Sharing responsibility, responsibly
Many years ago, and even today in more traditional relationships, you would see strict roles surrounding who did what around the house.
Often, men were expected to focus on the outdoor chores – mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters, building things. Women were expected to take care of the indoor chores – taking care of the kids, cooking, cleaning, etc.
Now, as relationships morph to become less traditional, couples understand that there is no reason it has to be this way.
This isn’t to say that one way is right and one way is wrong. All relationships, and roles within those relationships, are different… and that’s great!
So, how do you determine what these roles are?
Split it!
It might be obvious, but it’s worth stating:if you are in a relationship and both of you are capable to do tasks around the house, then it’s probably best to split those tasks the best you can!
Does one of you love exercise and enjoying the smell of fresh cut grass as you mow the lawn? Does one of you prefer scrubbing away at those frustrating stains in the kitchen? Find a way to share responsibility in a way that both of you can be happy about. Maybe every chore gets split in half, or one of you takes half the chores, while the other takes the other half. Every couple is different, so make sure you communicate about what works best for both of you.
Go above and beyond… when you can
While it’s probably best to split the chores mostly evenly when you can, there might be days when you can “break” this unwritten rule. Have you ever had a bad day, when nothing seemed to go right? You probably didn’t feel like coming home to a sink full of dishes if you did. So, sometimes it might help to go above and beyond with your share of the chores.
Hopefully, if you do go above and beyond on occasion, your partner will also return the favor at times. Doing all of the dishes one night might be a small moment, but it says a lot to your partner. It shows you care. It’s a gesture that will be remembered.
Consider chores from the outset
When you partner with a matchmaker, you might not be thinking about the chores around the house. You probably think about all the romantic moments, and the batting of eyelashes, and the exotic vacations you take together. But when matching with someone, it’s important to think about everything.
Think about how you both approach tasks around the house when you first start your relationship with someone. If figuring out chores with your partner are unbearable, then it might be time to rethink some things.
Enjoy the little things
It might be strange to think about enjoying chores, but if you’re with someone you love… it’s possible! Maybe you watch your favorite show together when you do laundry, or make a game out of who can wash or dry the dishes faster.
Now, chores themselves probably won’t be fun… but spending time with your partner can be.They aren’t the most luxurious activities, but if you love someone, that won’t matter.
