“Lean In,” by Sheryl Sandberg
Chapter 8: “Make Your Partner a Real Partner”
As a career woman and mother of three amazing kids, I know that I would not be successful without the help and support of my superstar husband. In our family, it is my husband who thinks about birthday parties; my husband who often takes the kids to doctors' appointments; and definitely my husband who takes care of the finances.
In our family, my husband has already learned the lesson Sheryl Sandberg wants to share in the final line of this chapter when she says, "We need more men to sit at the table... the kitchen table."
The chapter is all about how men and women need to work together to ensure that everyone is given an equal and fair opportunity. But too often, she equates this to splitting family responsibilities fifty / fifty. This seems a unrealistic to me given the shifting requirements of most jobs and personal responsibilities; so I was glad that in some sections she focuses on the fair division of labor, whatever that might look like for your family.
The bottom line is, women can no longer be expected to be the sole caregiver for the children; they cannot be considered the default stay-at-home parent; and they should not be expected to work in the evenings while the husband rests if they have already been working in the home all day.
By the same token, men should be encouraged to participate in child care, and should not be told that they're doing things wrong simply because they're not doing it just like their spouse. They should have the same options as their wives to consider being the primary caregiver for their children, and they should be praised and supported if they do make that choice.
It's the 21st century. We have the opportunity to make our 21st century realities more healthy and fulfilling for everyone if men learn to lean in to the family just as women are being urged to lean in to their careers.
I’m totally onboard.
Photo Credit
Man Cooking: mid-day.com
Father helps with Laundry: deseretnews.com
Chapter 8: “Make Your Partner a Real Partner”
As a career woman and mother of three amazing kids, I know that I would not be successful without the help and support of my superstar husband. In our family, it is my husband who thinks about birthday parties; my husband who often takes the kids to doctors' appointments; and definitely my husband who takes care of the finances.
In our family, my husband has already learned the lesson Sheryl Sandberg wants to share in the final line of this chapter when she says, "We need more men to sit at the table... the kitchen table."
The chapter is all about how men and women need to work together to ensure that everyone is given an equal and fair opportunity. But too often, she equates this to splitting family responsibilities fifty / fifty. This seems a unrealistic to me given the shifting requirements of most jobs and personal responsibilities; so I was glad that in some sections she focuses on the fair division of labor, whatever that might look like for your family.
The bottom line is, women can no longer be expected to be the sole caregiver for the children; they cannot be considered the default stay-at-home parent; and they should not be expected to work in the evenings while the husband rests if they have already been working in the home all day.
By the same token, men should be encouraged to participate in child care, and should not be told that they're doing things wrong simply because they're not doing it just like their spouse. They should have the same options as their wives to consider being the primary caregiver for their children, and they should be praised and supported if they do make that choice.
It's the 21st century. We have the opportunity to make our 21st century realities more healthy and fulfilling for everyone if men learn to lean in to the family just as women are being urged to lean in to their careers.
I’m totally onboard.
Photo Credit
Man Cooking: mid-day.com
Father helps with Laundry: deseretnews.com
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