A-MUSINGS

Okay, all or most of my male readers just clicked this post closed.  But guys, if you are intrepid enough (and confident in your masculinity), stick with me. I’ll have something just for you at the end of the blog.

At our house, my husband and I have a sort of division of chores. I handle indoors, and he gets outdoors. So generally, I do the laundry, vacuuming, and tidying up inside the house. He gets snow blowing in the winter, lawn care all other seasons, takes out the trash and does the handy-man tasks (and I am ever thankful that he is a handy man). We split some duties like cooking and doing dishes, and the kids help out on all fronts. I’m not sure why it worked out that way. Maybe it’s because that’s how our parents did things.

However, I’ve noticed a growing trend in society trying to break down these stereotypes by offering new resources for women.  Take for example, pink-colored tools — as if coloring tools pink will actually inspire me to use them more.  The one plus is that my husband, who has a tendency to just leave things where he last used them (and therefore misplace them) might be less likely to use pink tools, so at least I’d always know they were put away properly.

So how do we inspire men to do more of what has been long-classified as “women’s work?”  Here are some thoughts I’ve gathered over time (and they actually work):

• Communicate clearly: The question “Would you please help me with the dishes?” will get a better response than “You never help with the dishes!  Must I do everything myself?”  Ask for what you want in a neutral tone without assigning blame or using guilt.
• Don’t micromanage (this applies to kids doing chores, too):  If you supervise too closely and criticize the work, he will be discouraged from doing more. He may not do the tasks exactly as you would have done them, but at least he is doing them. Choose your battles.
• Appreciate: Remember to say “thank you.” Everyone wants to feel appreciated and encouraged.
• Present the problem: Men tend to be problem solvers.  Discuss the division of chores as a problem that needs to be solved, and let him offer solutions.

And here’s an interesting finding from a study by John Gottman, a psychologist who studies why relationships fail or succeed:  Men who do more housework have better sex lives and happier marriages. Kind of makes sense, doesn’t it, ladies?  Think of the book Porn for Women.

The New "Man Iron"

And here it is, just as I promised.  A little gift for the guys.  A new twist on the name “Iron Man.”   The elctronics giant Phillips has introduced an iron… just for men.  The Anodilium Soleplate Man Iron, also known as the GC4490 (because what the heck is “anodilium” anyway?).  This 2400W power tool for laundry offers “more power, more steam, more performance” and “the most robust soleplate of all irons.”  It promises a 100g steamboost to blast away all creases easily. (I’m not sure I want my creases blasted, but that is sure to appeal to the chest-beating “Tim the Toolman Taylor” guys out there.) The GC4490 even comes in a solid carrying case, just like many power tools.

It might just be a marketing gimmick, but hey, if my husband willingly irons more, it might be worth the investment.  And Father’s Day is coming up…