Chores aren’t meant to be fun — that’s why they’re called chores. But some chores are especially exhausting and tedious, so much so that we’d do almost anything to get out of doing them. That was what one recent theAsianparent Community discussion was all about:
“Mummies, what chores do you dislike doing the most?”
The Least Favourite Chore: Laundry and Ironing
Mother doing household chores and child
Laundry was, hands-down, the most hated chore of the mothers on theAsianparent Community. Using a washing machine doesn’t help, because it’s the organising and hanging up that most mothers don’t like. “I find it to be the most mundane chore ever,” wrote Nooraini D. “Plus, my back aches each time I have to carry the pole out to sun-dry them.”
Plenty of mothers also confessed to hating ironing because of how complicated it is. “Ironing is my worst of all time,” Danni S. wrote. “Mainly because I’m not so good at it!”
Similarly, Theresa T. couldn’t hold back her frustration with the chore: “Can’t get the men’s shirt straight!!!”
How to make doing the laundry more bearable
One theAsianparent Community user shared her way of making laundry less tedious, even enjoyable. “While waiting for the laundry to be done or when folding the clothes I would always catch a tv show or listening to podcast at the same time,” Wei T.C. wrote. “And I always try to get wrinkle-free fabrics for my wardrobe to save the ironing work.”
Least Favourite Chore Runner-Up: Doing the Dishes
Most moms said that they enjoyed cooking for their families, but washing the dishes was another matter. “There are so many utensils and bowls involved in meal preparation, so I cook and my husband does the washing,” Jamie K. explained. “It’s not always clean, but it’s something.”
Sometimes it was a matter of comfort. “My hands get so dry from the dishwashing liquid sometimes it starts cracking!” said Nadiah S. “I’ve tried using latex glove and everything, but then when you don’t have direct skin contact, you can’t really tell whether the dishes are already clean or not.”
How to make doing the dishes enjoyable
Just like doing the laundry, playing a little music or listening to a podcast can make doing the dishes less of an ordeal. As for harsh dishwashing liquids, opt for a liquid that’s mild or formulated for sensitive skin.