Irritated by unfair division of household chores? Play to your strengths, say UAE residents

Irritated by unfair division of household chores? Play to your strengths, say UAE residents

Alas, the road to a clean, functioning home is not smooth; it’s filled with dirty dishes, piles of laundry and undone chores.

When housework isn’t shared responsibly by the people living in the house, be it a couple, or roommates, it gets frustrating. One or more parties might just stew in boiling resentment, explains Catherine Hall, an American Abu Dhabi-based organising expert. “The truth is, we can’t always have the perfect 50/50 division of housework. It’s not realistic; everyone has different schedules. There will be a day when someone falls sick, or there’s an emergency. So, you could decide on a plan that’s realistic for your lifestyle, moods, and preference.

"A lot is also based on your understanding of each other. Everyone’s time is valuable, she says. If your wife has been allotted the dishes for a day, but is too tired, you can pick up the slack too," adds Hall. “Housework isn’t ascribed to gendered roles. Aren’t both of you living in the house?” If it’s too much to handle between just the two of you, see what could be outsourced, she says.

Well, many residents of UAE have appeared to achieve something close to perfection, after much turmoil.