U of M Study: Men Add Work

According to a University of Michigan study done in 2008, having a husband creates an extra seven hours a week of housework for women.

The study bases this 7 hour increase on the time difference that a married woman spends cleaning vs. when she was single.

But there is some encouraging news for us guys. The study also shows that men are doing more than twice as much housework as 20 years ago - but still fall short of women's workload.

One of the main differences is how we go about cleaning compared to how the women clean. And this is an interesting debate. Do we need to use the same techniques to clean as they do? In my opinion no...as long as the results are as good. But that's the key. If you clean differently, in a different pattern or take a different amount of time, (in my opinion) it shouldn't matter. But if the place doesn't look good, or isn't disinfected afterward, then you gonna have some 'splaining to do.

Two key things are:
1. We need to do our share around the house.
2. The results need to be good enough to stand behind.

Raise the bar men, and dust it while you're at it.

Stay in touch -

Mark

Say it With Actions

You've heard the expression "talk is cheap", and it rings true. You can tell her you love her, tell her she's special and that you're glad you married her all you want. But if sit on your rear end all day and do nothing to help, it's just empty talk.

But that's black and white. Let me gray things up for you a bit. Lets say you don't just sit around and do nothing. You pitch in here and there. Or when she asks, you get up and help. Good. That's a start. But you're still not doing all you can do.

This is a two step process, but it's easy.

1. Listen/Observe. She'll say specific things that she needs help with, without coming right out and asking for help. Things like "oh I have to pick up such and such, I can't forget to do that." Or "I can't believe how much there is to get done." Things like that are your clue to get engaged, kick in and help.

2. Don't wait for a specific request to help. It may never come. Offer to pick up such and such, or help with the list. Pay attention to what she has on her plate, and initiate the offer to help.

Listen/Observe and initiate. It will make a huge impact on your relationship!

Stay in touch -

Mark

You Suck...I Hope

Guys, it is important that we do our fair share around the house. That means understanding how your partner likes things done, and doing them to the best of your ability. We need to help put things away, dust and (here comes the "sucking" part) vacuuming. So really, I do hope you suck...up things out of your carpet.

This simply shouldn't fall 100% on your partner. You live there too. And besides, a vacuum cleaner IS a power tool, so how bad can it be?

Here's a basic overview of what needs to be done at a minimum when you clean.

Start by putting things away. Getting the clutter out of the way makes the rest of the stuff a lot easier. Oh - and "out of the way" means "AWAY", not just moved to another room.

Dust. Get a dust cloth and some Pledge. Spray a little Pledge on the cloth, move stuff off of what you're dusting and wipe it down. Tables, TV stand, TV, lamps, pictures. Anything with a smooth surface should be dusted. If it has a glass surface, use some glass cleaner with a paper towel (or the glass cleaner wipes).

Vacuum. Suck it up. Don't just do the main walking areas - vacuum the room.

The blog is starting to get a little long, so we'll talk about cleaning in the kitchen tomorrow. I'm just keeping it real...we gotta help keep it clean. Your partner will appreciate it. I've heard it said that a man doing housework is a real turn on with the ladies. Try it, you won't be sorry.

Stay in touch -

Mark