A New Washing Machine Wasn’t on My Husband’s Priority List

I thought having a baby would bring my husband and me closer together. Instead, it turned my life into a never-ending cycle of feeding, changing diapers, cleaning, cooking, and washing clothes. Our washing machine breaking down was the final straw. I was already running on fumes, and the thought of washing everything by hand was overwhelming.

When I told Billy about the washing machine, he barely looked up from his phone. “Just wash everything by hand,” he said, like it was no big deal. “People used to do it for centuries.” I couldn’t believe he was serious. Didn’t he realize I was drowning in work? We had just become parents, and our lives were already chaotic.

A man on his phone in his living room | Source: Pexels

The reason behind his reluctance to buy a new washing machine was even more infuriating. He had promised his mom a vacation and didn’t want to break his promise. I was shocked. His mom would come over once a month, watch TV, eat dinner, and take a nap while the baby slept. That wasn’t babysitting; that was visiting. I felt like he was prioritizing his mom’s vacation over my basic needs.

The first day of washing clothes by hand was a nightmare. My arms ached, and my fingers were raw. Every day was the same – wake up, feed the baby, clean, cook, do laundry by hand, wring it out, and hang it up. By the time I was done, my hands were swollen, my shoulders stiff, and my body exhausted. Billy didn’t even notice. He would come home, eat dinner, and stretch out on the couch while I was still reeling from the day’s work.

One night, I had had enough. I packed his lunch with stones and left a note that read, “Men used to get food for their families themselves. Go hunt your meal, make fire with stones, and fry it.” When he came home, furious, I stood my ground. “You thought I’d just take it, huh? That I’d wash and scrub and break my back while you sat on that couch every night without a care in the world?” He realized his mistake and finally understood why I was upset.

The next morning, Billy got up early and left without a word. When he came home, he brought a brand-new washing machine. He set it up without complaining or making excuses. When he finished, he looked up at me with a sheepish expression and said, “I get it now.” For once, he didn’t argue or justify his actions; he just accepted his mistake. And honestly, that was enough.

From that day on, things changed. Billy was more considerate of my workload, and we worked together to manage the household chores. I finally felt like I had a partner in parenting, rather than just a bystander. The new washing machine was more than just an appliance; it was a symbol of Billy’s newfound understanding and appreciation for my efforts.

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