Am I lucky or what? My husband reminds me frequently that I am. A husband and father that likes to clean. And iron. And cook. Yes, I am a lucky girl!
We moved recently to a house from the 1880’s that my husband spent a year lovingly restoring. Most of the flooring is wood, including the kitchen, and my husband is fanatical about making sure the floor around the sink stays dry. Now, we’ve off-loaded the dish washing duty to our two girls as part of their chores that they earn allowance for. Do you know that it’s impossible to keep the floor dry while unloading and reloading the dishwasher? Try it. It’s true!
That’s where Swiffer Wet Jet comes in. One quick swipe with it around the kitchen cleans up the water, the residual crumbs and whatnot, and the inevitable dirt sticking to the floor. And it’s fun too. I know because my girls fought over who gets to use the Swiffer. They also fight about the dishes too, but that’s usually over whose turn it is … i.e. not my turn!
My 10-year-old son has chores too. He feeds the dog twice a day and is responsible for putting away the food after dinner and wiping down the kitchen counters. We recently rejiggered the chores when the girls complained their brother was getting off too easy. I think it’s important for everyone — boys and girls — to learn to cook and clean up in the kitchen. My husband sets a great example for that … he’s the resident neat freak!
When our Swiffer box arrived with a Swiffer Wet Jet, Wet Jet Refills, and Wet Jet Pad Refill, the big green box elicited a lot of excitement and various family members tried to claim it but we decided to keep one and share the other with another dad.
I decided to give it to my dad friend at the boxing gym, Nate Busa. He’s a co-owner at Nonantum Boxing Club and also a Newton firefighter. I always see him mopping and vacuuming the gym and I know he cleans his firehouse too. With three active kids, he drives his boys all over the state to their lacrosse games and I see him with his little girl at the gym in the summer. Does he clean at home too?! Yes, he does. But the question is: where will his Swiffer end up?
According to the Swiffer Cleaning Index, dads today are pitching in nearly two times more than their dads did. I believe that! In fact, the roles have really shifted as half of Dads today say they do the lion’s share of the cleaning in their home, dividing chores with their significant others. Dividing housework up among the family members means more time for fun stuff together.
We like the Swiffer Wet Jet because it means you don’t have to deal with the old-fashioned mop and bucket! And it actually traps and locks dirt and grime instead of pushing it around. The Swiffer Wet Jet starter kit retails for $21.99 if you want to try it too.
I doubt I am alone with a husband that helps out around the house with the cooking, cleaning and kids. Luckily for the modern family, there are lots of dads who are an integral part of raising kids and running a household. Time for you to brag about your spouse! What amazing things does he or she do to help out? Please share!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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At my wedding shower I got a vacuum & my reaction was : Sweet! A gift for Randy! I like organizing (but never have time for it). Randy’s more of the day to day cleaner. He loves to vacuum & clean floors. Me, not so much.
Hi Dee,
That’s so great!! I hope Randy liked the vacuum from your wedding shower!! I hate to vacuum too but I don’t mind sweeping or using the Swiffer. I do hate mopping if it means the bucket/water set up though! I hate wringing it all out. Randy sounds like a keeper! 🙂
DH does help clean. He doesn’t usually mop, but he does vacuum, he will clean the bathrooms sometimes and he keeps our little patio nice and neat.
Hi MaryAnne,
I hate to vacuum so a husband who vacuums is a keeper to me! 🙂
Love your post and the big grin on your husband’s face — just give them a new toy and they are happy. 🙂 I’m lucky too as my husband cleans, vacuums, cooks, does laundry etc. My father always helped my mother, so I was happy to marry someone who helped out.
Hi Patricia,
I think dads who help out are such great role models for their daughters and sons too!!
I bet my kids would fight over cleaning the floor if we had one.
I actually help build one of the early models of it!
Hi Ann,
I wonder how long that would last :)? If more than a day, I say you need a Swiffer Wet Jet!!
The Swiffer seems great! Thanks for the post! 🙂
Thanks Brenda,
It’s super convenient!