Who does the majority of the chores in your household?

johnglass · 10-15-05, 10:36 AM

My wife just starting working after being at home for the first two 1/2 years we were married. While I've tried to take over some of the household chores from her since she started at work, she still thinks there is more she does around here than I do (and she's probably right). We have no kids otherwise we would both sit back feeding each other grapes while watching the little slaves bust their ass scrubbing toilets and such.

So how do you two-income couples handle the chores? Do you think they are evenly split between the two of you, or does one person inevitably end up doing more? Are there natural "man" chores and "woman" chores?

The_Cube · 10-15-05, 10:46 AM

When you see something that needs to be done around the house, do it. Tell her the same thing. Don't worry about who is doing more. Thinking that way will only lead to getting mad with one another.

Kittydreamer · 10-15-05, 10:48 AM

Me.

ShallowHal · 10-15-05, 10:49 AM

Unless you're broke, I'd consider hiring a service to come in once a month to clean the place. You can obviously handle dishes, soup drops on the stove, etc., but if you're both working I think it's well worth the money to have more time with each other, and not argue about it at all.

johnglass · 10-15-05, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Cube

When you see something that needs to be done around the house, do it. Tell her the same thing. Don't worry about who is doing more. Thinking that way will only lead to getting mad with one another.

Well, therein lies the problem. My wife "sees" a lot more to be done than I do. As a result every weekend she is tearing up the place, scrubbing everything from top to bottom. I think it's too much, but she's anal about cleaning (imo).

To be fair, we live in a one-bedroom condo, and cleaning the entire place every weekend would not take us long together, I just don't see the need for it.

kvrdave · 10-15-05, 10:59 AM

She probably does more but that is mainly because she has a higher standard. I will make dinner, do dishes, fold laundry, etc. but her definition of what needs to be done, and mine, are different.

But I have never asked her to do anything.

FiveO · 10-15-05, 11:10 AM

I live alone...so I do.

IDrinkMolson · 10-15-05, 11:15 AM

The wife definitely does more.
I handle billing; automotive; house repairs, and most of the yardwork, she handles flowerbeds, and since our yard is big, and normally needs cut twice a week, she'll cut as well. We cook on the grill almost everynight in the summer, so I usually handle that too. I clean up after myself by putting dishes in the dishwasher, put dirty clothes in the basket, etc.

Nazgul · 10-15-05, 11:17 AM

I do.

RandyC · 10-15-05, 11:42 AM

Consuela.

I second the notion of hiring a service if you can afford it. But maybe more than once a month. At least every two weeks or once a week. That frees up a lot of the chores. The service can do all the scrubbing, floors, windows, dusting, etc. You are left with the dishes and picking up stuff and putting away your stuff.

ChiTownAbs, Inc · 10-15-05, 11:45 AM

I do

Though I have hired in the past ... I should do that again. Cleaning isn't a lot of fun.

La Bella Rose · 10-15-05, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kittydreamer

Me.

I do everything to!

I don’t think my husband even knows how to operate a vacuum, dishwasher, or washing machine. I just got a job and I start on Monday so things are about to get interesting around my house. We have three boys so I’m guessing the house will be in shambles by Tuesday...

Rockmjd23 · 10-15-05, 11:54 AM

General Zod's gardener.

Thor Simpson · 10-15-05, 12:11 PM

Define "chores." I work at home all day, does that count?

My wife does more in general, no denying that. Especially when it comes to dusting, cleaning up for guests, fixing the beds, etc.

I usually vacuum, mow the lawn, water the plants (indoor and out) and I do 80-90% of the cooking. Outdoors, we both take care of weeding and planting together. She edges me on the weeding though. Home improvement projects... we're both in on it together. We do our own clothes laundry, but she does the "general" laundry (sheets, towels, etc). When it comes to maintenance (unclogging drains, caulking, general repairs) then it's me. But I'm sure she could give you a long list of things she does that I can't even think of, but certainly do appreciate.

Oh yeah, she pays most of the bills (all but my business bills and the mortgage) and I handle most (but far from all) of the garbage.

Bronkster · 10-15-05, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FiveO

I live alone...so I do.

Same here, although I'm currently trying to teach my dog to pick up his toys and put them in the toybox (he's so damn cute).

Draven · 10-15-05, 01:11 PM

I do lawnwork, home repairs/renovations, vacuuming, taking care of the cats, about half of the laundry and the dishes.

My wife does the other half of the laundry, cooks and does the rest of the cleaning. She also deals with our son a little more than I do.

Seems to work out okay.

talemyn · 10-15-05, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FiveO

I live alone...so I do.

Same here . . .

WhoGirl · 10-15-05, 11:00 PM

That would be me. I don't mind as I'm kind of obsessive compulsive about keeping the house clean. I just won't do the dishes. That's where I draw the line.

Cameron · 10-15-05, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by La Bella Rose

I just got a job and I start on Monday so things are about to get interesting around my house.

well someone has to pay for all these lost pig mask

Lemdog · 10-15-05, 11:47 PM

Sadly I do.

Draven · 10-16-05, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by La Bella Rose

I don’t think my husband even knows how to operate a vacuum, dishwasher, or washing machine. I just got a job and I start on Monday so things are about to get interesting around my house. We have three boys so I’m guessing the house will be in shambles by Tuesday...

I'm sorry, but, the hell? How do you put up with this stuff? And you even did all that while pregnant?

I hate it when guys don't know how to do simple household chores. I had a co-worker tell me she couldn't believe that I picked my son's clothes out for him in the morning before taking him to daycare. She had to lay out an outfit every night because her husband "just couldn't do it." Whatever...

costanza187 · 10-16-05, 08:27 AM

The cat

Thor Simpson · 10-16-05, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draven

I'm sorry, but, the hell? How do you put up with this stuff? And you even did all that while pregnant?

Admit it. You're jealous.

Fincher Fan · 10-17-05, 05:27 AM

My Vietnamese slave-girl.

mndtrp · 10-19-05, 04:07 AM

I do more than my girlfriend. I don't get a lot of sleep, so I occupy my time with chores that need to be done. I also keep a list of things that need to be done, and on my days off I do the entire list.

10-15-05, 10:36 AM	#1
johnglass DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Just north of Atlanta Posts: 5,208	Who does the majority of the chores in your household? My wife just starting working after being at home for the first two 1/2 years we were married. While I've tried to take over some of the household chores from her since she started at work, she still thinks there is more she does around here than I do (and she's probably right). We have no kids otherwise we would both sit back feeding each other grapes while watching the little slaves bust their ass scrubbing toilets and such. So how do you two-income couples handle the chores? Do you think they are evenly split between the two of you, or does one person inevitably end up doing more? Are there natural "man" chores and "woman" chores?

10-15-05, 10:46 AM	#2
The_Cube Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Mimi's Hometown Posts: 415	When you see something that needs to be done around the house, do it. Tell her the same thing. Don't worry about who is doing more. Thinking that way will only lead to getting mad with one another. __________________ 1. Groundhog Day, 2. The Family Man, 3. Signs, 4. The Great Outdoors, 5. Cube, 6. 28 Days Later, 7. Planes, Trains, & Automobiles, 8. City of God, 9. GOAL!, 10. V For Vendetta, 11. The Truman Show, 12. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, 14. The Guardian, 15. The Game, 16. The Sixth Sense, 17. Jurassic Park, 18. Shaun of the Dead, 19. The Wrestler

10-15-05, 10:59 AM	#6
kvrdave DVD Talk God Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 79,148	She probably does more but that is mainly because she has a higher standard. I will make dinner, do dishes, fold laundry, etc. but her definition of what needs to be done, and mine, are different. But I have never asked her to do anything. __________________ Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. - C.S. Lewis

10-15-05, 11:10 AM	#7
FiveO DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Minnesota Posts: 5,880	I live alone...so I do. __________________ - "Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us..."

10-15-05, 11:15 AM	#8
IDrinkMolson DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: DE Posts: 2,783	The wife definitely does more. I handle billing; automotive; house repairs, and most of the yardwork, she handles flowerbeds, and since our yard is big, and normally needs cut twice a week, she'll cut as well. We cook on the grill almost everynight in the summer, so I usually handle that too. I clean up after myself by putting dishes in the dishwasher, put dirty clothes in the basket, etc. __________________ My DVD Collection

10-15-05, 10:49 AM	#4
ShallowHal Guest Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,699	Unless you're broke, I'd consider hiring a service to come in once a month to clean the place. You can obviously handle dishes, soup drops on the stove, etc., but if you're both working I think it's well worth the money to have more time with each other, and not argue about it at all.

10-15-05, 11:17 AM	#9
Nazgul DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Jayhawk Central, Kansas Posts: 7,011	I do. __________________ 2008 National Champions, Kansas Jayhawks 2010, 2012 World Series Champions, SF Giants 2008 Stanley Cup Champions, Detroit Red Wings 2008 NBA Champions, Boston Celtics "Dissent Is the Highest Form of Patriotism" - This still applies, right?

10-15-05, 11:42 AM	#10
RandyC Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: shine on you crazy diamond Posts: 26,001	Consuela. I second the notion of hiring a service if you can afford it. But maybe more than once a month. At least every two weeks or once a week. That frees up a lot of the chores. The service can do all the scrubbing, floors, windows, dusting, etc. You are left with the dishes and picking up stuff and putting away your stuff. __________________ Other is a Harsh Mistress.. "In my opinion, there's nothing in this world... Beats a 52 Vincent and a red headed girl." -R. Thompson

10-15-05, 11:45 AM	#11
ChiTownAbs, Inc DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 17,196	I do Though I have hired in the past ... I should do that again. Cleaning isn't a lot of fun. __________________ Follow me on Twitter.

10-15-05, 11:54 AM	#13
Rockmjd23 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: MA Posts: 17,254	General Zod's gardener.

10-15-05, 12:11 PM	#14
Thor Simpson DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 35,019	Define "chores." I work at home all day, does that count? My wife does more in general, no denying that. Especially when it comes to dusting, cleaning up for guests, fixing the beds, etc. I usually vacuum, mow the lawn, water the plants (indoor and out) and I do 80-90% of the cooking. Outdoors, we both take care of weeding and planting together. She edges me on the weeding though. Home improvement projects... we're both in on it together. We do our own clothes laundry, but she does the "general" laundry (sheets, towels, etc). When it comes to maintenance (unclogging drains, caulking, general repairs) then it's me. But I'm sure she could give you a long list of things she does that I can't even think of, but certainly do appreciate. Oh yeah, she pays most of the bills (all but my business bills and the mortgage) and I handle most (but far from all) of the garbage. __________________ I'm not a fan of people quoting others and saying "This," but... This. - VinVega Last edited by Thor Simpson; 10-15-05 at 12:14 PM.

10-15-05, 01:11 PM	#16
Draven DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rosemount, MN Posts: 15,207	I do lawnwork, home repairs/renovations, vacuuming, taking care of the cats, about half of the laundry and the dishes. My wife does the other half of the laundry, cooks and does the rest of the cleaning. She also deals with our son a little more than I do. Seems to work out okay. __________________ XBL GamerTag: Draven Sinclair PSN: DravenSinclair Game Center: Draven-X

10-15-05, 11:00 PM	#18
WhoGirl DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: The Last House on the Left Posts: 12,282	That would be me. I don't mind as I'm kind of obsessive compulsive about keeping the house clean. I just won't do the dishes. That's where I draw the line. __________________ Slowly coming back - One awkard post at a time...

10-15-05, 11:47 PM	#20
Lemdog DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: At the Local Police Department Posts: 2,743	Sadly I do. __________________ I'm sorry

10-16-05, 08:27 AM	#22
costanza187 DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: The Living Room on the Couch Posts: 4,935	The cat __________________ It's the principle, just like when Rosa Parks stole that bus! My DVD Collection

10-17-05, 05:27 AM	#24
Fincher Fan DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rampaging across DVDTalk. Posts: 4,046	My Vietnamese slave-girl. __________________ *"You couldn't molest the audience more than to promise Legends of the Fall* and Driving Miss Daisy then to unleash this on them. They'd just been gang-raped."** - Director David Fincher on the test screenings of Seven.

10-19-05, 04:07 AM	#25
mndtrp DVD Talk Legend Join Date: May 2004 Location: a mile high, give or take a few feet Posts: 10,802	I do more than my girlfriend. I don't get a lot of sleep, so I occupy my time with chores that need to be done. I also keep a list of things that need to be done, and on my days off I do the entire list.