And so here I am maidless and venting, with a vengeance.
5 reasons why I hate housework
1. It’s unending
It really is. Like draupadi’s sari. Even with all the modern day appliances. Washing, cleaning, cooking, dusting, clearing up, making beds, putting clothes to dry, ironing, settling cupboards… on and on and on.. to infinity. And I’m not even beginning to include the kiddie stuff. It sucks one in like quagmire.
Corollary: It leaves no room for thought for anything else. You’re only thinking of the next task and the next one and then the next.
2. It requires an extremely high level of multitasking (which I obviously lack).
Sample this: I put the milk to boil and spot the Hrit’s beyblade near the gas stove (which he’d brought in for me to fix and I couldn’t because my hands were all floury). I fix the bey blade and go to give it to him in the kids’ room where I trip over a bunch of toy animals. I start putting them away till I smell … you’ve guessed it.. milk. Then it’s just happy mopping.
I routinely burn my veggies. Routinely. The other day I decided to sit it out in the kitchen and carried my book and beanbag there. Big Mistake. I was roused to the smell of.. right.. burning vegetables this time. Rush rush to salvage what I can.. Wash the pan.. fresh oil.. more cooking… aaaargh!
3. It tires me out without letting me lose weight.
Oh yes, it does. If I were to lose even half a kg a day doing all of those chores I’d do it gladly. Where’s the point of getting bone tired and not losing an ounce? On the contrary hanging out in the kitchen in close proximity to food spells pure danger. Plus you’re only too happy to eat what the kids are eating rather than making special low-cal stuff for yourself.. more problem on the weightloss front.
4. It spells the end of ‘quality’ time with kids.
No way can I spare the time for crafting with Naisha or trying out a recipe with Hrit. The dread of clearing up paint or picking up bits of paper.. prohibitive. As for the cooking, I just want to get over with it and get to the other tasks before the next meal comes along.
Corollary: It takes away the pleasure from otherwise pleasurable tasks…. like taking the kids down to play or putting them to sleep. While I’m telling them their bedtime story my mind wanders off to the dinner table that needs clearing or the kitchen that needs to be tidied.
5. It spells the end of ‘me’ time
Well you might catch some television while doing your ironing but reading, blogging, even an hour at the gym can be considered pure luxuries. (That explains just four posts in November and the increasing weight).
Housework makes me crabby and irritable mostly because I’m just not fond of it. How oh how do scores of women do it every single day of their lives without turning into complete harridans? I’m turning into one for sure. I’ve even taken the God’s to task… so there’s your proof.
Disclaimer: These are the ramblings of an overworked housewife sorely missing her maid, who is pregnant (the maid, not the housewife, Thank God) in her husband’s quest (for the fourth time) for a ghar a chirag. The post is to be taken with oodles of salt.
Thank You.
Housework truly is a drag. :/ I learned to appreciate my mother more whenever I first lived on my own and had to keep everything clean myself.
Most respectable profession and the most unnoticed and under-rewarded. Hope you will enjoy it in future once you start delegating some part of it to your better half!
Sibi: Now that really is a dream. Delegating it to a new maid seems possible. Glad that comment came from a man 🙂
Indu.. Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the post :-).
The Pink Orchid: Oops did I spoil it for you? Sorry. When you don't like something it seems like a task. Off to wrap up for the night :-).
Housework was not such a huge task… until I read this post.. Now it feels like "OH MY GOD W.O.R.K!!!"
Very happy to have chanced upon your blog.I have been doing this thankless job for donkey's years.I feel as if you have read my mind & put it in a post.Reading about it is very enjoyable-but doing it-AARGH!
Sirisha: Right.. you don't know till you do it.
Lavina: I really am glad I live in India. A maidless life's scary.
Shilpa: You too? I think clothes is the WORST part ever.
Arti: Lucky You 🙂
Priya: Pray I find a maid and soon.
Smita: It's a losing battle.
Bikram: Seriously sometimes I wish I could just walk off to work. This is unpaid and unappreciated :-(.
Smitha: Hang in there. Hope things work out soon. The indecision's the worst bit.
Couldnt agree more, OM. If there is one part of being a SAHM that I hate, it is house work! Totally totally hate it. and I am just itching to go back to work, if only I had some clarity with our plans! One of the biggeat advantage would be not doing all the house work. Right now, I don't feel like getting amaid ti do everything.
oooops .. what can i say to that ..
My mum says the same too,
but if not for mothers who work so hard we would not be where we are …
Bikram's
I am so with you on this!!!! And Shilpa this comes from a lady whose made had gone for a chutti of 4 days 😉
But seriously house work is something that is never ending and is thankless as well.
I mean if we don't keep the hoise clean we would be questioned for that and if we start doing the chores we get to listen 'u don't have time for me' gaana. Jaayen to jaayen kahan?
True.. its like Draupadi's sari, never ending and totally draining!!
Hugs OM. Hope you find some respite soon enough..
Personally, I don't know how it feels to be a SAHM but I have to agree with all your well chalked out points, since I see my mum as one and know her state when the maid is absent! Loved point no. 1, that's where she also tries including me in the equation 😛
Agree with ALL the reasons completely! And the thing is that the housework is never ending! You cook one meal and in a couple of hours it is time for the next one and a dozen things that are triggered from one meal… chopping, cleaning, washing dishes, serving, and then clearing the table and tidying…. gosh it is a vicious cycle! 😀
Take clothes… wash them, dry them, fold, sort for ironing and soon the next batch of clothes are ready to be washed, the next day!
You have rightly termed the housework… Draupadi's sari!
I understand your pain and empathize with you completely, coz just today, my maid decided to bunk and I have just reached office half tired after finishing the morning chores! 😐
completely understand and agree with you dear. i am also a SAHM since 1.5 years, though I plan to join work, but this house work takes on me many a times and I get frustrated with this non stop , thankless job. Styaing out of india, i dont even have the luxury of maids! sigh
Thank you so much for sharing this:
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Thanks & Regards
Malar
Sigh! and they say we have it easy! 😀
here's to all of us SAHMs .. only we can understand what we go through