h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

For those still subscribed here: today, I was lucky. My son was for once at home during the afternoon, so asked him to do the hoovering.
Which he did.

Maybe I should just ask more often, although my son usually only coming home very late at night doesn't leave a lot of opportunities.

In that case he could do the nighthoovering.

I didn't see that coming, so it was funny.

Bel, that remark was funnier than the bad pun.

i must admit i thought both were funny

I think that is where we go wrong Bel, we just don't make our requirements clear until we get good and mad

Websailor

True, although it is a bit difficult to ask somebody who is hardly ever at home, or somebody who doesn't talk with you, doesn't want to eat what you've cooked, and doesn't tell you what bugs him.

Oh, dear, I see what you mean. I hope it is a phase and it passes soon. As for never being there, that's sons for you I can't tell you what I would have done to mine if they had been like that or I would sound like a cruel mother. Not that we didn't have arguments and shouting matches, we did, but they don't *seem* to hold it against me now, all these years later.

Websailor

i think mothers should be forced by law to leave their families for at least one week every year

i think it would be a valuable learning experience for all concerned


mind you: somebody should make sure the mothers would not come home to a week of unfinished w*rk after that



and if you don't have anywhere else to go you can come take care of me and my household that week, bel

A week away wouldn't change old routines and structures. A few years ago I was in hospital for four weeks, and it was all fine. But once I was back home, they all expected me to function again.

A) *You* didn't do anything wrong!

B) Other folk, no matter which gender or animal species; once accustomed to *you* being food provider, will usually assume it happens automatically via *you*.

C)The role of 'food provider' can be seen as a very satisfying one, or a horrible, full-time job; maybe best compromise is it should not be the full-time version; i wake in the night fretting "Oh God, what do we eat today? Did we buy this/that? Is the fire alight?" etc; it is tiring...& that's just for one human partner...but also several animals.

D) Don't think gender makes much difference; it's attitude; P (male partner) often cooks for both of us; does cleaning ; washess dishes etc; we have a young (male) student here now who does likewise; they are both out w**king outside; i am having a 'lazy day', still in dressing gown & back for a snooze soon! But there's a curry prepared last night for us all to eat; they are looking after animals meanwhile.

E) Train them to write sstuff that is likely to run out *before* it does & let them carry the heavy bags of shopping!

F) When they forget the above, keep secret stash of toilet roll & watch their faces when they realise it doesn't just happen by accident; someone has planned ahead!

(Just my view, not maybe that of others! Interesting thread.

zdt

re 131:

very good post

re 130:

"A week away wouldn't change old routines and structures"

Is that what you want? Like changing roles with your husband for instance? Are you willing to accept him doing stuff in quite different ways - maybe some not at all?

"...once I was back home, they all expected me to function again"

Did you tell them you wouldn't. And i mean tell them, not hinting. Males don't understand hints. The concept is completely lost on them

trust me

Oh, first of all I stopped doing their breakfast boxes for them.

They prepare and pack them themselves now.

Laundry which isn't in the basket doesn't get washed etc.

Teri, it is them carrying the shopping bags. It is either my son or my husband now who usually do the shopping.

Pierce, yes, I am prepared to let them do things their way.

I may bite my tongue when they come back from the shopping with all the wrong things, but as it's a matter of doing with what they buy or doing the shopping myself, I try to be . Meanwhile, they know pretty well which things to buy. It's a learning process.

Good for you

And good for your males as well

Have a nice weekend. I know i will. Just finished what i set out to do today and will now visit a friend, share a few laughs and and probably watch German on the telly

Don't wait up

German

Viel Spass!

TR: "have fun!"

I'm off back to bed too; been up since 6 a.m; feeding animals & humans, lighting fire, seeing resident French helper off for his meet with Irish girl, shopping...eek, only two dishwashers left now, unless you include conspiracy between & to clear table & lick dishes...

zdt

I had a long nap, too. Bliss.

i had a long nap as well. fell asleep on the couch around 10pm and didn't get up again till 8.40am

whose turn is it to make my ?

DAN DAN DAAAAHHHH!!!!

Hoggy

I had a feeling Bel wouldn't be in the mood to serve me any