NOS88

OK, so StapFam's post ("The only time hot soapy water and a mans hands should come into contact is when washing the bike down. Unless- you do the dishes while the wife does the gardening.") in another thread got me thinking. Besides the diamond frame/recumbent; Brooks/all other saddles; and, mt. bike or road bike differences, how different are we when it comes to the division of labor within a household?

In my household the weekly chores go like this:

Cooking - we both do it.
Dish washing - we both do it.
Vacuuming - I do it.
Dusting - I do it.
Bathroom cleaning - she does it.
Kitchen cleaning - she does it.
Laundry - we each do our own.
Yard work - I do it.
Changing bed linens - she does it.
Grocery shopping - she does it 7 out of 8 times.

Now keep in mind we both work full time at demanding jobs. In addition we were both raised in households where we were taught to be as self-reliant with these things as possible.

We try to split things up 50/50 and this carries over into other areas as well. We each have our own car and take responsibility for repairs and maintenance. When she used to cycle, she maintained her own bike and learned how to do moderate repairs.

What about the rest of you 50+ folks? How does it work for you? And for those of you living alone, how do you think it would work if you were living with someone else?

stapfam

OK
Cooking and the wife is home before me and she does the cooking. Exceptions are Christmas dinner and B-B-Q's.

After knocking Hammerman- I do the washing up-----Or rather I fill the dishwasher and make the tea.

Vacuuming and that is the wifes job- but twice a year I wash the lounge carpet (Wash vacuum it)

Dusting Why do that- I'll have no where to leave messages for the wife if I did that

Garden and that is my chore- But as the garden is set up for easy maintenance- it does not take long.

Grocery shopping and why buy the wife a car and then do it yourself?

Bike riding and that is down to me- except I have to service the wifes bike and pump up the tyres- even though it never gets used.

Walking the dog---Wifes dog but I have no objection to taking the thing out in the evening (makes for less nasty shocks and work in the Garden)

General housework- If I can get the wife out of her pool in the summer- then I leave it to her. At this time of year- She has plenty of time to do it.

DnvrFox

NOS88 wrote:

Cooking - we both do it.
Dish washing - we both do it.
Vacuuming - I do it.
Dusting - I do it.
Bathroom cleaning - she does it.
Kitchen cleaning - she does it.
Laundry - we each do our own.
Yard work - I do it.
Changing bed linens - she does it.
Grocery shopping - she does it 7 out of 8 times.======

Ditto, except

She does dusting, we both do grocery (we enter the store with two different lists, and meet at the end).

The Weak Link

All physical labor is delegated to spouse, children, or neighbor kids in need of money.

I've never done an honest day's work in my life. I see no reason to start now.

CACycling

My wife hasn't had a paying job in 18+ years (when our first son was born) but taking care of the boys, lots of volunteer work and taking care of our parents along the way keeps her very busy. Our division of duties is:

Cooking - wife on weekdays - me on weekends
Dish washing - our sons
Vacuuming - wife
Dusting - wife
Bathroom cleaning - wife does ours - our sons do theirs
Kitchen cleaning - our sons
Laundry - wife
Yard work - me
Changing bed linens - me on ours - our sons do their own
Grocery shopping - wife and I do most shopping together

...and you forgot the most important one...

Bicycle maintenance - me

Jet Travis

My wife has it easy. All she does is cook, clean, mow the lawn, pay the bills and otherwise run house. I take care of the important stuff--worrying about national security issues, foreign affairs, the global economy, and presidential elections. It's a grind, man.

MNBikeguy

No need for a lengthy list.
Several weeks ago she asked me where the vacuum cleaner bags were.
We've had a bagless vac for the past 7 or 8 years now.

Rick@OCRR

Cooking - I do it 98% of the time
Dish washing - I do it 98% of the time
Vacuuming - She does it 98% of the time.
Dusting - Neither of us do it much!
Bathroom cleaning - I do one, she does the other
Kitchen cleaning - Neither of us do it much.
Laundry - I do it 98% of the time
Yard work - I do it 75% she does it 25%
Changing bed linens - She does it, and I help. But she starated it!
Grocery shopping - She does Costco, I do Trader Joe's.
So she buys more less often, and I buy less more often. . . it all works out.
Working on Bikes - I do it 100% of the time
Working on/dealing with the cars, I do it 85% of the time, she does it 15%.
Paying the bills, dealing with insurance, health care, etc. She does it 98% of the time.
Feeding the cat - she does it 75% of the time, I do it 25%
Dealing with plumbing problems, phone issues, house issues in general, I do it 90% of the time.

Rick / OCRR

MNBikeguy

Rick... Two questions.

1. Do you and your wife really track division of labor in percentages?

2. What does "OC" signify in your handle?

Rick@OCRR

1. No. Those % are my estimates.
2. Orange County see: www.ocrebels.com

As an example, we've been married a little over 6 years, and I remember her cooking dinner twice. We eat out quite a bit, but my 98% should be about right!

However (and it's a big one) my wife is a teacher and she brings home tons of work to do over the weekends, and every week night. She teaches Honors Chem, AP Chem (AP is Advanced Placement, i.e. college level for smart high school students) and AP Environmental Science.

With all the tests, lab reports, quiz, homework, etc. to grade she rarely has time for any housework. So I don't mind doing the cooking, dishes, laundry, etc. Plus, in terms of income, she's 60% to my 40%!

Rick / OCRR

big john

Shopping, she does most of it.
Everything else, I do all or most of it. Not kidding. She does do her own laundry.

cranky old dude

My bride has spoiled me rotten. I provide the household income and she tends
to the household chores. This summer she added cutting the lawn (used to be
my realm) to her tasks. She uses the non-powered reel mower as I've banned
her from the power mower...those blades are not forgiving and I like all her bits
and pieces intact. The tasks that she is not strong enough for I take care of
eventually though she never nags me to do anything.

She does:
Cooking
Cleaning
Shopping
Laundry
Bill Paying
Dishes
Gardening
Cuts the grass
Shovels snow often
Paints
All the stuff that I've forgotten to list

and she'ld hang the storm windows and screens if I let her (actually she has occasionally).

In general, she does it all, never complains and never nags. I don't know how
this arrangement evolved but she's spoiled me and I ain't complaining.

(Of course, if her MS kicks up....None of the above applies)

Happy Trails