I originally saw this post on Amber’s blog, and then again on Holly’s, so I thought I’d jump in too!
Vacation Time: I get three weeks per year and Kyle gets three sets. (He works 4-on, 4-off, so when he takes a set off he gets 12 days off). We rarely take vacation time to go on trips though, which is something that will probably change now that we have Isla. Family vacations are definitely in our future! Last year Kyle took time off to do yard work. Boo! In the fall we’re pondering a trip to Vegas together, providing we can con my mom to watch Isla while we’re gone.
Work: Although I’m on maternity leave now, I work part-time and he works the 4×4 shift (two dayshifts, two nightshifts). He’s a welder at a copper mine, I’m an editorial assistant at a newspaper.
Food: I do the meal planning and grocery-list writing, and usually we both go to the store together. Call it a family outing, but I like grocery shopping together! We’ll go about once a week to stock up on fresh produce and necessities for Kyle’s work lunches, and to buy this and that for whatever meals I have planned. While he’s working, I’ll make dinner, but when he’s not, we’re both HORRIBLE at figuring out dinner. We’ll eat way too much take out and garbage food. (Baaaaad us!) When Isla gets older I know this will have to stop.
House Cleaning: I like to think that we have a bit of a schedule for cleaning. I vacuum the floors every 8 days (Kyle’s first day back to work) and mop with the Swiffer when needed, and the bathrooms get done every two weeks or when they’re looking especially nasty. Kyle’s good for noticing the little details – like the dust bunnies under the fridge and the dust. I’m SO bad for not seeing that stuff!
Laundry: I try and get most of it done, but sometimes Kyle will run out of something and he’ll start a load of laundry. He’s also awesome at doing Isla’s and will start it if he notices that her basket is getting full. We probably do 2-3 loads a week, and the sheets on the bed get changed once a week as well. Luckily we have 3 sets so I don’t have to wash sheets too often.
Yard Work: This is definitely Kyle’s department.Fun fact: I have mowed a lawn ONCE in my life, and it was because Kyle didn’t believe that I hadn’t. So, he made me and quickly seen why. But, I do try to help when/where I can, like picking up dog poop, weeding and shovelling snow. I’m also BAD at keeping plants alive, so I’ll plant them but Kyle has to keep them alive. I’ve been told I’m not allowed to have plants outside anymore. Makes sense.
Home Improvement: Again – ALL Kyle. I’m bad for saying something like, “You know what would look good?” and then Kyle will try and make it happen. I’ll admit that I’m a bug pain in the ass when it comes to suggesting home projects. But again, I’ll help when/where I can. For example, he hates taping rooms for paint, but I actually enjoy doing it.
Communications: We both communicate with our friends and family, myself probably more than him. He calls his mom once or twice a week to check in and say hello, and I go visit my mom 2 or 3 times a week. We share the same group of friends, so that helps too. We can all hang out together, which always makes for a fun time! I take care of the Christmas cards in the winter and am the general “spokesperson” when arranging appointments or meetings.
Activities: We both tend to be homebodies, but there are a few activities that we enjoy doing together. We just became members of the Kamloops Target Sports Association, so we like to go target shooting at the range, and we do enjoy a good UFC fight. Now that Isla is in our lives, we don’t have as many “random” adventures as we used to, but I don’t mind.
Finances: This is DEFINITELY Kyle’s department. He takes care of the mortgage, the loans, etc. I’m absolutely clueless when it comes to all of that stuff. We have a joint chequing account, so all of our money is pooled together for the mortgage, bills, and everything else. We also have two TFSA accounts – one in my name and one in his, and Isla has her own savings account for when she wants to go to university. We also have a joint AMEX card for Costco, but separate credit cards for “fun” purposes. With the joint chequing account, the credit cards make secret present buying a little easier, lol
Pet Care: We’re both pretty bad at walking and exercising the animals, but with the weather being pretty cold, Campbell doesn’t like to go outside. Daphne’s also getting old, so any exercise for an extended period of time makes her sore and limpy. :( I usually feed them, but Kyle will if he’s home or if I’m busy with Isla or something else.
Who Wears the Pants: I like to think that we share the pants, but who knows ;)