[ddhuab]

Would it be possible to learn to cook a couple of simple meals (like broiled /baked/marinated chicken breasts or shake and bake pork chops, mac-and-cheese, and some green beans or something?) and do that one-to-two nights a week when you get home, AND do the dishes so Hilary can get a night totally "off" with the exception of keeping Liam occupied? Or maybe Liam could "help" you, or she could entertain him and sit and talk to you while you do the cooking?

OR, maybe you could order take out and pick it up on the way home? (And invest in some paper plates and cups and call that "picnic" night)?

Maybe those ideas won't work -- I freely admit I have no experience here, as I am still waiting to adopt -- but I'm a grad student and teach part-time and get most (ok, ALL) of the in-house chores, and I get in ruts where I MUST require dh to cook -- or I marinate and he grills and then does clean-up... a lot of times he will just pitch in when he thinks I am overwhelmed with grading papers, etc. and will clean up the kitchen or -- gasp --- do a load of laundry and fold it (although this is generally only TOWELS, but that is one less load I have to do).

We are trying to order out less because we are trying to budget (both for the adoption and so that I can be a SAHM).

I don't know if these are good suggestions, but DH does help me sometimes, and he often works 60+ hours a week and we live an hour out of town. I'm sure I am making myself sound really lazy, but, honestly, I think I missed the domestic gene... we've been married 7 years now, though, and after about 2 years of "disaster house" when I worked full-time and went to school, I realized I had to give up on EQUALITY in housework. Now we have a really cheap housecleaning service every two weeks - but they barely do ANYTHING -- it encourages me, though, to keep the house clean enough for the service to run in and mop, vaccuum, and clean the kitchen and bathrooms.

I know Hilary does MUCH more than I have to, but believe me, a LITTLE effort by the "working" spouse goes a long way and is really appreciated!

Sorry so long - I just have always enjoyed your posts here and I hope you get some good ideas.

D.