Sharing Household Chores?

I LOVED all of the responses and interaction that I got from "To Fold or Not To Fold" so I decided to incorporate more "conversations" into my blog posts.  So, here's to hoping that you all continue to participate and give me your thoughts and ideas!  (If you continue to have trouble posting a comment or are not comfortable posting a comment but would like to share your "two cents" you can e-mail it to me and I will post it as a comment for you).

Okay, so I was reading a Family Circle magazine at lunch today and it talked about spouses sharing chores.

From Family Circle:
"Couples Therapy"
Want fewer dustups with your spouse?  In a recent survey of more than 1,000 men, 9 out of 10 agree that when they share household chores equally with their significant other, they get along better.  So, pass your honey the mop!

Women spend 17 hours a week cleaning, down from 26 hours 30 years ago, while men have more than doubled their duty, from 6 to 13 hours.  But, having a husband creates an extra 7 hours of work each week for women.

So, we are definately one of those households that has a helping husband.  Even though Jed works 50+ hours a week he still comes home and helps get supper around, gives the kids baths and gets them ready for bed, cleans up the table, sweeps the floor, takes care of getting the corn for our corn stove, takes out the garbage, feeds the cat, does laundry from time to time, and the list goes on.  I have an amazing husband.  He doesn't ever question whether that is a "women's job" or a "man's job", he pitches in wherever he can.  And I can honestly say that we do not fight.  We disagree on things sometimes and we each have our bad days sometimes (me more than him) but we just do not fight - maybe because helps around the house???  Who knows.  And as I write this I am realizing that I do not tell Jed THANK YOU often enough for everything that he does for this family.  So, THANK YOU JED, YOU ARE AN AMAZING HUSBAND, FATHER, AND PROVIDER.  WE LOVE YOU!!!

Okay, your turn.  I  have 4 questions.  #1 - Does your husband help out around the house?  #2 - Are there chores that he refuses to do?  #3 - Does your husband create SEVEN more hours of work each week for you?  (I don't think Jed creates anywhere near that much more work for me each week)?  #4 - Between you and your husband, do you do a combined 30+ hours of cleaning a week?  (I don't even think if I added all of the laundry that I do 30 hours of cleaning a week?!)

Come on followers, lets see your comments!

And Another...To Fold or Not To Fold

Got a nice e-mail from my long time friend Amy today.  She had to weigh in on the "To Fold or Not To Fold" blog as well!!!

Amy Thome:
The subject of folding underwear….. We fold Matts, they fit better in the drawer when they are folded, mine end up unfolded in a drawer and the kids, not folded, but in a nice flat stack in their drawers. The girls actually just started the task of “folding” the underwear and socks after laundry is done, yippee! I am not sure why, but I completely fine with how they end up in the drawers and do not see it changing anytime soon. As far as beds, yes everyone makes their own bed, even our 2 year old (usually tucking in his stuffed animals and at least one tractor!). Granted it is not perfect, but they learn some responsibility. Sometime it is just thrown together, but the covers are up! On the weekend, I have a bit more time than when both Matt and I work 40+ hours a week and everyone’s bed gets made hotel style, it makes me feel like I have a clean house, at least for 2 days out of the week.


Thank you Amy and family!

Another Response...To Fold or Not To Fold!

Got another response from one of my friends (all the way back to elementary school)!  Keep them coming, I have gotten good feedback from people who follow our blog - they like this series of "to fold or not to fold" and everyone seems to be enjoying the interaction that is going on with this topic!

Thanks for the response Alisha!

Alisha Wrote:
Shannon - I just read your blog today. Wanted to let you know that, yes I do fold underwear. I don't know why, maybe it was the years of my mom working late 12+ hour shifts and the girls and I had to fold the clothes and put them away. Boy I remember the lists that she would leave us. Frankly, I can't wait to leave those lists for my own children!! OK, so maybe it's called "child labor" what's a girl to do?! I don't always make the beds - most mornings it's done. The kids beds are made daily, but if I'm running around like a chicken with no head in the AM, my bed doesn't get made. It's funny the converstions that I find myself wanting to have with you after I read your blog. Love to You and the Family! Alisha