The distribution of household chores creates a lot of tension in many marriages, mostly because the female spouse is a stay-at-home wife. While some believe that a stay-at-home wife should be responsible for all the housework, others argue that the working spouse should also contribute to maintaining the household. Let’s explore this matter and consider how couples can arrive at an agreeable distribution of household labor.
The Role of a Stay-at-Home Wife
A stay-at-home wife would typically be burdened with housework such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and taking care of children. In essence, it is assumed that the husband, who is working outside the home to provide for the family, is to be free of such work, as it is the wife who is supposed to care for the house. Indeed, such a setup works out very well for most couples, especially if the stay-at-home wife happens to be one very fulfilled person and the husband appreciates what she does.
However, it should be understood that being a stay-at-home wife is also a full-time occupation. The maintenance of the house and the children is no walk in the park but a very demanding job, both physically and emotionally. A stay-at-home wife, doing it all alone and with no help from the husband, might just find herself feeling angry and burnt out after a while. This is where a professional house cleaner comes in for much-needed support.
Why It Is Important to Share Responsibilities
It is very important that both spouses share in household responsibilities, even if one of the partners is at home. This way, when both play their part in making the house remain in order, a sense of teamwork and equality is developed among spouses. The working partner might not be available to a great extent to do housework, but he can help out by taking the trash out on weekends, folding laundry, or maybe preparing a meal.
Sharing household chores also sets a positive example for children, teaching them the importance of pitching in and working together as a family. This involvement can also ensure that the spouse who stays at home does not become isolated and without appreciation.
Finding a Fair Balance
Each couple has its specifics, and there is no blueprint division in terms of the division of household chores. The expectations and needs of both parties should be openly and candidly discussed. Couples should sit down and make a list of all the chores that need to be done at home. From there, they discuss who will be responsible for the completion of the activities based on schedules, strengths, and preferences.
Division of labor should, however, be in a position to accommodate flexibility, and adjustments made accordingly. For instance, a working partner can chip in and take more responsibilities in case a stay-at-home wife is overwhelmed. Alternatively, the couple can hire a maid service within the budget, and that will free up to several of the cleaning services, giving more time to both partners to do other things.
Conclusion
Although a stay-at-home wife would have most of the household chores, both partners should contribute toward the house. Sharing responsibilities in the home gives the relationship a sense of fairness and appreciation, not to mention a good example to the children. The couples need to talk with each other and compromise according to the changing situation. And, if the budget allows, services such as Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy can be one of the valuable sources of support and relief for busy families. If couples work together to create a balance within the home that is right for them, they can even prevent housework from being a central issue in their marriage.
