This week Mr Infrastructure kindly took a week’s holiday leave, so he could stay home and allow me time on projects that I needed to work on. The Role Reversal Experiment has been an interesting insight for both of us.
We agreed that I would work a similar schedule to Mr I’s hours. We have an upstairs study and that was to be my “office” for the week. I would come up at the same time Mr I would usually leave for the train (approx 7.15am) and work until after 6pm. On a good day, Mr I is home by 6.45pm, but there are many late nights that go significantly past that - but 6pm was enough for me!
Naturally there was flexibility through out my day and assistance given as required, but on the whole MR I was running the show.
This is what I have learned so far:
-
I miss doing the daily stuff with the kids. Things like the walks to school, the pick ups, helping them with their reading or homework and hearing about their days. They are not so interested in repeating the news of their day a second time around much later in their day.
-
The children can cope without me! When both mum and dad are both around the children still come to me and as such I tend to do the majority of the primary care. I probably need to let go a bit and empower dad to deal with these daily issues.
-
When Mr I puts his mind to it, he can actually cook.
-
Due to my behaviour, the children expect an ordered and routined life. For some of the children, if dad did things slightly different to me, they were not always happy about it.
-
I love being home full time with the children.
Mr I will guest post next week to share what he learned from the experience. Sometimes it is good to see if the grass is really greener on the other side!
7 Comments so far
Leave a comment
That’s a great experiment! Mr HB and I have had a conversation about going a step furthe - with him taking long service leave to try the same. I shall look forward to seeing Mr Infrastructure’s guest post next week.
Hoppo Bumpos last blog post..Walk this way
By Hoppo Bumpo on 07.24.08 7:48 am | Permalink
What a brilliant idea! I had a chat with my hubby last night about it and told him about your experiment. He smiled nervously and listened! I will make sure he reads Mr I’s guest post next week!
By ickle Kids on 07.24.08 9:36 am | Permalink
Hoppo Bumpo - Long service leave would be a great opportunity to try something like this. Although I am not sure if Mr I could cope with more than one week!
ickle kids - I am looking forward to the guest post next week as well. He is tight lipped about what he thinks he will write.
By PlanningQueen on 07.24.08 10:09 am | Permalink
Looking forward to the Mr’s guest post! I’m sure it’s been a really interesting experiment for both of you
Bettinas last blog post..Part 2
By Bettina on 07.24.08 10:13 am | Permalink
We called it “mommy appreciation week”, and it only lasted an afternoon. But it was nice to have a break! Good for you–getting so much done and appreciating each other.
By Organizing Mommy on 07.24.08 1:17 pm | Permalink
I am looking forward to Mr I’s guest post, too, and I loved reading the lessons you’ve learned so far! Sounds like it has been a great experiment for you
Alisons last blog post..Silly mum
By Alison on 07.24.08 7:42 pm | Permalink
[...] will recall from last week’s Role Reversal Experience post, last week I traded my office desk and chair for 5 days in the role as a stay at home parent. [...]
By Guest Post: Role Reversal Experience – Mr Infrastructure | Planning With Kids on 07.30.08 2:02 am | Permalink
Leave a comment