How do you and your SO split household chores?

**Momto2Boyz** · 06-28-2008, 08:34 AM

I'm just curious. My neighbors and I were discussing this and found that he and I were pretty unique in how we split up the household chores.

Most of our neighbors split the chores along the traditional "gender" roles. The men do the yardwork, take out the garbage, etc. The women do the cleaning & cooking.

Dh and I are much the opposite. I do all the yardwork in our house, I take the garbage out, but at the same time I do most of the cooking. DH doesn't hesitate to run the vaccum or throw in a load of laundry or dishes.

I grew up in a household where my brother and I were taught that all chores belonged to everyone. I spent my Saturdays mowing the lawn and helping around the farm, and my brother helped my mom clear the table and do dishes, just as much as I did. I think that may have a lot to do with it.

So it got me thinking about what everyone else does?

**freebs** · 06-28-2008, 08:37 AM

Well i guess we dont split the chores. My dh works 10-16 hrs a day 7 days a week so i pretty much do it all.

**suki** · 06-28-2008, 08:39 AM

We do everything. We don't split chores... if something needs to be done, then we do it. If the lawn needs to be mowed and he's not up to it, I'll do it. If the trash needs to be taken out and he's the one next to it, he'll do it. If dinner needs to be cooked and I don't feel up to it... he does it. Often, we clean together and work in the yard together.

**tbs727** · 06-28-2008, 08:39 AM

I think we split things mostly the traditional way. DH does the mowing and weedeating, but I trim the hedge because he's allergic to poison ivy and oak and there's some out there. He cleans the litter box and takes out the garbage, too. He also unloads the dishwasher and does dishes most of the time (because I do most of the cooking). Really, he just does what I ask him to do. That's nice. I think it's pretty balanced around here now, but it hasn't always been that way.

**Michelle** · 06-28-2008, 08:44 AM

The only thing that Dave does consistently is taking the trash & recycling to the curb. He works looooong days, so he's not here much during the week, and when he is, he's really tired. Oh, the only other thing I don't do is weed wack. I'm afraid of that thing LOL

He has no problem helping when he is here though. He's a much better cook than me, so I like it when he cooks, but it's usually only on the weekends.

**Terri** · 06-28-2008, 08:52 AM

I do evrything or make the kids do it other than the yard. Dh does that mostly. He works 12+ hours plus travels so he has little time at home. I do give him a honey do list every couple of months of things I can't do myself. He also does projects around the house on his own.

**yankeegal** · 06-28-2008, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by freebs

Well i guess we dont split the chores. My dh works 10-16 hrs a day 7 days a week so i pretty much do it all.

Me too! Although DH will take the trash to the dump for me.

**lisettelovebug** · 06-28-2008, 09:53 AM

I don't work so I do a majority of the housework. Dh does his own laundry (though not very well - piles up for a week or two before he decides to do it), mows lawn and puts garbage out on curb on Monday mornings. He works weekends 7pm-7am, so he has Monday to Thursday off. It would be nice if he would help me out during the week but that doesn't happen. Actually it would be nice if he'd just make sure he was picking up after himself and rinsing out any dishes he uses.

**DJ1972** · 06-28-2008, 09:55 AM

For the most part, since he works alot more hours than me, I take care of the inside and he takes care of the outside. DS12 and DD14 help, esp. in the summer when they are out of school. He helps with cooking also if needed and I help outside...we just do what needs to be done.

**Ilovesewing** · 06-28-2008, 10:20 AM

We're very traditional here - dh does the outside and I do the inside. Although he does tackle a dirty shower stall so I dont have to do it. He does it much better than me.

**Starlight9803** · 06-28-2008, 10:36 AM

I do all the chores here except for construction/auto repair type things. DH works 14-16 hours a day, 5 days a week and does side jobs often on weekends, so he really doesn't have enough time to get to most of it. Though, honestly, if he had the time, he still probably wouldn't do any of it. @@

**cab54** · 06-28-2008, 10:37 AM

We split household chores?

I'll have to tell my dh.

I don't think he knows this!

**cab54** · 06-28-2008, 10:40 AM

J/K in my former post.

My dh does know how to fix stuff VERY well, and run things around here that I can't so that's his job, now that he's retired.

**IntlMom** · 06-28-2008, 10:51 AM

Traditonal here too. I do the inside, he does the outside.

It was this way when I worked full time before kids. I worked full time and still cooked, cleaned, did laundry..... He still mowed and did yard work. Although some times I help with yard work, he rarely helps with housework. Oh, and if I want to have a garden, I have to do that myself too,

**Neeley** · 06-28-2008, 11:13 AM

DD does the dishes (loads/unloads dishwasher).

DS takes out trash/recycle.

DH does all washing/drying clothes.

DD and DS fold/hang/put away laundry.

Everyone irons his/her own clothes.

DH cleans the toilets.

Both kids are responsible for their own bedrooms - top to bottom. They also share the cleaning of their bathroom.

DS takes care of the litter box.

DD cleans out the dog kennel.

I sweep(no carpet in our house), dust, clean counter tops, clean mirrors and windows and do general picking up.

DH or the kids mop.

I feed the small dog and the cats.

DD feeds the big dog.

DH and the kids do all of the pool and yard work.