What do you do all day? (For all the SAHM's) - Page 2

ILG · #11 08-30-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Absolutely. I think Kristin will tell you her present situation, while not easy, is much preferred over working 40 hrs and then sharing the household duties.

I absolutely believe that is true when there are kids in the home. After that, it might not be so bad if things are divided equally. Often though (and studies show) that when the woman works 40, she usually does most of the housework too. That sounds insane to me. The most I've ever worked is 30 and I just cut back on that. Since I stayed home when the kids were young, everyone was used to things being a certain way.....I cook nutritious meals and do a lot of small things that just weren't getting done anymore. My husband and kids took over some of it but still, I was working all the time and all weekend. I don't know how women with small children can work 40 hours a week. I just read an article in the paper "What Working Women Want is a Wife!"

Hoovie · #12 08-30-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILG

I absolutely believe that is true when there are kids in the home. After that, it might not be so bad if things are divided equally. Often though (and studies show) that when the woman works 40, she usually does most of the housework too. That sounds insane to me. The most I've ever worked is 30 and I just cut back on that. Since I stayed home when the kids were young, everyone was used to things being a certain way.....I cook nutritious meals and do a lot of small things that just weren't getting done anymore. My husband and kids took over some of it but still, I was working all the time and all weekend. I don't know how women with small children can work 40 hours a week. I just read an article in the paper "What Working Women Want is a Wife!"

I have never done 50% of the household duties even when we both worked similar hours and I was caring for infants while she worked the night shift.

However, my wife has never tilled and planted the garden, trimmed and mowed our acerage, maintained the structures, built a garage, and taken care of the 15 tenant properties we had at that time... My wife calls it the "Division of Labor" that she has instituted. It works well for us - not saying it does'nt need re-evaluation from time to time.

I don't come home and sit in front of a TV with or without a beer. Life is too short, and AFF is too interesting!

ILG · #13 08-30-2007, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

I have never done 50% of the household duties even when we both worked similar hours and I was caring for infants while she worked the night shift.

However, my wife has never tilled and planted the garden, trimmed and mowed our acerage, maintained the structures, built a garage, and taken care of the 15 tenant properties we had at that time... My wife calls it the "Division of Labor" that she has instituted. It works well for us - not saying it does'nt need re-evaluation from time to time.

I don't come home and sit in front of a TV with or without a beer. Life is too short, and AFF is too interesting!

Well, whatever works. My point is that the division of labor needs to be equal, however it's divided. If both are working 40 hours, what is done at home also needs to be equal, rather than the guy putting up his feet and saying "I'm glad my day is done!" while she cooks supper, cleans and gives the kids a bath. I'm sure you agree.

Hoovie · #14 08-30-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILG

Well, whatever works. My point is that the division of labor needs to be equal, however it's divided. If both are working 40 hours, what is done at home also needs to be equal, rather than the guy putting up his feet and saying "I'm glad my day is done!" while she cooks supper, cleans and gives the kids a bath. I'm sure you agree.

LaGirl · #15 08-30-2007, 09:30 PM

i stay at home. i love it! i have a 4 year old. as long as we can afford for me to stay at home, i will. my husband does NONE of the housework or cooking. i even mow the grass (2 1/2 acers). he would do it if i asked him. i like things being done right! lol i enjoy being outside, so i do not mind mowing. i would rather him spend his days off WITH us and not working in the yard. i know some stay at home moms that make their husband split the work 50-50. whatever works for you, works for you. we have our routine and it works :-)

LaVonne · #16 08-30-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaGirl

i stay at home. i love it! i have a 4 year old. as long as we can afford for me to stay at home, i will. my husband does NONE of the housework or cooking. i even mow the grass (2 1/2 acers). he would do it if i asked him. i like things being done right! lol i enjoy being outside, so i do not mind mowing. i would rather him spend his days off WITH us and not working in the yard. i know some stay at home moms that make their husband split the work 50-50. whatever works for you, works for you. we have our routine and it works :-)

Same here, only we have 4 boys, I have not worked outside the home in over 15 years...except for several years of volunteer work at my kid's school(always have had the kids with me). I enjoy helping out in the yard as much as possible, we sometimes do it together. I just feel blessed to not have to go to work...I know some enjoy working...I enjoy staying home!