hi Brooke,
in my home we each had our responsibilities, and I avoided the -but I helped you with the housework- syndrome. This statement implied that the house was my rsponsibility and the chouette was doing something out of the kindness of his heart ...
Well, several heated exchanges and 15 years later the supper is his problem! either cook or order but supper is your problem!!! His laundry is his problem. No more clean clothes :quest: wash some or wear Monday's stuff... not my problem!
And I kept this up during my two maternity leaves! I was educator, nurse, cleaning woman, accountant, shipping/receiving manager, buyer, and executive in charge of most family issues. I was not going to add indentured servant to the list. and Papa took on a whole bunch of new responsibilities... the moment he walking in from work he was in charge of the bottom end of the babies - I was breast-feeding a very allergic and intolerant baby for two years, he dealt with the dipers in the evenings, night, and week-ends. Also he was professional baby washer! I did not do baths, the babies needed to have quality time with papa to develope their relationship with their father!
okay, so the diper was backward sometime. baby sometimes went to visit the grandparents with pieces of pyjamas. but my son today is nine and is just as comfortable crying on my shoulder as giving a hug and I love you to papa. My 5 yr old daughter, loves to play on the internet with her papa and cuddle with her maman. Both regularly tell us they love us, that we are the best parents! Both come to me and papa with their smiles and tears.
I have never regretted pushing my husband into taking less a less "traditional-masculine" role in our home.