A hundred years ago, men worked in the fields, but their women still helped them when necessary, and took care of the house, the cooking, and the children.

Things haven’t changed much for many women. They still are expected to keep the house, work outside the home, and tend to the children. The belief that it is a woman’s job to take care of the children is a faulty one. A part of the reason is actually women’s’ fault. Mothers have a tendency to wait on their boys more than they should, and the young men grow up expecting to be taken care of, have their laundry done, their needs met.

It takes two people, under normal circumstances, to make a baby. It does not belong to only one of the parents. A child has two parents, and both are responsible for the child’s care and well-being. Fathers can no longer say, for the most part, that they earn the living, so the house and kids are the woman’s responsibility. In today’s world, two incomes are almost a necessity to provide for a family. The woman doesn’t have the luxury of staying home to tend the house and children.

So, if the woman is taking care of the house and the kids and working 40 hours a week, she is doing more than her fair share. What is dad doing after his work day? Sitting on the couch while mom is cooking and cleaning, doing his laundry and bathing the kids?

There is not likely to be a way to divide up responsibilities in any sane fashion, but a willingness to help and common consideration can go a long way to make kids happier and relieve women of some of the stress of trying to do too much.

Men can change diapers. They also can feed the baby, give sick kids an aspirin or a glass of water, or help kids with their homework while mom does the dishes or fixes dinner. They can spend some time playing with the children so mom can tend to other things, or just relax for a few minutes. Children also should take some responsibility for their care and the home, as they are able according to their age.

Sharing the responsibility for caring for the children not only gives both parents an opportunity to take care of necessary chores, but also gives both time to enjoy their children. It might also be good for dad to watch the children so mom can have a break.

Caring for children is not all work. It includes playtime, hugs and kisses, playing ball together, and bedtime stories. Families should work and play together, and no one person should have to shoulder a disproportionate share of responsibility.