I like hearing about a teacher that cleans bathrooms to be nice to his wife!

Charlotte, thanks for reading and commenting! I think it was a great way to end the school year. How do you split up the chores in your house?

My father was one of the best housekeepers/homemakers I've ever seen! He still is. He's a great cook, good cookie baker, never complained about doing housework - amidst kids, pets, friends visiting, etc. Him and my mom make a great team. Much of what determined how they divided things up had to do w/work and school schedules, who got home when and what deadlines were looming. They both had to take ongoing education courses at times, or had demanding work schedules, sometimes with irregular hours. I look back on all of that in total wonder because they didn't nitpick, argue or kvetch about these things. When I was older, I valued the cooking lessons I learned from them both and took chores fairly in stride, including pet care.

My DH and I are similar that way - doing things according to looming deadlines and who's home when - with one exception: he can't cook well. But his gratitude for my cooking means he's willing to do some of the chores I don't care much for. All in all, doing chores seems more fun together, and things get done faster, then it's nice to relax together with a cup of coffee or tea.

Hmmm thanks for reading and commenting!

And thanks so much for sharing your parents' division of chores. It sounds like they found a wonderful solution for their family. Tackling the chores together is a great idea (I love the thought about relaxing afterwards with coffee or tea).

My son and I are starting to tackle some chores together. He "helps" me wipe down the cabinets, wash the floor and transfer the laundry from the washer to the dryer. Having a toddler helper can make the task take a little longer, but it is definitely more enjoyable.

Everyone is so busy today going 15 different directions I don't know how you juggle it all but you are making memories for your family, so have fun!

I don't think my parents even tried to share household chores much way back although I do have an early memory of Dad cleaning the bathroom. For Dad, a scientist, the weekend was a time for experiments. Dad experimented frequently on his children and with The Joy of Cooking cookbook. He regularly prepared Saturday morning breakfast (waffles or French pancakes/crepes or French toast) and Sunday supper (grilled cheese and thick chocolate malts probably not from The Joy of Cooking). He had an incredible hot and approaching-hardball-yank-out-the-fillings chocolate sauce for holiday ice cream and a saltwater taffy we loved to pull. I don't remember who cleaned up when I was little but Dad did lots of dishes at holiday gatherings when I was older. Lots of sweet memories!

LJ, Thanks so much for sharing. Those are wonderful memories! I love that your father was a scientist and brought that enthusiasm home on the weekend. Sounds like he definitely got into the holiday spirit. What fun!

We kids are responsible for setting the table, helping with the dishes, and doing our own laundry. My mom cooks and my dad does the dishes (because he is most particular about how they are done). My mom does a lot of the other chores, but she has a cleaning lady that comes to help her, too.

Charlotte- That sounds like a great way to split up the chores. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm impressed that you do your own laundry. I'll need to try that when my son gets older.