What Did You Do All Day?

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard.

The door of his wife’s car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog.

Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall.

In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.

In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.

He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened.

He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door.

As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap, and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls.

As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel.

She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked:

“What happened here today?’”

She again smiled and answered, “You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world I do all day?”

“Yes,” was his incredulous reply.

She answered, ‘”Well, today I didn’t do it.”

68 readers liked this story.
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06.21.2011
Andrea DeMay
I think this was great! It's so true. Until a husband has to be home with young kids and cook and clean while being sure the kids are safe and for a few days in a row, until then, he won't understand the amount of work that goes into it all. It's a great way for fathers and children to bond and appreciate their wives for all they do. Same with the wives who work hard all day outside of the home. It's the hardest job in the world. But the most rewarding.
05.06.2011
Kate Tietje
Oh, my, some people can't take a joke. I found it very funny, and I'm a stay-at-home mom whose husband works 7 - 3 and then helps around the house a lot when he gets home. I'm sure he'd also find this funny. It's completely tongue-in-cheek, people. Obviously in "real life" husbands and wives should communicate and work together to bring in money and care for the home...and many do. This is just a joke!
Not many men realize the amount of work their wives do at home with children. Managing home and children needs patience, and endless energy. Sometimes, house chores occasionally left to men to know the reality. Indeed, managing children and house chores can be transforming experience to most men. Indeed, men can learn to be tidier and more efficient.
12.08.2010
Sar
I think the people that are offended by this article (and Kurt especially) need to understand that this is just showing all of the little things (that REALLY add up) that stay-at-home parents do all day to keep things running smoothly. It's not to say that we shouldn't do it or that our partners aren't out there working just as hard! I think it's just a humorous attempt at showing that although it may seem like we don't do much at home.. and that things don't get done... we actually do a lot. It's all the little things that are easiest to take for granted and not notice that someone has to do them. We may not be actually making much PROGRESS, but we have to spend all day MAINTAINING. Sometimes it's hard not seeing progress after a full days/weeks/months of work! My husband is awesome and works hard for us. I am lucky that I have him. But I do think it would be interesting for him to be a fly on the wall and see what exactly it is I do all day ;0
12.01.2010
Kylara
what works even better is to wake the husband up in the morning and say "hon, I'm going on a shopping trip with your sister today. we'll probably be back late. I need you to get up now to watch the kids." As soon as he's coherent enough that you know the kids will be fine, leave. All day he gets to be in charge of the kids, the meals, the naps, meltdowns, fights, unexpected callers, messes, ect. You come home many hours later, happy after a nice girls' day out, and he's completely exhausted and at a loss as for what to do, very ready to have you home. This method is VERY effective!!
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