Men v. Women

on December 20, 2010
in All Posts

Did you know that married men perform a little more than a third of household labor, whether or not their wives are in the paid labor force? And women spend more than twice as much time as men do on child care. Fact!

 

Well, here’s my husband, evening up the score. 🙂

IMG_7248

Yay, breakfast!

IMG_7244

Two pieces of toast, over-easy eggs, and a sliced banana.  And it tasted so much better because I didn’t even have to cook it.  :)  Or clean up afterwards!

IMG_7246

IMG_7247

Speaking of work, how many of you are on vacation for the Christmas holiday?  We’re working at the clinic until Wednesday and not really taking time off until Christmas Eve, so it shall be business as usual over at HTP!

 

Pssst – Need a last minute holiday gift idea?  I highly recommend this. 🙂

{ 83 comments }

 

  • Julia @ Brides Up North December 20, 2010, 10:24 am

    No time off for me – working two jobs – the usual day job and the blog! 🙁 and 🙂 in equal measure!! Happy Holidays!

    Julia x

  • Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl December 20, 2010, 10:25 am

    We are enjoying a full two weeks of Christmas in our house this year! I’m trying to enjoy every.single.second because I know it may never happen again!!!

  • Madeleine @ Stepping to the Bright Side December 20, 2010, 10:25 am

    I THOUGHT you seemed awfully busy, it being so close to Christmas! I actually just got home a couple days ago, but am find it so hard to relax… I’m so used to go go go, I’ve got to force myself to slow down and enjoy. Love that the hus is doing his part!

  • Jodi December 20, 2010, 10:31 am

    Business as usual here as well though we do have friday and monday off (which is simply lovely). it’s our busiest time of year in the office – not much of a break for the holidays I’m afraid.

  • grocery goddess jen December 20, 2010, 10:36 am

    My sweetie is great at helping around the house, but I do think I do a little more 🙂

    I have Friday and Monday off for the holidays!

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing December 20, 2010, 10:37 am

    For the past five years, I have worked in school settings that have given me a week plus off for the holidays. This year, I am back in the non-profit sector and have to work through Wednesday (I took Thursday off, otherwise I’d be working then too!), then right back on Monday through Thursday of next week.

    It’s going to be difficult not having a lot of time, especially since we’re driving 10 hours to Michigan, then back three days later.

    Should all be worth it though!

  • Victoria (District Chocoholic) December 20, 2010, 10:37 am

    If you are single, you do 100% of the housework.

    Or accept that your place isn’t that clean, but it’s cool ’cause there’s nobody else around to complain.

    Or hire somebody to clean. If you can ever be bothered to pick up the phone to schedule it.

    • Caitlin December 20, 2010, 10:52 am

      Hahah!

      Advantages to being single: you also create 100% of the mess!

      • Victoria (District Chocoholic) December 20, 2010, 10:53 am

        I relish in my mess-making. Especially in the kitchen. Let’s not talk about what my stove looks like, OK? Ditto for the KitchenAid mixer.

  • Lauren December 20, 2010, 10:38 am

    Winter break is the best – no school work to think about or do and a month off!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) December 20, 2010, 10:41 am

    We are with you. Since we own our own business there is no rest until lat minute. I would believe that statistic. I also agree that food just tastes better when my husband cooks it! Have a great day Caitlin!

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) December 20, 2010, 10:41 am

    I’m off for break from school! I have time to TRULY focus on my half- marathon in 18 days!
    But I also have to research graduate schools in my spare time.

    • Jen December 20, 2010, 11:19 am

      Good luck applying to grad schools! I just finished up my first semester of grad school for English. What are you studying?

  • mindy @ just a one girl revolution. December 20, 2010, 10:42 am

    I’m working through Thursday, but then I don’t go back until January 4! SO excited!

  • Kierstan @ Life {and running} in Iowa December 20, 2010, 10:43 am

    I have a full three weeks off work! We are heading over to Europe for two weeks in a few days…so excited.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat December 20, 2010, 10:43 am

    I’m not on holiday yet, but I will be on Friday and I’m soooo looking forward to it!! Have a great day Caitlin 🙂

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate December 20, 2010, 10:45 am

    I’m on vacation as we speak! My family & I are in St. Petersburg, Florida to see Louisville play Southern Miss in the Beef O’Brady bowl! 🙂

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg December 20, 2010, 10:46 am

    Mmmmm, you make eggs look SO good!

  • Erin @ Big Girl Feats December 20, 2010, 10:49 am

    I’ve been off for 5 weeks post surgery and it’s amazinggggg to have time off during the holidays. Even so, I still feel like there’s so much to do and not enough time to do it in! Besides the whole surgery thing, it’s been pretty awesome.

    And yay for the Husband evening out the playing field! 🙂

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) December 20, 2010, 10:50 am

    I’m hosting Christmas, so I’ll be running around like a crazy person for the next week…
    all part of the fun! 🙂

  • Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good December 20, 2010, 10:52 am

    We are on break from school this week. I am still working my part time job. In fact, there are usually extra things that need to be done in these last days before the end of the year, but I can’t complain. 🙂

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write December 20, 2010, 10:54 am

    I’m working until Wednesday night, so it’s business as usual at Eat Move Write, as well.

    I’m very well aware of those husband-wife statistics, trust me!

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) December 20, 2010, 11:00 am

    I do 100% of the housework, cooking, cleaning, and groc shopping. Hubs and I both work out of the house 40 hrs a week. We only pay for childcare for 6 hrs tho b/c I work nights and he works days so we are ships passing in the night and trade off childcare. Wish we could trade off housework and chores, too 🙂

  • Amalfi Girl (EatRunHaveFun.blogspot) December 20, 2010, 11:01 am

    That breakfast looks so yummy! I love to cook but absolutely despise doing the dishes…

  • Amanda (Eating Up) December 20, 2010, 11:02 am

    Those numbers are fascinating! Come on, modern society. It’s time to switch things up a bit.

  • Orla December 20, 2010, 11:06 am

    Isn’t it funny that food always tastes so much better when someone else prepares it.
    I am very lucky – I finish work on December 22nd and I am not back in the office until January 4th. I am very excited and just bought Crazy Heart, Dead Poets Society and Wall Street to watch on the 23rd. In my PJ’s, from the couch, with the dog curled up beside me.
    Cannot Wait!!! Have a great day!

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman December 20, 2010, 11:09 am

    I’m off starting Dec. 23. And that can’t come fast enough!

  • Kelly December 20, 2010, 11:11 am

    Christmas vacation starts thursday at 1!

  • Dee December 20, 2010, 11:14 am

    My last day is Wednesday and I cannot>/b> wait!

  • Jen December 20, 2010, 11:17 am

    My boyfriend does not do laundry, but he helps a lot with dishes, cooking, and cleaning so it evens out 🙂

    I’m on vacation! I’m a grad student and I work on campus, so I have a nice long winter break until January. I’ve been painting, baking, running… all the things I hardly had time to do and enjoy doing throughout the semester!

  • Kristina @ spabettie December 20, 2010, 11:17 am

    I love when Jason cooks! 😀

    I can make my own schedule, so I’ve only scheduled a couple easy meetings over the next couple days. Jason is off until next year!! (wow, that sounds really weird to say!).

    Happy Monday!

  • VeggieGirl December 20, 2010, 11:21 am

    Just returned from a vacation with Suave Slav 🙂

  • Natalia - a side of simple December 20, 2010, 11:22 am

    I think food always tastes just a bit better when you don’t have to clean up after 🙂 I’m home for winter break from college so I’m fully embracing my last year of undergrad-month-long-vacation!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life December 20, 2010, 11:23 am

    I have Friday off (since Christmas falls on Saturday) and am taking Monday the 27th off for a doctor’s appointment. This will be the most time I’ve gotten off from work for Christmas in five years!

  • bakingnbooks December 20, 2010, 11:23 am

    Working every day. No vacay. Only Christmas day off – and that’s because it’s a saturday! 😉

  • Amanda December 20, 2010, 11:24 am

    I totally believe that statistic! Finally proof in numbers!

  • Jazz December 20, 2010, 11:25 am

    I am in TEXAS for Christmas, which is amazing since it’s -21 C at home today and 28C here!!

    • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday December 20, 2010, 11:44 am

      WOW! That is hot.
      I don’t know how I feel about heading south for Christmas. I kinda like the cold weather and the snow. For me it’s as much a part of the holidays as candy canes and evergreens.

      • Jazz December 20, 2010, 5:39 pm

        I liked snow when I was in Ontario, but in Sask. when it’s -40 I don’t care if I never see it again.

  • sarah k. @ the pajama chef December 20, 2010, 11:34 am

    no school for me! 3 wks off for grad school. it is wonderful!

  • Jess December 20, 2010, 11:43 am

    We’re headed to Mexico for 5 days. We leave on Thursday morning. I cannot wait!

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine December 20, 2010, 11:48 am

    I’ve been home for five days, and I still have five WEEKS left before my spring semester starts. It’s quite the break, but I’m enjoying my last bout of extended laziness before I have to enter the real world this summer!

  • Jill December 20, 2010, 11:49 am

    Working every day. No days off.
    No big deal though. Have to take the days as they come and deal with them one at a time.
    Nice that you enjoyed breakfast with your husband. I love eggs and buttered toast. Great with a load of avocado and hummus also. Too bad you are allergic to avocadoo — tragic! 🙂

  • Leah December 20, 2010, 11:53 am

    I don’t get paid vacation so I’m taking as little as possible time off. Christmas Eve only. And New Years Eve I guess.

  • Rachel December 20, 2010, 11:58 am

    Working until Thursday afternoon then I’m off until…Monday.

    Repeat next week.

  • Lee December 20, 2010, 12:05 pm

    I have Thursday and Friday off.

    This is a really random question, but I’m assuming that’s your kitchen. Do you have just those three hanging lights? Do you find it gives off enough light? I’m in the market for a new kitchen light and suddenly I’m noticing everyone’s kitchen! I like the way yours looks.

    • Caitlin December 20, 2010, 12:13 pm

      There’s also a big dome light in the kitchen so with that combined, it’s more than enough! Especially when the windows are open.

  • JenATX December 20, 2010, 12:15 pm

    I’m out of school until the Tuesday right after MLK day. I might start my internship a bit early just to start bringing in the cash money bc I am broke as a joke! That’s one thing about relying on scholarships/financial aid for school.. you have to wait for the money until they give it to you argh

  • Lauren December 20, 2010, 12:20 pm

    Hubby made breakfasts are ALWAYS so much better. Wonder why that is? Guys just seem to have the breakfast making skill ingrained in them.

  • Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table December 20, 2010, 12:21 pm

    Glad I’m not the only one that thinkis food tastes better when you don’t have to do anything to get it. 🙂

  • Haleigh December 20, 2010, 12:22 pm

    i was just hit with an intense craving for over easy eggs 🙂 My husband and I slipt all of the house chore duties in half since he works full time, and I go to school and work part time.

  • Sheryl December 20, 2010, 12:28 pm

    Taking next week off to golf in Palm Springs and then wine taste in Napa! Woo hoo!

    Oh, and what kind of bread do you buy/make? Your toast always looks ridiculous good!!!!

    • Caitlin December 20, 2010, 12:30 pm

      It’s call La Brea!

  • Allison @ PickyEatingRD December 20, 2010, 12:44 pm

    No time off either.. Clients need to be seen wether a holiday or not!

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair December 20, 2010, 12:52 pm

    I believe it! My boyfriend helps a fair amount around the house with a bit of nudging, but I know I do the majority of it because I am just constantly picking up! However, my boyfriend has been gone for the last week and it made me realize how much he DOES help – especially with the dishes – as after being in the house alone for a week it was kind of a pigsty!

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing December 20, 2010, 1:01 pm

    I’m just working today then I’m off for 7. Really excited!! I could definitely use some relaxation time with my fam :).

  • Carolyn @ EatWell. LiveWell. BeWell. December 20, 2010, 1:04 pm

    I cook. My husband cleans up (granted I often have to re-wash dishes!) On Saturday I came home from a race and he had cleaned the house.

    While I do more housework than him, he does do A LOT more than they average male.

  • nicole December 20, 2010, 1:07 pm

    The Husband is really evening up the score for you- a dinner and breakfast in a row? You know how to pick them!
    I was thinking of getting my sister Operation Beautiful, but she asked for a ton of cooking and running stuff, so I thought it best to get her what she wanted. Maybe for Valentine’s?

  • Kelly December 20, 2010, 1:16 pm

    Not on vacation until Wed night at 6:30 for me 🙂

    I don’t have kids yet but my husband definitely does about half of the housework/chores. He actually maybe even does more but I’m in charge of a lot of the bills/calendar/sending out cards/thank you notes and all that stuff which I count as chores haha.

  • jen December 20, 2010, 1:22 pm

    caitlin!

    i’ve been meaning to ask u for ages- what kind of bread do u have all the time that u make that yummy toast? it is so hard to find really good bread!

    thanks.

    • Caitlin December 20, 2010, 1:23 pm

      It’s called La Brea 🙂 It’s from Harris Teeter grocery store here!

      • Stacy R. December 20, 2010, 3:28 pm

        I LOVE LaBrea bread! I usually pick it up at Whole Foods, Costco and sometimes Trader Joe’s has it

    • jen December 20, 2010, 1:26 pm

      ok guess i wasn’t the only one wondering! i saw above you posted LA BREA. What kind? Thanks!

      • Caitlin December 20, 2010, 1:29 pm

        I think its the whole grain flavor.

  • Heather December 20, 2010, 1:25 pm

    No vacation here, used it all up earlier in the year, but Thursday and Friday are holidays for my company, so I only have a three day work week, yay!

  • Camille December 20, 2010, 1:31 pm

    Ha, in my house I probably perform 90% of the housework. I love my boyfriend, but he isn’t known for his homemaking skills!

  • Jessica M December 20, 2010, 1:42 pm

    I have been off the past week visiting my parents out of state. Then, tomorrow I fly home and work 3 days, then enjoy the Christmas weekend with my husband. : )

    It seems like Christmas is already over, but I am glad that I get to have 2 Christmases!

  • Amber K December 20, 2010, 1:45 pm

    I have been on vacation since the 10th and I’m off until the…11th I believe. I should probably figure out when I’m supposed to go back, lol.

    My husband is off on the 23rd until the 4th. Of course, the time we spend the most money has to also mean the time we’re earning the least!

    Thankfully, my husband is awesome about sharing the housework with me. I do more of it, but that’s also because I’m home more!

  • Faith @ lovelyascharged December 20, 2010, 1:48 pm

    I only get two days off, which kind of sucks, especially since until this point in my life I’ve been used to two/three week vacations from college! YAY REAL WORLD!!!

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In December 20, 2010, 1:59 pm

    MM breakfast is the one thing the boyfriend will make for me, and overeasy eggs are the fav!

    I’m working today and tomorrow, visiting him in cincy wed-fri, then home to STL for holidays with the family!

  • ezzie December 20, 2010, 2:11 pm

    Mmmm, that breakfast looks delish!

  • Susan December 20, 2010, 2:13 pm

    I do most of the housework. It’s not that the BF won’t do it, he just doesn’t think to unless I say something to him. But I knew that before we moved in together, so I just have to keep asking him to do things. He does do most of the cooking, though.

    My last day of work was the 10th and I don’t go back until the 3rd. Just got back from a week on the Big Island. We’re not traveling until after Christmas so I’m going to have a nice relaxing week at home reading and watching movies. And hopefully some outdoor activities and the gym. I think this is the most time I’ve had off since I graduated from college and that was a long time ago!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey December 20, 2010, 2:19 pm

    Those are some interesting facts, but I can definitely see it! Although I really wouldn’t enjoy doing things like cutting the grass or houshold fixes, so the Hubby is great for that! 🙂

  • Carin December 20, 2010, 2:28 pm

    Not that I’m happy or anything…. but I’m off to work now (it’s morning in NZ) until lunchtime then I’ve got 5 weeks off! Woohoo!

    Even with the kids to look after (no childcare until the new semester begins, hence kids at home, hence 5 weeks off), I’m hoping to get organised and enjoy our SUMMER break! My dad and stepmother are supposed to be coming over from the UK for a 3 week holiday… if they can get out of Heathrow next week. The weather over there is amazing – and pretty hard to relate to when it’s 25 degrees here.

    Sigh. I miss snow. Or, at least, the idea of snow!

  • Natalia@TheHealthScript December 20, 2010, 2:29 pm

    So funny story about this topic. I was teaching English as a second language to this couple from China and I was showing them a picture book with events from “daily life.” The husband was absolutely shocked that the book showed the wife cooking all meals, cleaning, grocery shopping, and taking care of the kids while the book showed the husband relaxing after work. I hope the book didn’t give him any ideas! 😉

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence December 20, 2010, 2:52 pm

    I am off from Weds- January 11thish. yay!

  • Caree @ Fit-Mama December 20, 2010, 4:09 pm

    Yay for your husband!! Isn’t it nice to sometimes to be cooked for and cleaned up after??!

    I am off from this Friday and most of next week..I just have to come in the office for a few hours

  • Ellen @FirednFabulous December 20, 2010, 6:36 pm

    Mmmm that breakfast looks yummy! I’m going home tomorrow, but since I am a freelancer (and don’t get paid if I’m not WORKING!), I’ll be glued to my laptop until Friday :/ Ohh well, just happy to have work!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin December 20, 2010, 6:50 pm

    I’m a student so these next two weeks are completely free for me! 😀 I still have so much to do though, so I have no idea how you juggle a job AND holiday related activities!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit December 20, 2010, 7:24 pm

    I’ve had to learn to ask my husband to do things around the house, bc he just doesn’t know when things need to be cleaned. He is learning though, and does a lot of the cooking and dishes and does our laundry every week!

  • Kim @ Kim Lives Healthy December 20, 2010, 7:41 pm

    Those gooey eggs look SO good!

    I do the inside chores and he does the outside chores, which ends up being more on my part. Even though we both technically work 40 hour weeks, his are more like 50 hrs so it comes out to be a nice split. Plus he’ll surprise me sometimes and cook for me, which is always good even though I have to restrain myself from micromanaging the steps in the kitchen…

  • Aimee December 21, 2010, 1:49 am

    I definitely agree with those statistics! My husband is actually really helpful and he is a great hands on dad, but it just happens that I tend to the household tasks more than he does. I work nights and he is at work during the day. We have found a good balance for the most part. No vacation for me though, the hospital never closes :(! I’m on straight through the holidays (good money though!). Enjoy your holidays!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 21, 2010, 11:24 pm

    The hubby and I both have 2 weeks off over the holidays, and we are trying to book a last minute trip somewhere hot. If we can’t find anything, we will relax at home 🙂

Previous post:

Next post:

Search The Blog

Read by Month:

Read by Topic:

Healthy Tipping Point