According to an article on CNN.com’s “Work at Home” section, a stay at home mom’s work is valued at just under $117K per year and a mom who juggles work and a career, her ‘at home’ work is valued at $68K annually.   The fact is mom’s have a lot on their plate and the work is not 9am-5pm, 8am-6pm or even 7am-7pm; it is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  It’s just a fact.  Not to say that Dad’s don’t have a lot to juggle too but in general, Mom’s more often than not, tend to do the lions share of the work.  Of course in some homes the Dad does a fair amount of work or they evenly split duties but according to various survey’s, results show Mom’s still edge out Dad’s in the ‘motherly duties’ department. 

In general, I think there is usually one person that handles more of the household duties regardless of whether or not you have kids.  One person tends to be more of a doer than the other but it is essential you find the proper balance between each other otherwise one person will feel they are doing everything.  In our house, I edge out Darren in the ‘duties’ department but that is because I choose to in many ways.  He does have his responsibilities and is always willing to help but usually I am the one doing the laundry, paying the bills, grocery shopping and tidying up.  His responsibilities include garbage and recycling duty, washing our cars, heavy lifting and that anything requires more than a few twists of a screw driver or the bang of a hammer.   Once the baby is born, we are going to have to share even more duties and our schedule is going to be even fuller but like all parents we will find the right balance.