The other day, someone emailed me this terrific story. I feel compelled to share as the reverse scenario actually, unbelievably, happened to me after I left the family for a week when attending a conference. First, here is the emailed story for a laugh:
A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still In their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard.
The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.
In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.
He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried
she might be ill, or that something serious had happened.
He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.
As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What Happened here today?"
She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all Day?"
"Yes," was his incredulous reply.
She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."
***
I had to email my husband this story after what happened to us. I return from a week-long business trip and the house is an absolute mess. Not only did our son rarely have baths, or brush his teeth, there was no food in the house--at all. All the laundry was piled up and you could write your name in the amount of dust on our living room table. In short, it was absolutely disgusting and I was over-whelmed with the amount of work I'd have to do just to live in the house and prepare for the coming week.
After completely laying into my husband about his lack of consideration, etc.
What in the World Do You DO All Day?
By: Lara London (View Profile)
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Comments
I hear this question all the time. I love this story and will share it with my husband and anyone else that ever ask that silly question. Thanks!
This almost sounds like my house, except my short vactions are my two days at work (6a-10p). Although the kids hygeine is always top for daddy's girls, they tell him what and how to do it how mommy does!! He does not do even half of what I do when I'm home for the rest of the wk he does appreicate it. When my daughter was born 4yrs ago he was the stay @home parent, and everything was well taken care of. I just think that he 4gets that even though it not physical labor it is still work and it is still trying, and u don't really get any time off, and your shift doesn't end at 5pm and you get to go home and 4get what happened all day. It just keeps going and going and going!!! Sometimes they just need a reminder.
i think it would be better if you guys have a good connection.. for me, it doesn't really matter what or who will be left in the house for as long as he can manage the kids and the chores and all that stuff.. PEACE>> Mabuhay!
This is the best ANSWER to THE QUESTION we mothers who had to or chose to stay home has ever heard! I am greatful to you and I will share this (not push it) with my sons and hope they pass it on to their children.
It feels good to write.
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