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Leesa's household manual
Before filming starts, each wife writes a manual explaining how their house is run. Below are highlights from Leesa's manual.
HOUSEHOLD CHORES
How often do you clean your home?
I clean everyday, simply because it needs doing. It's my own choice; I'm the fussy one, not Mick. So if it needs doing I'll do it; if it doesn't I won't.
Who does the general cleaning around the house?
I mainly do the cleaning but only because Mick's at work six days a week and he works really hard.
When he gets home from work, he'll always offer to help me out with stuff. Even though day-to-day he doesn't do the amount that I do, he likes to help me and if he sees things need doing, he'll get on and do them without needing to be asked.
WHO DOES THE FOLLOWING, AND HOW OFTEN?
Vacuuming?
Every morning at about 11am, I will hoover through out downstairs, then mop and let it dry.
Dusting?
I usually do this on a Tuesday at 10am, and a Sunday just after I've put in the meat for the roast. If the place looks like it's getting dusty in between then, I'll do it.
Ironing?
I never touch the iron and Mick isn't bothered by his appearance. He'll often come down wearing un-ironed clothes thinking that it's passable. Grant will make him take it off and iron it for him. Grant does the ironing for us as we need it, and he'll iron the kids' uniforms on Sunday evenings.
Cleaning the bathroom?
I'll give the bathroom the once over after I've picked Mickey up from school at about 4pm. I do it everyday but all the family are expected to clean the bath after themselves, and keep it tidy. At weekends, I tend to do a major clean, bleach the toilet, sink, bath, window ledge on Sundays at midday.
Cleaning the kitchen?
I clean the kitchen as I go along, but I'll always give it a thorough clean at about 10.30am on a Sunday morning when I'm doing the roast. I'll also straighten out the saucepan cupboard and food cupboard – making sure everything's tidy.
Washing-up?
I do a lot of the washing up, but I get help from both Mick and Grant. Mick will do it at least twice a week. After dinner, if I'm doing something upstairs, I'll hear the taps going and Mick's just got on and done it. Some nights I'll actually ask him to do it – which he'll happily do. Grant does the washing up about three times a week. When he gets back from work, Grant will put the dishes away and also wash up his own dinner plate.
I'll wash-up the breakfast dishes when I get back from taking the kids to school at 9.15am. There's always something in the sink to be done. After dinner, I'll have a fag and a cup of tea and then do the washing up.
Gardening?
Mick does all the gardening. When we moved into the house, the garden was in an awful state. Mick spent loads of time on it to make it really nice for the family. He built a pond, repaired the fences, double-glazed the shed and made a swing for the kids. In the summer, the family spends a lot of time in the garden, we bang up the stereo in the shed and just enjoy ourselves.
COOKING / MEALS
How often do you sit down and eat together?
We eat together as a family everyday. The tea is timed for when Mick gets back from work, so we can all sit down and eat as a family. Grant's at work when we eat our main meal, so I leave it in the microwave for him.
Where do you eat?
We always eat together on our laps in the front room. We eat off of plates on our laps.
When are meal times?
During the week, and on Saturdays, we'll eat our main meal between 5 and 6pm. On Saturdays, Grant gets in from work at about 6pm, so we all eat together on Saturdays.
On Sunday, when we have a roast we'll eat it all together at around 3.30pm
Who prepares meals?
By the time I get up, Mick has already left for work and he'll get something out. Everyone else grabs their own, except for Micky. Grant will get him a bowl of cereal. I don't eat breakfast myself.
During lunchtime, I'll usually be on my own in the house and grab something when I'm hungry. If I'm on a diet, I'll eat a jacket potato with beans (no butter), boiled eggs with Ryvita. If I'm not, I'll eat a white bread sandwich or toast and jam. I make Mick's sandwiches the night before, and the kids have lunch at school.
Does Tony help with dinner?
Mick likes to help me around the house and will get on and do it if I ask. If he gets the day off on Saturday, he will cook for the family to give me a rest.
DAILY ROUTINE
What time do you get up?
Mick gets up first, around 6-6.30am; sometimes earlier. I get up around 7.15am and Grant gets up at 7.45am and takes Mickey to school.
How much time do you need to get ready in the morning?
About an hour.
Do you ever get a lie-in?
I certainly do! Once the kids are at school I can come home and have a lie-in. If I've been to bed late, I'll stay in bed until midday. On Saturdays, I'll normally have a lie-in until 10am – the kids usually take care of themselves until I get up. Mick works on Saturdays so he's out of the house by 7am. On Sundays, we have a lie-in together until about 9am, when Mick gets up, sees to the kids and puts some washing on.
How do you spend your week-day evenings?
Mick and I will usually spend all our evenings together at home. On Tuesdays, I will go out and play darts with my ladies team.
What time do you go to bed?
Our bed-times vary. We try to go to bed together to spend some time with each other, watching TV and relaxing. When Mick falls asleep, I'll get up to see if any chores need doing or go on the Internet. I usually go to sleep at around 2am.
DISCIPLINE
Who does the child-care? What does it involve
I do the majority of it, like taking them to school, doctors & dentists mainly because Mick's at work in the day. But Mick is always hands-on in the evening when he gets home from work.
How do you discipline the children?
Mick and I are very much a team when it comes to discipline. I'll usually shout at them and if they're still playing up, I'll leave the final part to Mick. He's firmer with them and they listen to him. When he gets home from work, he'll deal with it. We rarely smack the kids. We'll normally punish them by taking something away from them, like their mobile phone or insist on an earlier bedtime.
THE RELATIONSHIP
Who has the final say in family decisions?
It's usually 50-50. Big decisions like where to go on holiday and financial decisions to do with the house, we discuss together. On smaller things, like punishments for the kids I'll usually get my own way because I'm the stronger one in the couple.
What tips can you give for coping with Mick?
He's a devoted, loving husband and I'm the centre of his universe. Everything he does is for the kids and for me. He's very easy going and will do anything for anyone.
He tends to be a bit shy and prefers to stay at home with me rather than go out.
How do you like to be treated?
With respect. As long as I'm respected, I'll get on with anybody. As long as I'm asked politely to do things, I'll be OK.
I don't mind hard work but if I feel someone's taking advantage I'll not abide it. I'm very loud and vocal and you'll know about it if I'm annoyed.
HOUSE PHILOSOPHY
Please sum up the philosophy of this house and life within it.
It's a very loving household where family will always come first. We're straightforward people who get straight to the point. It can also be a bit unpredictable here with things going on and family popping round.
Above all, it's a family orientated house.
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