I decided to retire
By patgalca
@patgalca (18370)
Orangeville, Ontario
January 28, 2009 10:54am CST
You have heard me complain before about how my family doesn't help out much around the house. Many people, including my own mother, have suggested I go on strike. At writing group this past week a prompt was provided for me - a retirement speech. I enjoyed writing this and even read it to my family when I got home. For the rest of the day, every time they asked me what was for dinner or whatever, I reminded them that I am retired. 
Here is my speech: http://www.authspot.com/Biographies/My-Retirement-Speech.480885
Sound familiar, ladies?
They got the hint, by the way, and have started helping more around the house. My 15yo daughter took a plate with two pieces slices on it from the fridge, put them on another plate and put them in the microwave. I was stunned. She looked sheepish when I asked her why she felt the need to dirty another plate. I told her she was doing dishes that night... and she did.
My girls are 12 and almost 16 years of age. There's no reason why they can't help out around the house. Is it any wonder I'm not getting my novel finished?
Today my husband has taken the girls for a day on the slopes (PA Day at school). With my fibromyalgia I cannot participate in such an activity so I have the house and the day to myself. There is no cleaning to be done (somebody washed the dishes before I got up this morning - yay!) so I can do as I please. My first day of real retirement.
Anyone interested in joining me in retirement?
Here is my speech: http://www.authspot.com/Biographies/My-Retirement-Speech.480885
Sound familiar, ladies?
They got the hint, by the way, and have started helping more around the house. My 15yo daughter took a plate with two pieces slices on it from the fridge, put them on another plate and put them in the microwave. I was stunned. She looked sheepish when I asked her why she felt the need to dirty another plate. I told her she was doing dishes that night... and she did.
My girls are 12 and almost 16 years of age. There's no reason why they can't help out around the house. Is it any wonder I'm not getting my novel finished?
Today my husband has taken the girls for a day on the slopes (PA Day at school). With my fibromyalgia I cannot participate in such an activity so I have the house and the day to myself. There is no cleaning to be done (somebody washed the dishes before I got up this morning - yay!) so I can do as I please. My first day of real retirement.
Anyone interested in joining me in retirement?5 people like this
12 responses
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
28 Jan 09
"puts my hand up" - I'm in!!
Mind you, hubby is away for a month so I have no choice but to clean up and do everything (with the help of my 6 yr old son). I often think I'm a slave in my own home too but no matter how much I protest, nothing changes. I've even left the house for days soemtimes a week without cleaning but then it gets to the point where I can't stand it being messy and dirty so I end up doing it anyway.
I really enjoyed the speech Pat :) Thanks for sharing.
2 people like this
Thanks for your support.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
29 Jan 09
Hi patglaca! haha..Sounds familiar alright! Congratulations on your retirement! 
I have read the speech in your blog and I do can relate with it although I have no children but I drop whatever I am doing when my dear husband needs me on anything. But I am not retiring because I am just glad that my husband do help "somehow" around the house when TOLD! haha..
Take care and have a great day!
lovelots..faith
I have read the speech in your blog and I do can relate with it although I have no children but I drop whatever I am doing when my dear husband needs me on anything. But I am not retiring because I am just glad that my husband do help "somehow" around the house when TOLD! haha..
Take care and have a great day!
lovelots..faith1 person likes this
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Good for you! Waiting on people hand and foot with no help or appreciation , is not fun . Glad to hear things are better and it sounds like you got it all under control.....retirement is wonderful and well deserved...keep us posted....
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
2 Apr 09
Well, after reading your speech, I think that I might have to retire too. It is excellent!! I am having problems with an 18 year old daughter who lives on her own on property that we own and she still relies on us a lot ,but she thinks that she doesn't have to do anything that we tell her to do. I am trying to be patient with her but last night it came to a large argument and I am tired of being so stressed with her.
I know that she is an adult and I know that she can do on her own.However, I homeschool her and her sister and I think that I deserve some respect as her mother and her teacher. I feel like telling her that I can't let her graduate as long as she won't do what I expect of her.
Maybe all mothers need to go on strike.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18370)
• Orangeville, Ontario
3 Apr 09
Mothers and wives are so under-appreciated. I think family members believe we were put on this earth just to serve them. My 15yo is anxious to move out but she wouldn't survive a day out in the real world. She can't even wash dishes without me rinsing them completely of food scraps; they make her gag.
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for reading. @carolscash (9492)
• United States
30 Jan 09
I love it! Although, I would like to be a stay at home mom now and be doing more housework we just can't afford it. My husbands' work is so sporatic and I never know when he will work,but I would like to get to where I could be home. I would still expect them to be helping with things. I think that you should stick with your retirement for a little while and let them see what it is like to have to do more around there.
Your girls are old enough to be helping and I would expect them too!
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18370)
• Orangeville, Ontario
30 Jan 09
It's not working out well as far as the cooking of meals. Seems no one know what to do about dinner. I gave in and put some pork chops in the slow cooker this morning and even peeled the potatoes at that time. *sigh*
Thanks for your support.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
29 Jan 09
Hey pat! Congratualtions on your retirement! I think that is
great and about time! When I was that age and way younger
my brother and I had plenty of chores to do around the house.
My mother worked and we all helped! I don't understand why
your daughters weren't helping you long before this! I guess
you just had to put your foot down! Certainly they are old
enough to help with cleaning and even making meals! I hope
that you enjoy your retirement and get that novel done!
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
30 Jan 09
That is great that they are helping you now, but its terrible to hear you had to retire to get results. Sadly, I had to do the same thing many years ago and now my husband makes his own meals and I make meals only when I feel like cooking. He appreciates the meal more. My daughter can make a basic meal after that retirement and I'm glad that she can cook. She is an adult now.
@BarBaraPrz (47344)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
28 Jan 09
I've been giving my occupation as "retired" for about a year now... of course, there's no one else here to complain about dishes not being done, etc., so I can get away with it.
Hope your retirement lasts longer than a day.
Hope your retirement lasts longer than a day.
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
30 Jan 09
Good for you. I know exactly how you feel when there are others in the home, and they don't do their fair share. Over the last year I have gotten to the point that I do very little around the house, and if they don't do it, it doesn't get done. I work many hours and currently neither of my daughters are working. They have finally gotten the clue and over the last month or so, they have began to pick up their weight and do things around here. Sometimes I still have to ask, but sometimes they will do it on their own.
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
18 Feb 09
Although I am not quite ready to retire, having a day to do whatever I like sounds pretty great right now. I hope you enjoyed your "retirement". I'm glad to hear your daughters responded well to you and are now pitching in to help. It's nice that your husband is having days out with the kids also. Take care.
@summerfire (427)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I read your speech...that was so funny. :) I am retired and I work more that I am retired lol, I hope yours works better
