishes while I'm getting the kiddos ready for bed and sometimes I'm doing dishes while he's helping with homework. I am so grateful to have a husband that is so involved. I know I am one lucky chica. It sounds like you and Josh have it all worked out. Maybe if you'd actually put the dress and heels on you would feel like scrubbing the dishes??
Em,
Do you remember when you got me that 1950s housewife book? I think it was a gift for Christmas right after I got married. Your comment about being dressed as a 1950 housewife in your crayon drawing just made me think of that.
Oh, and by the way- I may be a housewife, but I am far from being the classic 1950s housewife. The really funny part is that I kinda wish I could be that type of housewife. My cleaning and cooking and budgeting skills would have to increase dramatically- in other words, it will never happen, but when I think of myself doing the dishes (which I actually end up doing quite often), I usually picture myself dressed as a 1950's housewife, or at least I will from now on. : ) I do wear that apron that I got at your wedding shower as often as I can. I feel much more domestic and Jordan is always embarrassed. : )
Abby
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