Stepdad Refuses to Do Chores Until Wife’s Kids Pitch In

Meet our protagonist, a 37-year-old stepdad who’s been happily married to his 39-year-old wife for quite some time. They have three kids, aged 12, 9, and 7, and he’s proud to be their stepfather. He enjoys doing more than 50% of the house and yard work, but there’s one thing that’s been bothering him: his wife won’t make her kids do any chores. With everyone at home during these times, the housework has tripled, and our stepdad is feeling overwhelmed. He’s had enough and decided to stop doing chores until the kids pitch in. But is he in the wrong?

Stepdad’s Love for His Family

Chore Frustration

Overwhelmed by Housework

Wife’s Resistance

Stepdad’s Solution

Maintaining Relationships

Fair Share for All

Wife’s Reaction

Grateful for Feedback

Privileged Stepdad

Blended Family Tip

Parenting Responsibilities

Avoiding Overstepping ‍♂️

Stepdad’s Chores Standoff: Who’s Right?

Our stepdad protagonist is feeling overwhelmed with the increased housework and his wife’s refusal to make her kids help with chores. He’s decided to stop doing chores until the kids pitch in, but his wife thinks he’s being unsupportive. Is he in the wrong, or is his wife babying her kids and overloading him? Let’s see what the internet thinks of this situation…

NTA. Commenters share their own experiences and offer advice.

Stepdad refuses to do chores until wife’s kids pitch in

Teaching kids the dignity of work and joy of labor.

Teaching kids chores is important for their future self-sufficiency

Teaching kids basic responsibilities is important for their future success

Commenter stops reading over unflushed toilets, gets witty reply.

NTA. Commenter points out the basic function of flushing toilets.

Stepdad takes logical approach to chores, sparks discussion on household responsibilities ‍

Stepdad stands up for himself and gets called out.

Even toddlers can do chores better than stepkids.

Stepdad’s ultimatum backfires as wife refuses to discuss chores. NTA.

Stepdad’s tough love approach to chores gets support.

Passive-aggressive solution to stepdad’s chore problem

Teaching kids to clean at a young age

Teaching kids responsibility is crucial. NTA for refusing chores.

Teaching kids responsibility with age-appropriate chores

Teaching kids responsibility early on is important for their future

Taking a “mommy vacation” is a great way to show your family how much work you do.

Spoiled only child admits lack of chores messed them up.

Teaching a 5-year-old to do chores? NTA, but moping to mopping!

Stepson can’t even flush the toilet, NTA for wanting help

Commenter questions why wife’s kids don’t flush toilet.

Teaching kids responsibility is important

Curious about the wife’s perspective

Stepdad stands up for himself, reevaluates relationship with wife and kids.

Cleaning up after yourself is NTA, but everyone should pitch in

Commenter believes stepdad is NTA and criticizes mom’s parenting.

Teaching kids chores is important for their future. NTA.

Stepdad expects basic decency from wife’s kids

Stepdad rightfully concerned about kids’ lack of responsibility. NTA

NTA comment urges wife to teach kids basic life skills ‍

Stepdad asserts authority but refuses chores in blended family

Encouraging comment on teaching kids responsibility during quarantine.

Stepdad being taken advantage of by wife and kids

Teaching kids responsibility through chores, NTA stepdad wins

Stepdad feels unheard as a parent in his own home.

Teaching kids responsibility through chores is important

Engage your family in cleaning chores with a daily 20-minute timer

Toilet troubles and chores – the struggles of blended families.

Stepdad takes a stand against wife’s kids’ laziness

Encouraging comment about the importance of teaching kids responsibility

Former chore-hating person supports stepdad’s request for help

Stepdad takes a stand and sparks a debate

Stepdad’s tough love approach to chores gets support.

Teaching kids household chores is important for their future. NTA.

Stepdad stands up for himself and demands equal contribution

Stepdad’s chore ultimatum sparks disbelief and support. NTA.

Stepdad deserves a break and a say in chores.

Time for a chore strike!

Teaching kids responsibility through chores and pocket money

Stepdad sets rules for wife’s kids, NTA. Teaching responsibility early

Stepdad takes stand on chores, wife’s kids need tough love

Stepdad takes a stand with chores, gets blamed by wife

Stepdad gets support for not doing chores until wife’s kids help

Stepdad refuses to do chores until wife’s kids pitch in. NTA! ‍♂️

Parenting fail? Stepdad’s refusal to do chores sparks debate.

Stepdad takes a stand, internet approves

Commenter receives validation for their NTA stance.

NTA, but cleaning standoff is a recipe for disaster

Teaching kids basic chores is important for their future. NTA.

Teaching kids basic hygiene is crucial