Q: How many men does it take to change a toilet roll?
A: We don't know. Never happens.

They will certainly, most of the time, take the trash out. But they will only do it when they are ready, meaning, after the game is over, or when they come home from golf, or when they finish washing the car or whatever it is that their mind is engaged at the moment. Ditto for mowing the lawn, doing yard work, changing the light bulb, fixing the drain, etc. There is truly no need to keeping repeating what they need to do, for they can hear well. If we can’t wait for them to do the chore, we should do it ourselves, or find someone else to do it for us.

It is also all right to totally forget to do it, if you honestly forget. Trust me, if she really wants something done so badly, she will do it herself, or she will ask one of your children.

Alex, my son, has some chores to do in the house, such as taking the trash and the recycling out, cleaning the litter box, or vacuuming. Some times he forgets to do one or the other, in which case, I do them myself, except for vacuuming, as I have a convenient allergy for dust. Does it make me mad when he forgets? Perhaps. I like a clean carpet, for instance. But I have learned to understand his concept of time. I try not to make him feel guilty when he sees he has not done his part; more often than not he will not even recall my request. It is not the end of the world, really.

A joke for you:
“The power mower was broken and wouldn't run, and the wife kept hinting to her husband that he should get it fixed, but somehow the message never sank in.

Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point. When her husband arrived home one day, he found her seated in the tall grass, busily snipping with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. He watched for a short time and then went into the house.

He was gone only a few moments. When he came out again, he handed her a toothbrush. "When you finish cutting the grass," he said, "you might as well sweep the sidewalks."

The doctors say he will probably walk again, but he will always limp.”

A Word of Advice:

Ladies: Let it go, please. If necessary, do what needs to be done yourself. It is better than to enter in a battle in which there are no winners.

Gents: Make sure to comply with the request but don’t, in any circumstances allow nagging. If there is nagging, leave the house at once, or go watch TV, if it doesn’t bother you.

© Maria Moratto 2005
About the author
Dr. Maria Moratto is a lifestyle coach. She promotes seminars and courses in developing the perfect life blueprint, which includes attracting abundance and loving relationships, time management, stress management, diversity, goal setting, career search and change, values clarification, leisure, self-improvement, college life, spirituality, natural health, and lifestyle. She is also writing a book on successful relationships, coming soon. Visit her website at http://www.rx4bliss.com and sign up for a free e-zine that is short, informative, and fun. Go to her blog at: http://www.rx4bliss.blogspot.com for great discussions on these topics. You may reprint this article in its entirety as long as you add this source box.

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