Okay, for those of you who know me, this isn’t a new story. (Sorry, I just can’t be fresh ALL of the time. Okay, now that reminds me of a commercial from when I was a young lass. A commercial no guy ever wants to sit through.)
Moving on, this is a story about one of the happiest days of my life. No, not my wedding day (though that was a happy one). No, not the day of any of my children’s births (though those were happy as well). This was the day that my husband came as close to forbidding me to do something as he ever would attempt. And I couldn’t have been more grateful.
It was another evening of chores after the kids were down for the night. I was sitting with a pile of clothes that needed to be folded. This is one of my most dreaded chores. Now, I know, I have it easy. I have a washing machine and a dryer and all that is left for me to do is fold the clothes once the machines have done their jobs. I don’t have to haul water miles from a well to my home. I don’t have to beat the clothes against a rock. I don’t even have to iron (and I don’t). But I really hate folding clothes. It kinda goes with my philosophy of bed making (which you know about if you read my last post). Why fold them if we’re just going to put them on again anyway? Clean pile, dirty pile? Need I say more?
So, there I am bellyachin’ about folding clothes, particularly t-shirts. And my husband looks at me and says, “You know, I really would prefer you not fold my t-shirts anyway. You don’t do it very well. In fact, I’d prefer you not fold any of it. I’ll just do it.”
Now, some women might have taken this as a slight to their abilities as keeper of the home. An insult to their capabilities. Not me. Oh no. I took it as a day of great liberation. Forget voting. Forget higher education. Forget no bras (oh wait, we haven’t gotten there yet, have we?) No more folding laundry!
I looked at him quizzically, asking, “Seriously? You don’t want me to fold laundry ever again?” He said, “I really would prefer it that way.” All that was left for me to do was the happy dance. And I’m still dancin’.
Cory has set men back decades with that statement. If my wife ever reads this (Which I’m sure she will), I will be stuck with unfolded clothes for life. I think I will have to pull the hairless one aside and have a little talk with him.
Back decades, aye? Then it sounds like I’m doing my job. Now, if I could just slow you guys down enough so that I can work on equal salaries for equal work and convenient outdoor plumbing. Then, only then, will I feel as if I’ve accomplished something.
I’ve noticed that I have a terribly polite habit of saying PLEASE when I tell my son to do something. It’s very ineffective because then he thinks I am ASKING and that he has a choice.
Love your blog. Are you interested in a link exchange with http://www.babylune.com ?
I’ve heard that from others, as well. It’s hard to balance modeling good manners with maintaing authority. Oh, the joys and puzzles of parenting!
And, yes, I’d love a link exchange! Thanks for asking.
Wow. I need to get MY Hubby to spend more time with your hubby! I, too, feel like folding laundry is pointless, and if my hubby ever said I didn’t need to fold laundry anymore, it would definitely be better than our wedding day!
Btw, after seeing you this weekend, I just wanted to let you know that you are looking good. I don’t get to see you very often, but I could tell you’ve lost weight. Congrats! 
You know, the more I read of this site, the more I love you. We seem to have a lot in common. I don’t have kids of my own yet, but I have noticed that when scolding the little ones at school, I often say, “Excuse me? Are you supposed to do that?” And then I wonder why they don’t seem to respect my authority… At least I’m lucky enough to learn these things from taking care of other people’s kids. I think that’ll give me an advantage when I have my own.
Thanks for all of the encouragement! And, yes, not doing the folding has vastly improved my life (or at least my attitude!). After 9 years, we’re finally figuring out what we’re each better at (and less bothered by), and can reassign responsibilities regardless of typical gender roles. Makes for a smoother running household, and a couple less drained by the everyday duties. It’s a win-win here!
You are far more liberated than I am! Not that I could mine to offer to do anything anyway. In his eyes, the house always looks perfectly tidy. HA!!!
I’m not even sure what my house would look like perfectly tidy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.
It looked pretty good the day we closed… but we slept there that night, so it went downhill from there.