Get the Balance Right

You know it's not all smiles and giggles when a Depeche Mode song is invoked.

But there it is.

We're really struggling in our household with the whole work/life balance.

The father works a LOT. He is the primary breadwinner monkey.

I am the Primary Caregiver Monkey (thank you for this term, Ayun Halliday). But I also need to work. And I mean that on multiple levels.

So where does that leave things like household chores, grocery shopping, doctor's appointments, etc.?

Square in the hands of Caregiver Monkey (Ayun, you rock).

If science fiction movies have taught me anything, it's that cloning, although reducing the amount of chores and entries on my to-d list, would end in fiery havoc where machines take over and we become their slaves.

So cloning's out.

The only thing I can come up with so far is this: lower your standards.

The house? Won't be so neat.

The laundry? Will be wrinkled from sitting in the dryer for three days.

The groceries? Will have to wait, as for most people, until the weekend.

But when does Caregiver Monkey get to see the Paycheck Monkey?

Because when he's home, he spends his time with the Junior Monkeys.

This is indeed a conundrum.