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« Question of the Week : How many kids do/did you want? | Main | Memorial Day »
Tuesday
May262009

Queston of the Week | Who does the planning in your house?

I don’t know about you, but holiday weekends generally leave me exhausted, and we didn’t even leave town!  There’s that feeling of packing everything in, taking advantage of days off to do things you wouldn’t normally, and late nights, shot schedules, and tired kids.  This weekend was no exception, and I had a really hard time getting up this morning! 

How does this relate to the headline up there?  One of the reasons I get so tired is that I seem to be the only one (in our family of four) that “keeps the comprehensive”.  Yes I’m home more often than my husband, but despite planners, notes, calendars, reminders, lists, more notes, text messages, and skywriting (i wish!), I still can’t seem to get my husband to remember even the simplest of things sometimes.  I’m the one compiling lists of activities, scheduling the kids, the playdates, the parties, and working out when I’m going to cook those lemon bars that we need to take to the party.  I have it ALL, except for the things I forget, in my head, on my desk, in my planner, on my computer, or on the table. His brain just doesn’t seem to hold things simultaneously, and to-do’s seem to get pushed aside very easily and accidentally.

I don’t think I do this just because I’m a logical list-y kind of gal and I’m married to an artist.  I’m betting that more women in general take the ‘comprehensive’ role than men.  I don’t think it’s tied (at least not heavily) to who’s at home, who works, or how we’re conditioned.  I think women’s brains are wired a bit differently.  I have some info on that from a friend of mine, but as I have no sources on it yet I’ll hold off on sharing it.  (I’ll post it later this week.)

I’d love to know your thoughts on the whole “who plans” thing in your family.  Who takes the brunt of the keeping track job, or is it truly shared? 

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Reader Comments (5)

This is a really good question! According to my wonderful husband, he always says, "ask my wife, she knows the schedule" or "she knows what needs to be done". I really don't mind this at all because we usually discuss this situation together and figure out a plan of action together. But sometimes. it would REALLY be nice if the roles were reversed once in a while and he took complete charge.....as long as the plan turned out flawless...(I'm a stickler for details) ha ha ha. You know...masculinity....big word but needs more action!

My husband is wonderful though, when it comes down to taking over in a crisis situation. Meal planner, launderer, house cleaner, bathroom cleaner. He can take charge WHEN he wants to and feels he needs to. Three cheers for........! Love him to death! WE all have room for improvement!

May 28, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterDawnLove5

Me. All the time. Drives me crazy. Seriously, I could have written this post completely.

May 29, 2009 | Unregistered Commentermamalang

Thanks DawnLove5 and mamalang! So nice to know I'm not the only one :)

June 1, 2009 | Registered Commentersanemom

Hello???? Did we ALL marry the same man?

My "Ex" is still my "partner", so it's kinds weird.

But honestly, when I asked him to PLEASE take over paying the bills every month they were late and then we had incurred charges, and that's AFTER reminding him to pay the bills!

Of course I took it back. :(
If I didn't plan for everything from family events to school conferences, to shopping, etc, etc...you know what I mean, we would be have been sitting in a house with no food!

June 8, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCindy

My husband's parents are no longer with us and since we were married. My sister-in-law does have children and takes a special interest in our kids. It is especially nice that my daughter as another posetive female influence in her life.

July 14, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterDancing BAG Lady

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