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Jacqui's household manual
Before filming starts, each wife writes a manual explaining how their house is run. Below are highlights from Jacqui's manual.
HOUSEHOLD CHORES
How often do you clean your home?
The house is cleaned every day – my home is always immaculate and spotless and I have very high standards when it comes to housework. I want to have pride in my home and want it looking pukka – I will not tolerate mess.
I clean every week day for two hours, starting at 5am before I go to work. At weekends I do a proper clean, which takes around five hours.
Who does the general cleaning around the house?
I do the majority of the cleaning, but everyone pitches in. The children have lots of chores – they live here too so they are expected to help keep the house running smoothly.
When I leave for work, I leave a list of chores that I want completed before I return. I will go ballistic if I come home and find that tasks are not completed to my high standards. And when I shout – everyone trembles. The house has to be presentable at all times.
WHO DOES THE FOLLOWING, AND HOW OFTEN?
Dusting?
I dust every day and do a proper dusting on a Saturday.
Ironing?
I can't abide people who don't iron. In this house, we all iron – I like my family to look good with nicely ironed clothes.
Cleo is responsible for the majority of the ironing. She must neatly arrange the ironed clothes and take them upstairs to the bedrooms.
Cleaning the bathroom?
Apart from a thorough clean on Friday and Saturday, everybody is responsible for cleaning the bathroom after they have used it. The toilet is bleached every morning and evening and tiles cleaned and polished daily. Antony puts the bat mats in the tumble drier every day for ten minutes to make them fluffy. The bath is washed every time it has been used.
When the children have a bath, they are only allowed to use their towel and flannel once – they are then washed.
Under no circumstances can the toiler brushes be used – I don't want any much on them – they are just for show.
Cleaning the kitchen?
I clean the kitchen every day, before and after work. I bleach the kitchen table, all surfaces and cupboard doors. The microwave is cleaned, and if the oven has been used it is cleaned inside and out. I polish the cooker, kettle, and the tea and sugar cannisters to keep them shiny.
Washing-up?
Everything goes in the dish-washer, except for two old pots that I want to keep shiny – these are hand-washed.
DIY?
Desmond will fix something that is broken, and Antony will watch his father – eager to help out.
Special instructions?
While in this house, you do not touch my walls. Nobody is allowed to touch my walls. There is also a no-smoking policy in the house – I smoke in the garage.
Nobody is allowed to wear shoes inside the house. I allow people to wear socks but I don't like bare feet as they leave toe-marks on the floor.
The children are not allowed to slouch on the sofa – they must sit up straight.
COOKING / MEALS
How often do you sit down and eat together?
We try to eat around the table as much as possible, depending on our schedules.
Where do you eat dinner?
We always eat at the kitchen table in the week and in the dining room at the weekend. The children are not allowed to eat in the living room and they are not allowed to take food upstairs under any circumstances.
When are meal times?
We eat our evening meal between 5pm and 7pm in the week. Between 6pm and 8pm on weekends, and Sunday lunch is between 3pm and 5pm.
Who prepares meals?
We all make our breakfasts. Desmond, Cleo and I make our own packed lunches before we go to work. I do most of the cooking and on Sundays I cook a big meal for my extended family.
Does Desmond help with dinner?
Desmond will cook – he likes to make Jamaican food.
DAILY ROUTINE
What time do you get up?
I get up at 5am and clean until ten to seven, when I have to leave for work. Desmond gets up at 6am.
How much time do you need to get ready in the morning?
I get up almost two hours before I leave for work so that I can clean the house.
What do ever get a lie-in?
I don't like to lie in as there is always something to do.
How do you spend your week-day evenings?
If the cleaning is done, we will have dinner and chat or watch television. The kids will have chats with Desmond – he's closer to them than I am as I'm the strict one.
What time do you go to bed?
On weekdays I like to be in bed by 10pm. On weekends I may stay up until 1am.
DISCIPLINE
How do you discipline the children?
To my children, I am GOD! I do everything for them so they must obey me and listen to me. Discipline is enforced in this household.
I don't believe in being a child's best friend – you have to be a role model and, where necessary, disciplinarian.
Children need to know their boundaries and give their parents the utmost respect. We used to smack them but they are too big now. These days, they are either grounded or given a horrible chore to do. I may also take away their privileges – like their mobile phone.
THE RELATIONSHIP
Who has the final say in family decisions?
I usually discuss any major decisions with Desmond. I respect his views and he respects mine – we listen to each other.
What tips can you give for coping with Desmond?
Desmond likes to be treated with respect. You do not disrespect Desmond under any circumstances.
How do you like to be treated?
I like to be treated with the utmost respect and I expect people to give me full attention.
HOUSE PHILOSOPHY
Please sum up the philosophy of this house and life within it.
I believe in rules and order and I am strict with my children. I believe in tough love – I love my kids to pieces but don't shy away from coming down on them hard when they are out of line.
We are very proud of our Jamaican roots and we educate our children on black issues – I want my children to be proud of who they are. I don't want them to tolerate any form of discrimination – I want them to be bold and successful in life.
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