When it comes to sharing household chores, there are some subtle downsides that may not be immediately apparent. My husband is committed to his share of domestic labor, and I’ve come to accept this as our norm rather than a modern anomaly.
Thirteen years ago, when we moved in together, he was adamant about buying two cordless Dysons, assuring me that he would vacuum frequently to justify the expense. He has kept his promise and is also quite adept at laundry and fixing various things around the house. However, his attempts to deviate from his usual tasks often lead to more frustration than help.
Let’s not talk about the time I discovered a container of leftover spaghetti in the cupboard where cups and mugs live. He Leaves Treats Out at Our Kid’s Eye Level. A sub-habit of the above is the tendency to leave chocolate and other treats out in the open, where my seven-year-old is sure to detect them. We love treats! We are a dessert-positive household. And I am happy that he tries to put things away. But no one needs to store candy at a child’s eye level, taunting them when they open the fridge door before dinner’s been served. He Adds Ridiculous Items to My Grocery List. I keep a work-in-progress grocery list on a small yellow Post-it note inside the kitchen junk drawer. When I get to the store, I scan the list of items before making my rounds. There’s almost always something ridiculous scribbled on there in my husband’s handwriting in addition to our actual household needs, such as: “10 new condiments!” or “all the meatballs!” I honor these requests, which do not inspire confidence in my shopping prowess, at a rate of about 15%—except when the trespasser list item is “love me,” which is both affordable and adorable. (Fine, this habit is tolerable.)