In my next life, I'm coming back as a man!

18 Comments

My husband was recently given the chance to go to Japan on an all-expenses paid holiday for 5 nights. As a carpenter who owns his own business, he’s a super hard worker. It was an amazing opportunity for him and I could hear him excitedly nutting out the details over the phone. Just before hanging up, he stated “Let me just check with the missus, but shouldn’t be an issue.” He asked and I said ‘no problem’. That’s it…end of story! All he needed to now was to pack and remember his passport.
So, it got me thinking…If it were me who’d been offered an overseas trip (hey, let’s be honest, I’d even settle for a one night getaway), what planning and organisation would need to take place before I was able to commit?
1. Who’d look after the kids?
2. Who’d clean the house?
3. Who’d wash the clothes?
4. Who actually knows how to use the washing machine?
5. Who’d prepare dinner?
6. Who’d stack the dishwasher or, heaven forbid, wash the dishes?
7. Who’d take Miss 8 to dancing?
8. Who’d take Miss 8 to swimming?
9. Who’d take Miss 2 to playgroup?
10. Who’d complete all hubby’s admin work?
11. Who would do my ‘paid work’ while I’m away?
12. How much annual leave do I have accumulated?
13. Am I able to take annual leave at that time?
14. Etcetera
15. Etcetera
16. Etcetera
So I posed the question to hubby: “What would happen if I went away for 5 days and left you at home to do everything?” Miss 8, overhearing us chatting, butts in and exclaims “Mum, you could never do that! How would we cope?” Hubby looked at me sympathetically and just shrugged his shoulders.
I know it’s great to feel appreciated, but on the downside, I guess I should just throw out that Flight Centre quotation for 3 nights away with the girls in June.
The working mother is highly underappreciated in our society today. We’re wife, mother, cleaner, chef, income earner and taxi driver all rolled into one. Nobody can place a monetary value on our existence.
To any working mothers reading this that feel my pain, print it off and leave it in hubby’s undies drawer (at least you know he’ll see it that way) and maybe, just maybe you might get a bit of appreciation.

Posted by bedda1, 2nd June 2015

18 Comments

- - mom165081 said
  - 02 Feb 2016
    2:33 am
This story rings so very true – My husband goes away for work at the drop of a hat – I never even get to go our for a dinner with friends! The interjection from your 8 year old is exactly what mine say too! Enjoy your own activities during school hours and look forward with a positive attitude. Hope he bought you back something nice!

- - mom81879 said
  - 11 Sep 2015
    2:00 pm
What an opportunity! But what a list of questions. I’m left wondering…..did you end up going or not?

- - mom111362 said
  - 17 Jul 2015
    11:25 pm
yep, we are busy people. I wouldn’t want to be a man though

- - Lillys-mummy said
  - 28 Jun 2015
    10:20 am
This is true most men would be lost with women lol
- Lillys-mummy replied
  
  28 Jun 2015 , 10:21 am
  Without*
- - mom70050 said
  - 15 Jun 2015
    2:05 pm
This is a brilliantly put together piece regarding how I bet many mothers or stay at home dads sometimes feel regarding their own situation. Thanks for sharing.

- - christial said
  - 12 Jun 2015
    1:28 pm
So true. Hubby goes away for weeks at a time albeit for work, but sometimes I wonder what if I had to go away for ‘work’.. Is he going to organise his life around the family first?

- - miss_sammy said
  - 08 Jun 2015
    10:39 pm
bahaha its sooo true tho isnt it, even when they let us have a break they dont do all we do everyday and they want a thankyou lol. great ur hubby gets a holiday… even tho you not going… hope you know you deserve it as much as anyone x

- - mom94125 said
  - 03 Jun 2015
    4:14 pm
oh that is a lovely trip for your hubby also. not many people get that opportunity

- - jenniw said
  - 03 Jun 2015
    12:46 pm
I must be really lucky as my work does involve me having to travel sometimes for it has generally been ok for me to check with my husband and just go. He has always worked full time (but shift work) so has done a lot of things with the kids I know that all will be ok. Might not be done exactly how I would but it will be ok. I would plan some time away for yourself – if not for you but to show your daughter that dad can do it.

- - mom93821 said
  - 03 Jun 2015
    5:54 am
Also; they will survive without you and when you come back they really will appreciate you and understand how much you do! Hope you take your break away!

- - mom94125 said
  - 02 Jun 2015
    7:28 pm
haha great read! mum is an important part to the household!

- - mom93821 said
  - 02 Jun 2015
    5:22 pm
STOP! Don’t throw out your flight centre quotation-do it! Just imagine how much more you will be appreciated after 3 days away!

- - BellaB said
  - 02 Jun 2015
    4:30 pm
My husband appreciates me and all I do, but it doesn’t solve the “tied down” problem.

- - EllenG89 said
  - 02 Jun 2015
    2:27 pm
You make an exceptional point! Know that you are oh so appreciated and you do a fantastic job

- - mum4107 said
  - 02 Jun 2015
    2:01 pm
Oh I hear you too. All you mum out there in the same boat. You are awesome