A new era in my life

[fredintoon]

- - - enjoy having your wife home (even though my house isn't always clean) it has made her life, my kids life, and my life much much better.

Hi 1st,
make your life better yet by helping out, real men are not diminished by operating domestic appliances or a vacuum cleaner. OTOH, ironing is a perverted act.

[trbig]

Just need to learn to be a cheap azz

Just hang around a while, Greg, and I'll show you how it's done...

I can't say it'll be easy, Ivan. Also, just about the time you want to go for a ride, you'll be hit with the "You NEVER stay home and watch the kids!!!" lol But, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

She sounded nice when I met her.. maybe she could just talk to wierdos on the phone for $3.95 a minute?? Though, after that comment, I won't be allowed back.. lol.

Tod

[Pat Kelly]

When wife was a Deputy for 5 years I was Mr Mom. It was frustrating not having any adults to talk to but it was good times. I ended-up helping in classes whe both kids went to school. The other kids needed a male figure around (why do so many guys, won't call them men, leave when they get a woman pregnant?) so recess was fun. They had me running a 1st grade reading program, making copies for all the teachers, and doing one on one work with special ed kids.
Not all pay is in $. When my oldest started kindergarten they asked all the kids "what do your parents do?" He said "Mom has a gun and Dad makes us breakfast"

[1st bike]

fred,

i do!!! i have been cooking dinner for years, and i iron my own shirts (stupid dry cleaning is outrageous!!!) i change diapers when i am home, i read the kids stories at bedtime...etc. still though, keeping up with the kids all day is a HUGE job, so when the house isn't spotless, i don't get mad, i help. we work as a team, and i love it. i wouldn't have it any other way.

[BigDick]

gotta second 1st bike

I gotta iron too, at least on Mondays when we wear our blues to work (more like Sunday nights though ). Also I'm a much better cook than my wife so most of the time I do dinner. I'll help a bit through the week and then on weekends it's my time to wrangle the kids and clean while SWMBO tries to relax.

[cywelchjr]

SWMBO and I always tried to make sure that one of us was always home when the kids were. That meant that for a while she worked nights and I worked days (I didn't have the option for nights, so since she did that was what we did). We also tried to not have both of us working at the same time. I worked out of the house for a couple years, and that helped because she could work days as I was home all the time with the kids. I have to say I enjoyed my time being the stay at home parent, it gave some bonding time, but I kinda blew it in 89 when I yelled at them to stop shaking the couch. That was before we realized it was a quake. Yes, we were in the north bay when the SF quake hit.

[BigDick]

but I kinda blew it in 89 when I yelled at them to stop shaking the couch. That was before we realized it was a quake. Yes, we were in the north bay when the SF quake hit.

almost made lemonade come out my nose have you lived that down yet?

[Montreux_Blue]

She tried to get a substitute teacher job a while back. I kinda screwed that up when I told the principal the next time he sent a drunk driver for my kid's buss route, I'd neuter him with a rusty spoon.

Just have her cut her hair, wear a fake beard and say her name is Harry....

Just need to learn to be a cheap azz

Just hang around a while, Greg, and I'll show you how it's done...

I thought you said I was the cheap azz???

[trbig]

I thought you said I was the cheap azz???

You've been learning from me longer than Greg has.


Tod

[Ivan]

Well, April 9th is the day. We'll see what happens....

I am already a cheap bastard, so that won't be a big problem. But, if it starts cutting into my riding time, she will be out working again within minutes.....

[barberad]

Hey Ivan,
I can understand the one person working concept, not that I agree with it. With 4 kids in the house spanning 10 years in age (8-18), SWMBO has been home more than working for the last 19 years.
Not to sound like more of a pig than I really am, but when she does work, it's like a hobby that costs a lot to get started at.
But I digress, the point I was getting at, is that in order to keep the peace in the household, SWMBO does need a hobby. My wife was an office proffesional before we married, so when she isn't working or doing something constructive, her self worth will drop and there will be hell to pay all around.
So keep that in mind when you come home one day and she say's she want's 47 rock gardens and hands you a shovel. Just smile, agree and put the kids to work with you. The whole house will be a happier place at the end of the day.
Dan

[Ivan]

I am worried about that as well. Its not going to be a happy place if I come home after working a 60+ hour week and the only thing that's been done is watching Days of our lives. I have spent a lot of time at home, in a wheel chair, and between jobs, and I agree its tough not to get drug down with depression. I think though, that Shaunna is going to be ok, since she is really geared toward caring for people and having a happy home is pretty much her hobby.

[Yard Dogg]

Heck bro, with that many kids you can open up a temp labor organization! Kids for hire! Just kidding. Just think of all the money you will save now raising them right. Imagine if you don't raise them right how much money they could cost you in their early 20's still living at home or even worse calling you to bail them out of jail, or expecting you to raise your grand children too. There are some ugly situations out there to learn from. Most people will not refuse their children help no matter how old they get. It's best to get them on the right track now.

[crazy steve]

Well, April 9th is the day. We'll see what happens....

I am already a cheap bastard, so that won't be a big problem. But, if it starts cutting into my riding time, she will be out working again within minutes.....

Ivan, my best advice to you would be to BE PATIENT. The day is going to come when you get home from work and she's had one of 'those' days (where every one of the kids has been a complete s**t) and she's going to scream at you to 'DO something, I can't take it!!' How you handle that will determine how this whole thing will work out.

And for what it's worth, my bike sat neglected for as long as it did due almost entirely to family demands. I had a 'post-nuclear' family, so the degree of difficulty was higher, but still....

Anyway, good luck!!!

'78E original owner

[Ivan]

one of 'those' days (where every one of the kids has been a complete s**t)

Around here that's every day.