So the plan has always been that when we have children, I would become a SAHM. Both my husband and I grew up with a stay at home parent and we want to provide the same upbringing for our children. It makes more sense for me to stay at home because, while we're both important, my husband is irreplaceable at our company, while we can probably find someone to replace me.
My DH doesn't have any problem with me staying home, infact he very strongly wants me to stay at home. However, he does have a little bit of an attitude that me taking care of our children and handling all the household chores and errands is going to be cakewalk.
For instance, yesterday I told my DH that we should probably start a habit of immediately putting dishes in to the dishwasher (instead of leaving them piling up in the sink) and putting clothing in the hamper (instead of on the floor) because it will help a lot when we have the baby. Note, I said this as we should BOTH try and improve this because we are BOTH guilty of this. Well, DH's response was I'll have "all day" to clean the house, so he doesn't feel he needs to change his habits at all. I told him I think he is underestimating how much slower things go when you also have a young baby to care for. I also said I didn't think asking him to put his dirty dish in to the dishwasher (which is literally beside the sink) was too much to ask for.
So basically, my fear is my DH thinks I will be able to get a lot more done while I am at home than what I think I will be able to do. Now, I have never actually been a mother before, so maybe I am completely overestimating how much work it is?
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How DH sees it: It takes around an hour and a half for DH and I to thoroughly clean our home from top to bottom, so in my DH's logical mind he's thinking it probably can't take me longer than 3 hours by myself.
How I see it: However, I don't think DH realizes how often babies need to be changed, fed, need general attention, ect, so a simple chore may end up taking a lot longer when it's being constantly interrupted.
How DH sees it: What is so hard about going to the grocery store? You just hop in the car with baby and go.
How I see it: But bringing baby makes just getting to the car and all buckled in take longer in of itself. Not to mention I may have to try and coordinate going to the store with feedings and naps and such.
How DH sees it: I'll have all day to get chores done, heck I'll probably have time to spare to just play with baby!
How I see it: I'll also be doing most, if not all, the overnight care LO will need, so don't forget I will also be exhausted and be trying to fit in sleep for myself during the day.
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So is my DH right, am I thinking being a mother is more work than it really is, or am I right to think my days will be packed and I will be exhausted by the end of them? Or is it somewhere in the middle?