Right now I'm preparing to go back to school and I'm in the process of washing some clothes. I leave for a few minutes and next thing I know, Dad has taken over my laundry.
Dad always does this; everytime I decide to do some chore, he decides to pitch in. Sometimes he takes over the chore and takes it off of my hands altogether. Whenever I do something, whether it's washing dishes, washing clothes, cooking, taking out the trash, etc., he gets up from his chair and "watches," waiting for an opportunity to "help out."
But that's not the problem. The problem I have with all of this is that he's always willing to jump over a few fences and bend over backwards trying to help me out. But he NEVER does this for Mom, the one who really needs the extra-hand. I take that back...he VERY SELDOMLY lifts a finger for Mom. Mom can't even ask Dad to do something without him having 21 questions or getting upset.
Dad has no obligations to work; he's disabled so therefore he's home all of the time. He sits in his chair all day and does nothing (unless my doing work around the house prompts him). Mom works all day long and comes home tired. Very tired. Things go undone and unfinished.
I try to help out by at least washing the dishes and sweeping the floors, occasionally doing the laundry and cooking the dinner. If she doesn't do it, and if I don't do it, 9 times out of 10 it goes undone. I try to help Mom out, but it seems like it's never enough. For the past 2 and a half years that I've been away at school, and for the semesters that are to come, I can't help but wonder how things stay together around here.
This thing that Dad does--willing to help all others except his own wife, the one that's taking care of him--is really starting to tick me off. Dad, I appreciate the help, but don't forget Mom! *sigh* I wish he would be more understanding.
).
He hasn't been doing this until I left for college, and everytime I come home he's getting my bags out of the car and taking care of my laundry. *rubs chin* Maybe that's it...