Maintaining the Balance

Whose turn is it to do the dishes? Why are there still wet clothes in the machine? When is the bathroom going to be cleaned? Isn’t it your turn? I did it last time?

Any of these sound familiar? I would say most of us have Thought, Heard, Argued, over these all something similar.

This post was inspired by a segment on a local radio station where they were discussing the breakup of household chores between couples (slow news day obviously). It got me thinking about different families and households and wondering if the way we currently share them is the most effective.

Current Agreement

As it currently stands our ‘chores are split 2 ways. Firstly the jobs we either enjoy doing (rephrase that to “don’t mind doing”), along with the ones we can’t stand. Then the rest generally goes with who has the most time to actually get them done. Time meaning either child free or child distracted.

How does this work for our household? Well two things come out of it. One is the daily crucial tasks generally done (dishes, cooking, etc). Two is that we end up with 1 day a week where we just get in and get the entire house cleaned while balancing the child between us. It might not be efficient gets the job done.

Whatever works for you

However you choose to split up the work. Its important both sides are in agreement, and more importantly both sides understand that as a parent not everything goes to plan. So don’t get stressed out (see my post insert link). I will add that given having children drastically reduces free time and increases the workload. I am looking forward to the day I can get our child involved in doing the chores. Don’t get me wrong he loves helping with the vacuuming, but he can’t exactly do it himself yet.

How do you split up your chores? 50/50? 70/30? I bet sometimes it feels like 100/0. Is there a better way to sort it out? Is it frowned upon using your kids to do the dirty work?

Sometimes it’s easier to do them yourself

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Home Handyman

Home Handyman, Jack of all Trades, Handyman from Hell? What role as a dad do you play in maintaining your home? I’m not talking about mowing the lawn or cleaning, tasks like patching the wall, tightening the door, painting a room, landscaping outside, changing the oil in your car. These are all tasks which many of us take upon ourselves to do ourself. That we could also hire someone else to do.

Ill start with what I have done:

• Patch holes in the wall, sand back, and paint good as new
• change oil, filters, and brake pads on the car
• removing old concrete from the yard and laying down turf
• change a shower head and faucet taps.
• Built a large veranda for entertaining.

just to name a few. We are also in the process of renovating our entire house, the bulk of which we are doing ourselves. Skilled family members and online instructional videos are extremely handy.

I have always gotten a sense of accomplishment after completing one of these tasks, a solid pat on the back, and a warm fuzzy feeling like I can conquer any task that might come next. Of course there is always the other side when things don’t go according to plan and you need to call in outside help, but i prefer to focus on the wins.

As a Dad I look forward to showing my kids what the Average Joe can accomplish when they put their mind to it, and hopefully passing on some of the skills and knowledge I have gained to them. What have you done? What are you most proud of?

Our House, or rather Our Home

What is the difference between a House and a Home? A House is the physical place where you keep your belongings and where you sleep at night. A Home is where Love is nurtured, laughs are had, and memories are made.

As i write this i look around my house and see a never ending to do list. This list ranges from day to day tasks such as cleaning, vacuuming, scrubbing. To longterm tasks such as fixing that loose cupboard, or repainting the hallway. This can seem quite daunting, how can someone possibly stay on top of all these tasks while working a full time job and raising a family? The answer is simple, they don’t. . .

While it may drive you a little insane that there is dirty washing all over the house, your kids aren’t going to mind. This is what i’m getting at. Don’t spend all your free time trying to tick off that to do list instead of spending with your family, growing your love, laughing a lot, and making those memories.

Sure your house may have been perfect when you moved in, but it was just a house. Now it’s a home, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. As long as you and your family are happy. and yes when your friends come over to visit its in your nature to rush around and tidy the house to give the impression you are holding it all together, but don’t worry too much. Because i can guarantee if they have kids in their household, they are going through the same situation as you.

Sure tomorrow morning i will probably get up early, spend my time away from work mowing the lawn, ticking that job off the list. But after that ill be able to enjoy spending time outside with my family.