tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post5094011729852381261..comments2024-03-29T19:22:11.409+10:00Comments on down to earth: The division of work in the homeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80476301223798258712012-09-18T10:53:37.128+10:002012-09-18T10:53:37.128+10:00Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a ...Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.<br />I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more <br />of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly <br />comeback.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.prescription-swimming-goggles.info/fantasie-swimwear.html" title="Prescription Swimming Goggles<br /><br />Prescription Swimming Goggles" rel="nofollow">Prescription Swimming Goggles</a><br /><i>my web page</i> :: <b><a href="http://www.prescription-swimming-goggles.info/fantasie-swimwear.html" rel="nofollow">Prescription Swimming Goggles</a></b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35468021592223764132012-09-18T03:31:51.096+10:002012-09-18T03:31:51.096+10:00A friend linked me to your website. Thanks for the...A friend linked me to your website. Thanks for the resources.<br /><i>My blog</i> ; <b><a href="http://decalstickerremover.com/" rel="nofollow">Remove Decals</a></b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35705774699627468722010-11-30T14:23:39.287+10:002010-11-30T14:23:39.287+10:00hey rhonda ... i'll take that u.s. $10, you do...hey rhonda ... i'll take that u.s. $10, you don't need it there! lol. ;-) <br /><br />great posts lately. loved the one about line drying laundry! it's becoming sadly so taboo here stateside. we are nuts.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16706071409908084910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35975094976029533372010-11-29T12:12:08.388+10:002010-11-29T12:12:08.388+10:00We tend to divide household clean-up duties by who...We tend to divide household clean-up duties by who is working more and on the weeks when he's in the field training non-stop then all home duties are mine. When I wasn't working full-time I took on more of the home duties, and it's always been the case that if he gets an extended weekend and I'm still working then he'll pick up on his household duties. Usually I'm responsible for most cleaning, trash/recycling, laundry (although he does a load or 2 every other week), and dog care. Hub does the cooking, basic home repairs as needed, electronic/techno stuff, and changes the oil/rotates tires on the cars. I hate grocery shopping so usually that's something we do together and we split the payment of bills via our separate accounts. Where we are living now, a crew mows the lawn and I maintained the container garden we had. When we move back to Oregon and our schedules change again, I'm sure our household responsibilities will again change. I think that's part of the key--being honest when you need the other to help out more and also being flexible....Simply Authentichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10149087342124493037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-46177593996257528992010-11-27T10:07:12.700+10:002010-11-27T10:07:12.700+10:00Hi Rhonda, I've been reading your blog for a c...Hi Rhonda, I've been reading your blog for a couple months now and find it completely inspiring!<br /><br />My husband and I are both in our 20s and we both work and go to college in the US. We have worked out a routine where we do the tasks that we each enjoy, and also the tasks that the other person hates. I feel like it makes me appreciate my husband even more when he "saves" me from the tasks I can't stand.<br /><br />In general this means I cook, do laundry, sweep, and tend plants in our garden. He does dishes, cleans the bathroom, and does the heavy labor around the house and in our vegetable garden.Mrs. Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11194099874167915915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6604248698907445502010-11-27T08:12:09.145+10:002010-11-27T08:12:09.145+10:00My husband and I have four small children and will...My husband and I have four small children and will have another in April. I stay home to care for the house and children and he works. He is gone for 13 hours 5 days per week. He works hard physical labor outside (and we live in a very hot and humid climate). Because he works so tirelessly to provide for us, I am happy to take care of most of the household chores. I do the cooking and the laundry. The children work alongside me to clean the house. They make their own beds and clean up their own messes. My older daughter began cleaning the bathroom at age 5. I give her a clean rag and a spray bottle of vinegar cleaner. She does a decent job. My son began helping me with laundry at age 2. He pushes baskets of laundry to the washer for me and helps me load them in the machine. My goal is to train the children to clean the house so that they will be capable adults. My secondary goal is to ease my burden of housework. A family should work together. If you help create the mess, you must help clean the mess!<br /><br />My husband does a share of housework. He takes out the trash and cares for the yard. We do not currently have a garden so yard work is minimal. My husband is willing to help me when it is needed, but I think it is important to do what I can.Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08124671029662207001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10591708946954664062010-11-27T00:20:49.569+10:002010-11-27T00:20:49.569+10:00We had a lovely Thanksgiving,thank you Rhonda for ...We had a lovely Thanksgiving,thank you Rhonda for your good wishes!<br /><br />Both my hubby and I stay at home-he is a disabled Iraq vet and I am a homemaker. Usually he takes care of the outside chores such as feeding the chickens and turkeys and cleaning out the pens,woodsplitting,stacking,etc. I am usually the house keeper and gardener. We do work side by side though-I split wood with the woodsplitter,stack wood,mow the lawn,rake the leaves,build the square foot gardening boxes,and help build the pens,and he will wash dishes,cook,do laundry and sweep. I find that I enjoy working side by side with him very rewarding and gives us an even greater sense of partnership.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18146666825333788187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59347714203373854182010-11-26T12:02:50.535+10:002010-11-26T12:02:50.535+10:00Hi Rhonda.
My husband works shift work and I stay ...Hi Rhonda.<br />My husband works shift work and I stay at home running the house as well as looking after our 4 year old. We have never really had the discussion of who should do what. It just sorted itself out. I do most of the inside work as well as care for the gardens. My husband does the lawns and heavy work outside as well as maintaining our 2 cars. He will also wipe the dishes and various other tasks inside if he thinks I am in a flap! Lol!<br />I am proud of my role as a homemaker in our little home and I have now taken on the task from next year homeschooling our daughter which I am very excited about.<br />Another adventure for us.<br />God is good.<br />MelissaVintage Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16844669942410942778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34503765227384186922010-11-26T08:58:28.310+10:002010-11-26T08:58:28.310+10:00Thanks Rhonda, always an interesting topic, and al...Thanks Rhonda, always an interesting topic, and always fun to read how other people deal with it! <br /><br />It pretty much takes care of itself here (the division of labour, that is, not the housework sadly!). I do the garden, because I love to, and Peter very much doesn't. He fixes things (plenty of things break round here, it's an old house), because he enjoys it, and has the patience, and I don't. <br /><br />We're both pretty good about everyday things - cooking, washing up, washing, sweeping the kitchen etc. I do more of the hoovering/dusting type things, because I notice, and he doesn't. I also tend to swish round the bathroom. <br /><br />Decorating we count as work in the home too - an ongoing project because we don't have much money, so things get done a little at a time. Often it's me who'll get frustrated at something not being finished, so I'll start, and he'll join in and we'll finish together. <br /><br />I think it really depends what each of you enjoys and can tolerate, and prioritises. We don't have a spotless house, but it's comfortable, and we're happy to have people drop in any time. Sometimes i'd like less *stuff*, but a lot of it's not mine, and as Joshua says so wisely, 'if I wanted to live by myself, I wouldn't live with you!' (what a lovely sentiment!).<br /><br />It also depends on other activities too. I'll be working full time in the new year, so that might cut down on what I do, and Peter will step in a little, especially with cooking etc. <br /><br />I consider myself lucky too! <br />xxJenni @ NotReallyAFarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12699782031004116836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77582425234953511362010-11-26T06:55:14.003+10:002010-11-26T06:55:14.003+10:00Thank you Rhonda for your blog which I always enjo...Thank you Rhonda for your blog which I always enjoy. Having said that I must make some comments re "the division of work in the home". Sometimes we need to see things from a very different perspective. Firstly, I have been widowed twice; secondly, I live very frugally on a Widows Allowance which is hardly more than the 'dole' as the Widows Pension no longer exists - I will be eligible for an old-age pension in 14 months - YAY; thirdly, I do all the work. This includes getting up on the roof to clear gutters and checking roofing nails, mowing, whipper-snipping, car washing, dog washing, house repairs generally, painting, tap washers, building cupboards etc. - then there are the indoor jobs as well as making bread by hand. Did I mention two fires, one in the lounge room and a wood stove in the kitchen - I also use a small chainsaw to retrieve wood in my trailer for these fires - oh and split the wood and carry inside! Just thoughts for people to think about.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08396561599440105371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78323844193576687502010-11-26T05:12:53.739+10:002010-11-26T05:12:53.739+10:00this is a really interesting topic for me. i have ...this is a really interesting topic for me. i have a chronic illness which severely limits what i can do and it frustrates me to death, because my tolerance level of 'it needs cleaning/tidying' is much lower than my husband's or my daughter's (aged 12), plus i'm at home all day looking at the state of the place. recently we worked out schedule where we focus on one room each day and then we each have a small job to do. for example, on thursdays it's the front room. i tidy up, my daughter dusts and mark hoovers. when we all do our jobs, the results are truly amazing and the house feels wonderful. however, life steps in and things don't always get done on that day, so i do need to monitor somewhat. it seems to me that the jobs are little enough so it doesn't make anyone feel like they have to do loads, but all three jobs together make a big difference to the house. this is very much an ongoing project here, but i feel positive about it :)joolzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01908064898206635707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-86133479992334477882010-11-26T05:00:52.948+10:002010-11-26T05:00:52.948+10:00We're both in our early 30s and both work full...We're both in our early 30s and both work full time - and we share the chores pretty equally.<br /><br />We didn't have a sit down talk when we moved in together to plan things, it just worked out that way because of who we are - he didn't in any way expect me to do more than my fair share and I in no way felt inclined to!<br /><br />He does the washing up, I do the laundry. I feed the animals (dog, cats & chickens) & clean out the coop, he cleans out the cat litter tray. We share the general cleaning and tidying equally. He generally tidies the garden more than I do, but I am the lead grower and builder. He chops more wood for the stoves than I do, but I keep the kindling supplies stocked up. We share the grocery shopping & cooking equally - we're both have our own repertoire of meals. On the days I have a lighter work workload, I cook; when he does, he cooks. I tend to know more about how many rolls of toilet paper we have in the house or how much chicken feed, he tends to know how much petrol is in the car.<br /><br />I couldn't imagine being in a less equal relationship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91383633744716770912010-11-26T04:53:06.108+10:002010-11-26T04:53:06.108+10:00My motto is 'if you want it done, do it yourse...My motto is 'if you want it done, do it yourself'. Seems to work in our household, we each do whatever we feel like doing, I do mostly the 'womens' type of things and he does mostly the mens but there are no set rules and no arguments about anything and we're both happy. If something needs doing, one or other of us will get round to it at some stage. Life's too short to worry about division of workloads!Sue Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16463317651625459406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6883136750813755142010-11-26T00:16:33.904+10:002010-11-26T00:16:33.904+10:00Rhonda my husband and I have seemed to split up th...Rhonda my husband and I have seemed to split up the household duties quite efficiently and in an opposite manner. He is disabled and is the stay at home househusband. I work outside the house. So he does most of the house duties and almost all the outside duties. I bring home a majority of the house funds and do the cooking. I also take care of the cat although he will feed him in the morning. I also run the vacuum. I plan the weekly menu and the grocery trips but he is right there with me at the store.<br />The ugly house chores aka laundry we split. He will wash and lug to and from the laundry room and I do the folding and putting away.<br />Our house is not perfectly kept but if we have people that drop in without notice we are not embarrassed to have you in.<br />We also make sure that each day we have our personal and couple time. I have found that this is very important to my husband, he needs that couple time.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01938792538379160119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79524297825287709642010-11-25T16:18:28.204+10:002010-11-25T16:18:28.204+10:00This is a challenge for us as we both work from ho...This is a challenge for us as we both work from home. My hubby's business brings in the bulk of our income and we have 3 employees dependent on him earning. So that is his focus. Mon - Fri he can do nothing to help around the home.<br /><br />Sat and Sun he will do the hard labour if there is anything to be done, like making raised beds, fences etc - our elder son helps with that. <br /><br />I do all the cooking, maintenance, gardening etc and I homeschool our children. <br /><br />My children are an intigral part of the team and have many chores (inside and out) assigned to them.Urban Homestead South Africahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15744814544809179491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-39233256031862429252010-11-25T15:27:01.660+10:002010-11-25T15:27:01.660+10:00Hi Rhonda,
Both of my husband and I are working a...Hi Rhonda,<br /><br />Both of my husband and I are working and sometimes I have to stay back in the office due to my work commitment, and I am also studying at the moment.<br /><br />However, both of us do understand that we have to help each other. So for example - I am looking after for the cooking, gardening and cleaning (washing, ironing and vacuuming). <br /><br />And my husband will look after the "outside" work. He also helps me with clothes that need to be washed by hands, making the bed, preparing breakfast in the morning :D.<br /><br />It is very good and we never have problem at all with sharing our responsibilities.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-16762588884189943322010-11-25T12:45:30.780+10:002010-11-25T12:45:30.780+10:00Before hubby and I married we talked about job div...Before hubby and I married we talked about job division (and parenting roles). I was only working 3 days a week and we had no yard to care for at that time. For the first few years of our marriage though I never peeled a potato, changed sheets or vacuumed! I still don't put fresh sheets on the bed or make it daily - that's still hubby's domain.<br />Now, he still works full time and I am home-ish full time with 3 children whom we home educate... and we have a HUGE yard... 3 hours to mow!<br />He does all the outdoor work except growing things and a little bit of the fiddly weeding which I do. He helps out with indoor things as needed... usually once a week I'll for some help 'catching up'. I get time to myself quite easily and since our children go to bed at about 7pm, we have a couple of hours each evening for couple time to take advantage of a couple of times a week. <br />Also, hubby takes all the children out of a Saturday morning after housework is up to date so I can have some headspace and planning time by myself. He also takes the children to visit his mum 2 weekends a year. An annual girls weekend is easy to organised because again, he'll always happily have all the children.Mrs Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10414229490828494058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7452510196367957662010-11-25T11:56:18.033+10:002010-11-25T11:56:18.033+10:00Before I became a SAHM,I was the one who did all t...Before I became a SAHM,I was the one who did all the inside chores and the hubby took care of all the outside jobs.My husband ended up getting a better job,but it does come with long hours and a six day work week.So when I became a SAHM two years ago I took over everything (except heavy weed wacking).I am at home everyday so doing regular tidying up and wiping down the bathroom and such jobs isn't a big deal because it's my job now.That's how I look at it.He is out working 14 hours a day to keep me home with my baby..and the soon to be new baby :)It is my job to keep the house clean,the yard cut,and food on the table.Along with clean,happy babies waiting for him to get home.He does the big jobs like..cut firewood and get it spilt and stacked,heavy weed wacking,and anything else that would be too much for me to handle.I like it this way,because like I said..it's my job now and it's been harder and more exhausting than any other job I have ever had...but it's so worth it :)ramiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03124272622011556055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27874058933095001082010-11-25T11:14:06.841+10:002010-11-25T11:14:06.841+10:00A non sequitur comment, but I wanted to share an i...A non sequitur comment, but I wanted to share an interesting blog post from a woman who is interested in economical home made school lunches under $2.00. Worth reading, I think.<br /><br />http://civileats.com/2010/11/24/budgeting-for-change/Thickethouse.wordpresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17187303460677067276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60510909183319039842010-11-25T10:34:18.801+10:002010-11-25T10:34:18.801+10:00I had contemplated writing down individual chores ...I had contemplated writing down individual chores down on notecards...and keeping them divided by days of the week...depending on what needs to be doen when...and how often..Haven't gotten to that point yet. However, my dad and I share an apartment, split all the expenses down the middle...We also split housework down the middle..It just seems to come natural.....although he tends to take care of the kitchen and I'll take more care of the bathrooms. Although I do have to say...since my dad lost his job, he's taken up more of the household chores...because I"m still working. He's a sweetheart!! Thanks for your always great and informative posts, Rhonda..Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)Heather's Blog-o-ramahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05490555197097928275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67079329532088291852010-11-25T10:03:11.205+10:002010-11-25T10:03:11.205+10:00Hi Rhonda, I'd like to start by saying I love ...Hi Rhonda, I'd like to start by saying I love your new color scheme. We're just starting winter here in Canada, so it is nice to see some spring-themed colors!<br /><br />In our house, it is just me (24) and my boyfriend (25), and we're both employed full-time. My fantastic boyfriend does 90% of the cooking, and most of the dishes too. (If for some reason he misses one of these jobs in a day, he feels terrible and begs me to leave the dishes for him). I'll tidy the counters of garbage, recycling and assorted miscellanea, and I most of the baking. Outside of the kitchen, I do most of the day-to-day tidying, and the laundry. I take care of the 'kids' (our cat and dog) by feeding them and cleaning up after them. If we have a big cleanup day, we lay out everything that needs to be done then we'll barter to try and get out of dishes or the bathroom (but they always gets done), and we just keep both working until everything is done, picking up the next chore when one is finished. My boyfriend works a wonky shift (4 days on, 4 days off, from 7pm to 7am, with an hour + of driving on each end of the shift) and I work a typical Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm shift. So typically supper is done when I get home from work around 4:30, and we eat quick before my boyfriend leaves for work around 5 or 5:15. We try to grocery shop together, because he's really creative but I'm a picky eater, so tandem shopping works best.<br /><br />Everything always works out, and we very rarely get upset with each other when something doesn't get done. I don't hold a grudge for doing most of the day-to-day house tidying, and he doesn't hold a grudge for doing most of the kitchen work.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18000009238718668784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-51960405323638646472010-11-25T09:36:36.126+10:002010-11-25T09:36:36.126+10:00I'm a SAHM to two gorgeous little girls and tw...I'm a SAHM to two gorgeous little girls and two rather large dogs. My husband works fulltime, but still helps out with the housework. He does all the 'heavy' or repetitive work because I have a health problem and get tired easily. I do the light vacuuming, sorting/putting on the washing, refilling the dishwasher, dusting, cleaning the kitchen, do the mopping, helping the girls to pick up their toys and I deal with the chores that he's too squeamish for (yard-cleaning, dirty nappies, taking out and cleaning the bins). Hubby mows, vacuums the carpets, washes the carpets occasionally, hangs out endless loads of washing and empties the dishwasher. We changes the sheets, make the beds, clean the bathrooms, shop and fold the clothes together. <br />I don't class my gardening as a chore, it's how I wind down. Neither of us class the girls as a chore, they're such good kids (for now at least).Mishihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03618556202180054642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-53286887502108517032010-11-25T09:22:27.017+10:002010-11-25T09:22:27.017+10:00Great topic Rhonda...
Both my husband and I work o...Great topic Rhonda...<br />Both my husband and I work outside of the home and we are gone around 55+ hours a week. Hubby and I did a joint effort on housework up until about 6 months ago.<br />We decided to pay someone to come and do the house work. <br />We both however do share the out door duties with the gardening and maintaining etc<br />At the end of the day if housework becomes too much of an effort, work out in $$$ how much your effort is worth and then pay someone else to do it....<br />It keeps you sane!!!!Lyndahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12181789859716816685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-92155367471870532172010-11-25T08:26:23.654+10:002010-11-25T08:26:23.654+10:00This is one of my biggest issues. I am a WAHM (I k...This is one of my biggest issues. I am a WAHM (I knit for my online shop) while having 3 kids 5 and under and am 18 weeks pregnant. My husband is OCD about everything needing to be done before going to bed, and at least having things out of sight. Which is completely opposite of my line of thinking. I have kids to take care of, the housework is all supposed to be mine he thinks because he is gone working for 8 hours 5 times a week. <br />Back to what I think in opposite than he does is that the kids are more important and that things get done before we run out (clean clothes, dishes washed etc) there's just SO much to get done in a day especially when I have to take the oldest to & from school every day. Plus I don't think something is clean if it's just put in a closet or thrown in a toy bin, it has to be actually CLEANED out not just put out of sight and wiped off. <br />He does take care of the yard work thank goodness, takes the trash out most of the time, and handles the budget but that is it. I take care of the kids, cooking, schedule, groceries (which I have to fit in kids clothes and etc needs in the budget), finding knitting time to work for my store and the many other odd jobs a stay at home mom has. One night I will have to write out a list of regular chores just to see.. but I'm not sure I want to!Candicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00002732775005247919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-19259802051492645392010-11-25T08:09:40.336+10:002010-11-25T08:09:40.336+10:00Good morning Rhonda. Such an important topic for a...Good morning Rhonda. Such an important topic for all of us but especially those negotiating tasks and time.<br /><br />In my household the two younger people (middle aged us) work outside the home as well as in. Mum (84) and Tom (69) are both retired.<br /><br />I run the house but there is a group effort for one hour on Mondays to do a general clean -- kitchen, bathrooms, dusting, vacuuming of wooden floors. Then it's maintenance and tidying during the week which i mainly do.<br /><br />Washing happens several days each week. Tom looks after his own, I do the rest. Mum brings in dried clothes, folds and/or irons.<br /><br />I menu plan and cook. Two people other than me clean up after meals.<br /><br />I maintain the grocery shopping list and Mum and Tom shop for that once a week. I shop for fresh food.<br /><br />Tony maintains the garden and the house with help from me when he needs me. He cooks once a week and gives a hand often.<br /><br />Ours is an unusual household but I think it shows the importance of dividing work.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14751315680374413649noreply@blogger.com