Dear Queenie,
When our family gets together the men just sit around watching TV while the women do all the work.
Queenie, do you think this is fair? And if not, what to do about it?—Fed up
Dear Fed up,
No, it is not fair. And what to do – go on strike.
Tell the men food will not be served (not even snacks) until they have set the table and helped with the preparations. After the meal is over, hide the remote control – even unplug the TV if necessary – until the table is cleared, food is put way and cleanup is complete. Do not expect the men to do all the work, but insist that they at least pitch in.
Better yet, give the men a taste of their own medicine. Do not even start cooking and when the meal is over do not even start clearing the table or serving dessert. Tell them this time it is up to them to do the work while you watch TV – preferably “chick flicks” that the men would not dream of watching. You deserve a break.
