Women + manual labor

My DH is not a handy type of guy. He knows that owning a house is going to mean more DIY than he ever wanted to imagine.

But I'm kind of excited about it. I've had some pretty hands-on manual types of jobs, unlike him. Although I'm not that strong anymore, I'll probably be right beside DH with the house projects. Even the labor intensive ones.

DH is not a manly-man handy-man by any stretch of the imagination. But he's going to have to learn! And he's been working out a lot so I'm sure we'll put his new muscles to use.

What about you? Do you do labor intensive projects with your DH? Anyone with a non-handy DH?

Guys, does your wife get her hands dirty?

Re: Women + manual labor

DH is a true Mr Fix-It. I am a spaz. I get in his way.

When he is doing a project, the best thing I can do for our marriage is stay away. I will go shopping, or take the baby and dog for a walk, anything helpful that does not involve being near him.

This is how we stay married and in love!

Re: Women + manual labor

Our neighbors all tease my husband. I am the one that is outside mowing the lawn & doing all the gardening. If something needs to be fixed, I am usually out there doing it myself or assisting DH. When we first bought the house, my DH was not handy. He learned by asking my dad to show him. But he knows he can always count on me to be by his side no matter how labor intense it is.

Re: Women + manual labor

we do EVERYTHING ourselves, 99% of the time we work on projects together. All of the hard core gardening I do on my own.
I'm not exactly a girlie-girl & DH is a manly-man so I always try to keep up with him.

Re: Women + manual labor

Im the handy one, DH will say the same thing. He is the "computer man" and I fix what needs to be fixed. He did have a very hard time with this but now has come to realize if he trys to "fix" it, it ends up damaged worse.

Re: Women + manual labor

We're both pretty handy. He's a lot better than I am, but we like to do 'DIY' stuff together. My ex is an amazing carpenter, so we just have him do anything that we can't

Re: Women + manual labor

whatever projects we think we can DIY we do. I help DH as much as I can, but I'm always right by his side to help in anyway I can. I think I have changed some since we bought the house. I'm more willing to get my hands dirty and try to figure things out for ourselves. When we can't figure it out DH might ask his Dad for some help, but for the most part, we have done most of the projects ourselves.

Re: Women + manual labor

I'm the one with the tool box! But, DH gives 100% effort and is starting to learn how to do things.

Re: Women + manual labor

DH and I are learning together with the help from our fathers. They help us, but usually shoo me away during the heavy meanul labor jobs, but I try to be as much as an equal to everything they do.

Re: Women + manual labor

We both do DIY but, we work on separate projects usually. Both of us like to do our own thing but, will help each other if the need arises.

Re: Women + manual labor

Dh does everything and I attempt to help. My biggest achievement was when I pulled all the shingles off the house while he was at work to prep it for new siding. I even went on the roof to get them off.
Then I did all the tyveking.

Re: Women + manual labor

I am usually the handy one. DH will do it but I need to make a project plan and guide him. I am the instruction manual reader. He has problems following them.

I am the one coming up with projects. Like rearranging the furniture, buying furniture, painting....I come up with the home improvements. Except this year with the baby, I usually mow the lawn.

We don't tackle major projects though (kitchen remodel, gutting out a bathroom, etc...). Mostly because DH is not that handy (I know how to do it!!!) but it's too much work. I can't devote that much time to such project with a 3 month old baby.

Re: Women + manual labor

We both do the labor-intensive projects. Luckily, DH is handy and likes doing stuff like this.

We have such a short time frame to get our new house ready for move-in, though, that we are hiring people to do most of the big projects.

Re: Women + manual labor

We both do a lot of work. DH is very handy and I like to help out. However I have had my share of manual labor the past five months. I am ready for a break!

Re: Women + manual labor

Neither DH nor I are very handy and no one in our family is handy! So, we don't really do any DIY - we need to hire someone for anything big!

Re: Women + manual labor

I'm the handy one. Poor DH doesn't really have a clue, but he is willing to learn. I do think it bothers him that I know and do so much, he says it takes away from his manlyness. I just laugh. I grew up watching home shows, went to architectur school and work in the field. I can't help knowing what I know.

Re: Women + manual labor

I'm so glad I'm not alone!

Re: Women + manual labor

Kevin is handy, I love that he can fix stuff and we don't have to call in a professional for every little thing. I like to help him out, it's my house too and it's nice to get things done together. Then we can both reap the rewards and be proud of our hard work!!

Re: Women + manual labor

Re: Women + manual labor

I'm an electrician, he's a teacher, we both have tool boxes.

Re: Women + manual labor

Posted by greenfreak

My DH is not a handy type of guy. He knows that owning a house is going to mean more DIY than he ever wanted to imagine.

But I'm kind of excited about it. I've had some pretty hands-on manual types of jobs, unlike him. Although I'm not that strong anymore, I'll probably be right beside DH with the house projects. Even the labor intensive ones.

DH is not a manly-man handy-man by any stretch of the imagination. But he's going to have to learn! And he's been working out a lot so I'm sure we'll put his new muscles to use.

What about you? Do you do labor intensive projects with your DH? Anyone with a non-handy DH?

Guys, does your wife get her hands dirty?

Re: Women + manual labor

I do all the fixing (house, yard, computers, etc.) DW has no problem helping me out with things I need help with, though. She'll help with the ladder when I'm on the roof, or carrying big, awkward things, etc. For the last 4 years, her main job is to keep DC from "helping" Daddy do stuff.....

Re: Women + manual labor

DH is the handy one when it comes to doing repairs or figuring out how to put something together. I can do some things, but it takes a great deal of time and effort.

I don't mind getting my hands dirty though, and I help him as much as I can with projects, though my help is limited these days since I'm 7 months. Before we lived together and got married, I could use a drill, had a lot of tools, did some tub caulking, and knew how to do basic projects like install shelving or curtain rods. I've gotten lazier in these areas though since he's just better at it and can do it faster.

In terms of yardwork, we totally fall into typical gender roles--he takes care of the lawn, I take care of the garden areas.

Re: Women + manual labor

Call me Mrs. Fix it. I do all the projects or direct DH on how to do them and have him lift the heavy stuff. Sometimes.
I've painted most of the rooms myself, torn up the carpets, installed the AC unit, put down the kitchen floor myself, do all the gardening (we have a landscaper to do the lawn), assemble and fix things. I also cook and clean.
He rocks at cutting the hedges though. I suck at that. I also can't write a letter to save my life.

Message edited 9/25/2007 9:50:53 AM.

Re: Women + manual labor

Yep, I was right there along DH for most of the projects (although he built lots of closets and things that I didn't help with).