I never thought working from home would turn me into my wife’s full-time servant. For three years, I juggled a career, childcare, and household chores until my mom stepped in — and everything changed in ways I never expected.
“I never imagined working from home would turn me into Ruby’s full-time servant,” I muttered, scrubbing dishes while answering emails.
A man washing the dishes | Source: Freepik
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. When we got married, everything seemed equally split between us. But now, with the twins and her job, things have changed.
Ruby gave birth to our twin boys three years ago. She spent two months at home before returning to work, eager to continue building her career. It made sense at first. Ruby’s job was demanding, and I had the flexibility to work from home, so I took on childcare.
A man working on his laptop | Source: Pexels
“I can handle this,” I had told myself. “It’s temporary, and Ruby will help once things settle down.”
But nothing settled down.
In those first few months, I did more than just watch the kids. I fed them, changed diapers, and cleaned up messes. Ruby would come home exhausted, drop her bag by the door, and collapse on the couch.
An exhausted woman | Source: Pexels
“I’m beat,” she’d sigh. “Can you handle dinner?”
“Sure,” I’d say, juggling the boys and cooking. It wasn’t ideal, but I figured, why not? She was tired from work, and I was already home.
As time passed, though, I noticed Ruby wasn’t just tired. She seemed to expect that everything would be handled at home. I wasn’t just a father anymore — I was the cook, the cleaner, and the one running errands.
A woman lounging on the couch at home | Source: Pexels
“Can you pick up my dry cleaning?” she’d ask, heading out the door.
“Did you start the laundry?” she’d say over the phone while at work.
The boys eventually started kindergarten, and I thought, “Finally, I’ll get a break.” But Ruby still saw me as the person responsible for everything at home. It didn’t matter that I also worked full-time.
A tired man | Source: Pexels
One night, I brought it up.
“Ruby,” I said, sitting next to her after the kids had gone to bed. “I think we need to divide the chores a bit better. I’m working too, and I can’t do everything by myself.”
She looked up from her phone, frowning slightly. “But you’re home all day,” she said. “You have time to do these things.”
A woman on her laptop | Source: Pexels
I felt a sharp sting of frustration. “I’m working, too,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “It’s not just about being at home. I need some help.”
Ruby sighed, rubbing her temples. “I’m exhausted when I get home. My job takes everything out of me. Can’t you just keep managing it for now?”
A tired woman covering her face with a book | Source: Pexels
I didn’t argue. I let it go. But inside, I was fuming. How could she not see that I was also exhausted? I didn’t want to live in a messy house, so I kept up with the chores, but it was wearing me down.
It wasn’t just the housework. I missed my friends. I hadn’t gone out in months. If I wasn’t working, I was either cleaning or caring for the kids. My life was shrinking, and Ruby didn’t seem to notice.
A black and white shot of a sad man | Source: Pexels
The breaking point came when my mom unexpectedly dropped by one afternoon. She never visited during the week, but she had made lasagna and thought I might like some.
When she walked into the house, I was in the middle of cooking dinner, folding laundry, and trying to answer a work email. She watched me for a moment, her eyes narrowing.
An elderly woman watching | Source: Pexels
“What on earth are you doing?” she asked, her voice full of surprise.
“Just the usual,” I replied, trying to smile. “Cooking, cleaning, working. The usual.”
Mom put the lasagna down on the counter and stared at me. “Do you do this all the time?”
A tired man laying on the table | Source: Pexels
I nodded. “Yeah. Ruby’s really busy with work, so I handle most of the house stuff.”
Her brow furrowed. “This isn’t right. You’re working too. You shouldn’t be doing everything.”
I shrugged, feeling a lump form in my throat. “I don’t mind it, Mom. But it’s getting hard. I haven’t seen my friends in months. I’m exhausted.”
A tired man wiping his face | Source: Pexels
Mom’s expression changed. There was a fire in her eyes now. “This has gone too far. I know exactly what needs to be done.”
Before I could respond, she was already grabbing her phone.
“Mom, what are you doing?”
“You’ll see,” she said, her voice firm.
