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Dawn's household manual
Before filming starts, each wife writes a manual explaining how their house is run. Below are highlights from Dawn's manual.
HOUSEHOLD CHORES
How often do you clean your home?
I clean round the house everyday after the kids have gone to school. I do it all myself; Paul doesn't ever help out around the house.
Who does the general cleaning around the house?
I do all the cleaning. It's very important to both of us to have a clean and tidy home; Paul really likes the fact that I'm so neat and tidy. In fact he insists on coming back to a tidy house, even though he doesn't do anything to help.
WHO DOES THE FOLLOWING, AND HOW OFTEN?
Vacuuming?
At 9.50am everyday – including Saturday and Sundays – I sweep throughout the downstairs. I also change the newspaper under the parrot's cage and the cats' feeding bowls, and put fresh newspaper down. I sweep and mop the kitchen floor every morning.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning I vacuum upstairs and I'll vacuum the mat in the lounge twice a week (Tuesday & Thursday).
Dusting?
At about 9.30am everyday – including weekends – I dust the tables, settee, mirrors, ornaments and pictures. Every Monday afternoon at about midday, I'll give the kids' rooms a proper tidy and clean. I try to get Natalie to do her own room, but it's a bit of a losing battle, so I'll normally end up doing it myself.
Ironing?
Paul is extremely fussy about his appearance, and his clothes need to be ironed perfectly. His trousers have to have a crease down the middle, and his shirts need a crease down the arm. He also likes a crease down his designer jeans, but not his casual one. I usually iron at least 3 pairs of jeans, 3 shirts and 3 gym tops for him every Thursday at 1pm. I've usually done all his ironing by the weekend, but sometimes I'll have to iron something for him for Saturday night. I iron the kids' school shirts on Sunday evenings ready for the week, between 6-7pm, before I sit down to Coronation Street. I lay Natalie's uniform in the lounge and she'll come down and get it on Monday morning. I also lay out both their school bags, with their homework in it, and their school shoes that I'll have polished.
Cleaning the bathroom?
At about 1.30pm everyday, I clean the bathroom, wiping over the sink, bath and toilet. I'll do the same to the kids' bathroom upstairs.
Cleaning the kitchen?
At 9.30am, when I'm back from school, I wipe over the kitchen surfaces with Flash spray. I'll wipe round the microwave, cooker and fridge/freezer. I'll wipe the units down every other day.
Washing-up?
I do the washing up as soon as we've finished eating. I'll never leave the dishes in the sink overnight. Paul and the kids don't ever offer to help, except Natalie who offers once a month. After dinner, I'll always wash and dry up. I wash and dry the breakfast things after I come back from school at 9.15am.
Gardening?
Paul can't be bothered with the gardening, so we have to pay a gardener to come once a week.
COOKING / MEALS
How often do you sit down and eat together?
We sit down and eat all together as a family about once a week, twice if we're lucky. I'd like for Paul to eat with us more often, but he comes home when he's ready and will eat on his own. On Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays, Paul will usually come home after we've eaten. I'll put his dinner in the microwave and heat it up for him when he gets home.
Where do you eat?
I've recently moved the dining-table into the sitting-room, so me and the kids will sit at the table and eat.
When are meal times?
Paul leaves very early in the morning, so we don't see him. The kids and I will eat breakfast at around 8am. I'll get them cereal or toast and they'll either eat it at the table or on the settee while watching TV. I usually have toast and make some for Bruce (the parrot).
I'll normally eat a light lunch around 1pm. On Tuesdays, after I've done the main shop, I'll go to The Barge for lunch and have a BLT sandwich, a salad and a glass of Soave. I do watch what I eat because I'm very conscious of my weight, especially living with a body-builder. I don't think I'm really slim but I like to keep to a size 10.
In the evening, I make three meals: one for Kane; one for Natalie because she's semi-vegetarian, and I'll eat the same as Paul. The kids and I will sit down to dinner usually at 6.30pm.
Who prepares meals?
I do all the cooking myself; it's always been this way.
Does Paul help with dinner?
You've got to be joking! During nine years of marriage, Paul has never cooked. He isn't around that much either, so when he is he wouldn't want to spend any time in the kitchen.
DAILY ROUTINE
What time do you get up?
George is my alarm clock: when he barks to go out I'll get up which is usually at 7am, sometimes earlier. I'll wake the kids up at 7.45am. Paul's work hours vary – at the moment he'll either leave before I get up, or he'll leave about 10am but he won't get in my way. He'll spend the morning on his phone sorting out work stuff and he'll eat breakfast elsewhere. I'll make an effort if I'm socialising in the evening or going out for lunch.
How much time do you need to get ready in the morning?
The kids and I will be ready to leave the house for school by 8.20am.
Do you ever get a lie-in?
I very rarely get a chance to have a lie in. In the week, I have to get the kids up and out to school. At weekends, I have to get up to sort the dogs out. When George barks, Paul will never get up and let him out – it's always me. I'll get out of bed and let them out and then go back to bed for a little while. At the weekends, if the kids are up and playing quietly, I'll go back to bed until 9 or 10am. If they're screaming and shouting I'll get up and get on with my day.
How do you spend your week-day evenings?
Most evenings are spent on my own with the kids. After the kids and I have had baths, I'll watch TV with a glass of wine.
Paul normally gets back from work between 3.30-4pm. He'll get his stuff together for training and then train from 5-6pm. On Mondays he'll get home at 7.30pm. Tuesday's he'll get home 7-7.30pm. On Wednesday's, if Man United are playing he'll stay out to watch the game and get back around 10pm. On Thursdays, he has a golf lesson from 8-9pm and then he'll have a few drinks with his teacher, and get home at 10.30pm. Fridays, he'll go out with the boys and play snooker. Afterwards, all the gang will go out drinking, so he doesn't get back until 11.30pm. He normally spends 3 nights out of 7 with me. He does like to be out and doing his own thing.
What time do you go to bed?
I'm normally in bed and asleep between 10-10.30pm. Paul's time varies depending on when he gets home and where he's spent the evening.
DISCIPLINE
Who does the child-care? What does it involve
I'm responsible for all the childcare. I look after them, entertain them, I drop off and pick them up from their hobbies, I look after them 24/7. Paul doesn't help me with the kids, but I'd like him to be more involved in family life. I'm sure the kids would too.
How do you discipline the children?
I'll usually take something away from them. I threaten to take Natalie's ponies away from her. If I'm really annoyed, and they're still on the Playstation, I'll just pull the plug out of the wall which takes them ages to re-set. If I've said I'm going to take them somewhere, and they've been really naughty then I won't take them. I'm usually quite strict on them and don't like letting them getting away with anything. Paul never really gets involved.
THE RELATIONSHIP
Who has the final say in family decisions?
Paul makes all the important decisions, I make the unimportant ones. Paul makes decisions to do with money. I'll make decisions on stuff, like which restaurant we'll eat at and where we'll go on holiday.
What tips can you give for coping with Paul?
You've got to be patient, and not lose your temper. Don't keep asking him questions such as, "where are you going?"
You've also got to get used to being on your own, or just being with the kids. Paul doesn't like the responsibility of being on his own with the kids.
He'll expect you to do everything for him, so you'll have to get used to clearing everything up after him. If the house isn't kept tidy, he'll get upset.
It's important to Paul to be liked.
How do you like to be treated?
I like people to be polite to me. If they're rude, I'll be rude back.
I take things as I find them. Whatever anyone gives me, I'll give it back.
HOUSE PHILOSOPHY
Please sum up the philosophy of this house and life within it.
This house is not a family home; Paul does his own thing and I do mine with the kids. I wish we could share things as a family which would bring us closer together and we could share things as a couple. The kids would probably feel more secure having a Dad, instead of having a Mum who also acts as Dad.
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