My Husband and 4 Kids Are Constantly Slacking off Their Chores – This Time I Taught Them a Good Lesson
A mother of four was exhausted from doing all the household chores, despite working longer hours than her husband. She repeatedly begged her kids and husband to help out, but her pleas were often ignored. Eventually, she took matters into her own hands and taught them a lesson for slacking off their chores.
An exhausted mother | Source: Pexels
My name is Sarah, and my life is a whirlwind of real estate deals and family responsibilities. My husband, Mark, works at a shipyard, and we juggle raising four kids: 13-year-old twins Emma and Ethan, 12-year-old Lily, and our 8-month-old baby, Mia. We both work around 50-60 hour weeks, and while Mark gets weekends off, I do not.
A man, a baby, and the mother | Source: Pixabay
For years, I enforced a chore system, teaching our kids to contribute to the household. But since Mia was born, everyone’s efforts have dwindled, Mark included. I often come home to find him on the couch, glued to his phone, while the kids are absorbed in video games or makeup tutorials.
A tired mother asking for help | Source: Pexels
The house isn’t dirty, just cluttered, but the state of the kitchen drives me insane. I’ve repeatedly voiced my frustration, sometimes resorting to drastic measures like cutting off the internet, canceling family trips, grounding the kids, and having heated arguments with Mark.
For instance, one weekend, the kitchen was a battlefield once more, the remnants of dinner scattered across the counters and dishes piled high in the sink. I stood at the doorway, my frustration simmering just beneath the surface.
A kitchen sink full of dishes | Source: Pexels
“Mark, I can’t keep doing this,” I began, my voice trembling with pent-up anger. “Every day I come home to the same mess. What do you even do all day?”
Mark looked up from his phone, his expression a mix of annoyance and guilt. “I work too, Sarah. I’m tired when I get home and would love to just rest on the weekends.”
I threw my hands up in exasperation. “And I’m not? I work just as many hours as you, if not more! But somehow, I am the only one who cares about this house being livable.”
A woman confronting a man | Source: Pexels
Mark’s face hardened. “I do my part. But sometimes I need a break too.”
“A break? You think I don’t need a break?” My voice rose, the edge of my tone sharper. “I can’t even cook dinner without washing a sink full of dishes first. The kids have chores, you have chores, but nothing gets done unless I nag everyone. I’m tired of being the bad guy.”
Mark stood up, his own temper flaring now. “I’m sorry I’m not perfect, okay? Maybe if you didn’t make such a big deal out of every little thing, the kids and I wouldn’t feel so stressed.”
A man and woman arguing | Source: Pexels
My eyes flashed. “Oh, so it’s my fault now? If you’d just step up and parent, maybe I wouldn’t have to be the one holding everything together. I’m exhausted, Mark. This isn’t just about dishes. It’s about respect and responsibility.”
The argument continued, our voices echoing through the house, each word a reminder of the growing chasm between us. On that day, he took care of the dishes and organized the house after our intense arguments but my efforts often yielded short-term improvements that quickly faded away.
A messy house | Source: Pexels
So, yesterday was no different as much as I had expected my husband and kids to at least clean the house. Before heading to work, I reminded them, saying, “You guys better have your chores done by the time I get home.” They responded with the usual, “Yes, ma’am.”
After leaving work, I texted Mark around 4:30 p.m. to ask what they wanted for dinner, and I picked up their requests at the grocery store.
I walked into our home to find the same disheartening scene, a sink overflowing with dishes, a wet load of laundry in the washer, Mark lounging on the couch, and the kids in their rooms.
Laundry in the washing machine | Source: Pexels
I set the groceries on the table, packed a bag for Mia, and told Mark, “Have at it. I’m going to Applebee’s.” He looked up in surprise, but I walked out with Mia without another word. About 20 minutes later, he called.
“I washed the dishes. I’m sorry. I was super tired today.”
“You use that excuse all the time. There are three older kids with chores, and you couldn’t even tell them to do anything?” I shot back, my patience worn thin.
Angry woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m trying to work on it. Can you just come home? I don’t know how to make this dish,” he pleaded.
I was tired of him behaving like an inexperienced baby yet he was a grown-up.
“It is a complicated dish but you can Google how to make it or find tutorials on YouTube. So, no. I’m sitting at Applebee’s, enjoying my steak and shrimp with Mia. You and the kids can fend for yourselves. Apology or not, I’m not letting you off the hook this time.”
A frustrated woman | Source: Pexels
He had me on speakerphone, and I could hear the kids in the background, chiming in, “Please grab us something from Applebee’s.”
“Absolutely not,” I said firmly and hung up.
When I returned home, the groceries were put away, and the family had settled for grilled cheese and cereal for dinner. The tension in the air was palpable as Mark and the kids sat at the table, their expressions a mix of frustration and resentment.
A girl eating cereal | Source: Freepik
“Everyone should know that this is how it will be every single time you don’t do your chores,” I stated firmly, standing my ground despite the uncomfortable silence that followed.
Mark looked up, his eyes tired but defiant. “Sarah, we get it. But was it really necessary to leave like that? You could have just told us to get it done, and we would have.”
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. “I have told you. Over and over again. And nothing changes. I’m tired of being the only one who cares enough to do something about it.”
A couple in disagreement | Source: Pexels
Emma, one of the twins, looked down at her plate, pushing her food around. “Mom, we’re sorry. We didn’t mean to make you so upset.”
Lily, the 12-year-old, chimed in, her voice small. “We didn’t think it was such a big deal. We thought you’d just remind us again.”
The sad twin looking down at her plate | Source: Pexels
I felt a pang of guilt but pushed it aside. “It is a big deal. It’s not just about the dishes. It’s about all of us taking responsibility for our home. I need to know that when I come home, I’m not walking into more work yet all you have been doing is sitting around.”
Mark leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “I understand that, Sarah. But maybe we can find a better way to handle this. Storming out isn’t the answer.”
The man at the dining | Source: Pexels
My frustration bubbled up again. “I’ve tried talking, Mark. I’ve tried asking nicely, reminding, and even nagging. Nothing sticks. I needed to show you all that I’m serious.”
He sighed, looking at the kids, then back at me. “Alright. We’ll do better. But can we also agree to talk things through before they get to this point?”
Husband and wife reconciling | Source: Pexels
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and lingering anger. “Yes, but only if everyone truly steps up. I can’t do this alone.”
The kids nodded solemnly, and Mark reached across the table to take my hand. “We’ll make it work, Sarah. We’ll all try harder.”
A happy household | Source: Pexels
As I stood there, watching my family, I couldn’t help but reflect on the day’s events. Had I gone too far? Maybe. But something had to give. I hoped this would be the wake-up call they needed. Only time would tell if the message had finally sunk in.
SHOCKING! MALIA AND SASHA OBAMA PARTY WITH DRAKE – YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT THEY WERE WEARING!
A few years after Barack Obama praised Drake, calling him talented enough to do anything, the rapper was seen partying with Obama’s daughters.
Malia and Sasha Obama were spotted at a Hollywood party with Drake, wearing outfits that showed off their fun and stylish sides. One of them showed her midriff, while the other wore a revealing top.
If you want to know more about the former first daughters, who are now all grown up, keep reading!
Life in the White House wasn’t easy for Malia and Sasha Obama, who just want to enjoy life like everyone else.
On Father’s Day, Michelle Obama shared a sweet message, thanking Barack Obama for being a loving and caring dad to their two girls, Malia and Sasha.
Malia, born on July 4, 1998, and Sasha, born on June 10, 2001, are the daughters of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. From 2009 to 2017, they lived in the White House, one of the most famous homes in the world.
Their mother, Michelle Obama, once said that the girls had to learn how to handle all the attention while staying polite and figuring out how to live their own lives under the public eye. She shared this during an interview on the *Moments that Make Us* podcast with Melinda French Gates.
Michelle Obama shared that her daughters had to be smart, confident, and independent from a young age, even while living in the White House with staff like butlers, maids, and florists. She always reminded them, “You won’t live here with me forever, so I need to help you take charge of your own life.”
In 2014, when Malia was getting ready for prom, it was hard for Barack Obama to see his oldest daughter growing up so fast.
“I think it’s fair to say that the first time you see your daughter in heels is a little bit jarring,” he said on Live with Kelly & Michael. “She’s lovely. She’s beautiful.”
After graduating high school in 2016, the young woman took a gap year before attending Harvard University, where she graduated in 2021.
Malia Obama showed an interest in entertainment and spent her gap year working in the industry. She worked as a production assistant on Halle Berry’s CBS sci-fi show *Extant* and as a writer on the Amazon series *Swarm*.
In 2024, using the name Malia Ann, she made her debut at the Sundance Film Festival with a short film she wrote and directed called *Heart*.
Back in 2008, Barack Obama told *People* that Sasha was full of energy and the comedian of the family.
After Sasha graduated from high school in 2019, she started her first year at the University of Michigan, where she had to learn online because of the COVID pandemic.
At 23, Sasha Obama graduated from the University of Southern California in May 2023 with a degree in sociology.
Now, she and her sister Malia live together in a home in Los Angeles.
Michelle Obama shared how happy it makes her to see her daughters finding comfort in each other’s company, saying, “It’s the one thing you hope for as a parent.”
Malia and Sasha also enjoy having fun together. Recently, they were spotted partying with Canadian rapper Drake at The Bird Streets Club in Los Angeles, dressed in stylish outfits that fit the occasion.
Sasha Obama showed off her belly in a black cropped corset, paired with baggy cargo pants and open-toe shoes. She wore her braids in a high ponytail and added some sparkle with earrings, a necklace, and rings.
Malia matched her sister’s cool style, wearing a sheer lace-up top with high-waisted printed pants that showed off her curves. She completed her look with long brown hair over her shoulders and chunky boots.
The sisters partied at Drake’s event, which must have been wild! Reports say they stayed out until 4 a.m. and left with their friends.
Drake, who has a mutual admiration with the Obama family, was in L.A. for his “It’s All A Blur Big As The What?” tour at the Crypto.com Arena. The Toronto-born rapper once said he’d love to play Barack Obama if a biopic is ever made.
In 2010, Drake said, “I hope someone makes a movie about Obama’s life soon because I could play him.”
In 2020, Barack Obama responded to the idea and praised Drake. “Drake seems to be able to do anything he wants,” the former president said when asked about Drake playing him in a movie. “He’s a talented guy, so if the time comes and he’s ready…”
He adds, “Drake has, more importantly I think, my household’s stamp of approval. I suspect (my daughters) Malia and Sasha would be just fine with it.”
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