Have you seen “Undercover Boss?” In this popular television show, high level corporate executives get a taste of what their rank and file employees are dealing with in their jobs and personal lives. These bosses anonymously work with their employees, side-by-side, only to discover that they have no idea how tough their employee’s job is; and how they often juggle those demands with the challenges in their personal lives. They also find how they, as the boss, are often—though unintentionally—unsympathetic to others’ challenges. As they experience some of their employees’ hurts, these executives become painfully aware of how they have mistreated their team members and learn to empathize with them. As a result, they go back to their own offices with a better understanding of how they can really help, serve and make decisions that are in the best interests of their team members.
Well, it may not be undercover, but why not stand in your spouse’s shoes for a day? Do what they normally do around the house. Perhaps they’ll do the same for you. Maybe a Saturday or another day would be best…when you don’t have to be at your office. If you usually don’t do the laundry, iron the clothes, fix the toilet, mow the lawn, cook the meals, clean up the dog mess, care for your sick child, or pay the bills, you’re experience may just help you empathize with your spouse. You’ll also better understand and appreciate the work your spouse does day in and day out.
Over my 22 years of marriage, I’ve done quite a bit of cooking, laundry, vacuuming, errand running, and grocery shopping, in addition to stuff I normally do in the yard. My wife has done demolition, weeded in the yard, raked leaves, painted the house, and other things over the years, in addition to the many things she does in the house and for our kids. So we both pretty much understand what it takes to do what the other normally does. And that’s a good thing!
Have you worked in your spouse’s shoes? If so, please share your experiences with me. If not, think about trying it for a day. Who knows, you might even decide to change some of your family job responsibilities permanently.