We also have our chores and duties around the house. In fact, society has some stereotypes when it comes to chores, doesn't it? I think we could look at a list of chores and agree at least 80% of the time whose responsibility it is for a particular chore.
- Laundry - Hers
- Dishes - Hers
- Changing light bulbs - His
- Car maintenance - His
- Grocery shopping - Hers
- Yard care - His
- Gardening - Hers
But I think if we let these stereotypes set into our relationships, we're doing ourselves a disservice. Looking after the household should be a shared responsibility. In fact, we should find joy in helping our spouses with those tasks that are "theirs". I think Ephesians 5:33 lays it out for us when it says that we should love our wives as ourselves, and that our wives should respect us.
Out of all the bosses you've had, which have you respected more, those that pitched in and helped out, or those that tossed everything into your queue? Why should your wife respect you if you don't first show her love? Are you worthy of her respect if you never stand in the gap for her and help her out?
Here is my challenge for you. Identify one task around your house that is traditionally her job, and start helping out without being asked. Even better, pick one that you let her do because it's your least favorite thing in the world to do. Don't call attention to it. This isn't about claiming praise for yourself. This it about taking on a servant's heart and loving on your wife. After all, isn't this the model that Christ set for us in His time on Earth?
I've started doing a lot more dishes these days. Especially with my new job, I find I have more time in the morning. Instead of sitting around trying to get caught up on social media, I take 10 minutes to unload the dishwasher. If there are dishes waiting, I go ahead and put them in too.
Guess what? I find I don't loathe doing the dishes as much as I used to. Further, my wife is happier. There's one less chore that she has to make time to get to, which reduces her stress. And when she's less stressful, our relationship is better. After all, if mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. And if mamma IS happy? Well, that can be a very good thing.
His and Hers?
Let's make it Ours, instead.
My wife and I have 'his and her' chores but they aren't necessarily based on gender roles.
ReplyDeleteI clean a little bit each day; she cleans all at once on the weekends.
I unload the dishwasher and she loads it (she hates to unload it -- loathes doing that)
I do laundry, including ironing, hanging and folding; she likes to do the yard work. (I dislike yard work, do it but don't like it)
I think most couples have problems when they assume they other partner should do something; usually because that was the way it was done by their parents.