I. DIVIDING HOUSEHOLD TASKS.
A. It is a common fact of life that we live in a society where it generally takes two paychecks to make it. Therefore, we need to think about dividing household tasks.
B. Here are some tips for managing the stress that a dual-earner marriage creates.(1)
1. Wake-up time.
a. Get to bed earlier and get up earlier.
b. Get ready before waking others.
c. Have children make their own lunches.
d. Coordinate and share morning tasks with your spouse.
e. Take time for breakfast.
f. Reward yourself for arriving at work on time.
2. After work/dinner time.
a. Transition with a change of clothes.
b. Take time to listen and debrief about each other’s day.
c. Prepare meals together.
d. Sit down for dinner together at the table.
e. Allow each other some time alone.
f. Share clean up of the dishes and the house.
g. Make the next day’s lunches.
3. Cleanup/bedtime.
a. Stick with an agreed TV cut-off time.
b. Do a few maintenance chores daily (bills, dusting, etc.).
c. Arrange items that you need to access in the morning in a familiar place.
d. Plan and lay out what to wear tomorrow.
1. These ideas come from The Alabama Marriage Handbook, 22-27.