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Audrey's household manual
Before filming starts, each wife writes a manual explaining how their house is run. Below are highlights from Audrey's manual.
HOUSEHOLD CHORES
How often do you clean your home?
I do all the household chores. I clean the house everyday. After milking the cows and getting the kids off to school I then start the house work.
The laundry is non-stop, I do six loads a day. As we work on a farm there is a lot of muddy clothes to wash.
Who does the general cleaning around the house?
I always do the cleaning. If I am really stretched, Tommy, my 14 year old, will get a night off from cleaning the barn and milking the cows to help me in the house.
Jeff does zero in the house. He may occasionally put the laundry in the dryer without me asking him. He is a bit of a pig and it drives me crazy. He has a habit of not picking up after himself and the kids copy him. I say to him if he just picked up after himself it would be one less thing for me to do.
WHO DOES THE FOLLOWING, AND HOW OFTEN?
Vacuuming?
Everyday I vacuum the whole house. Tom may help out once a week if he doesn't have to go to the barn.
Dusting?
I dust the whole house on Mondays
Straightening up?
I straighten up every day non-stop, as there are quite a few little ones. Tom will help me to keep on top of it. This includes picking up toys, clothes, dishes that have been left out, and folding up the blankets and putting them back on the sofas.
Cleaning the bathroom?
I clean the bathroom everyday, and I usually spend about 10-15 minutes doing it. It involves picking up towels, wiping the toilet (the boys are pigs and leave the seat up always!!), counter and the mirror.
Cleaning the kitchen?
I clean the kitchen everyday. This involves sweeping up, mopping the floor, and washing the counters. I seem to be cleaning all the time.
Cleaning the car?
I love washing the car, but there never seems to be any time to do this. I would say that our three cars get washed about six times per year.
COOKING / MEALS
How often do you sit down and eat together?
We always eat dinner in the kitchen around the table as a family. Breakfast, brunch and lunch can be eaten anywhere in the house.
Who prepares meals?
Jeff makes the pot of coffee in the morning, but I make all the meals. Tom and Rick will make the little ones cereal if needed.
Does Jeff help with dinner?
Jeff never helps out in the kitchen.
DAILY ROUTINE
What time do you get up?
I get up at 4:30am every morning and leave the house at 4.45. But on Sunday we may sleep-in until 5:00am and leave the house at 5:15am.
How much time do you need to get ready in the morning?
To get all the children ready for school I allow 45 minutes in the mornings. We usually have a mini-meeting with everyone to work out the schedules for the evening milking and chores.
What time do you go to bed?
I am normally in bed by 10pm
DISCIPLINE
Who does the childcare? What does it involve
In terms of the kids I am the primary care-giver. For the younger ones care involves, feeding, changing diapers, bathing, dressing and looking after them through out the day. The older ones help look after each other and also the younger ones. I try to teach them to be independent and responsible. If I died I know that they would be able to look after themselves; they are survivors. If they are hungry between meals they know where the fridge is.
How do you discipline the children?
Jeff's idea of discipline is yelling at the older kids "Don't Do That AGAIN!!"
We did try grounding, but it back fired. We asked them to go work in the barn but they turned around and said that they couldn't since they were grounded. Usually though, when they have done something wrong they tend to work harder in the barn without complaint.
I can't say that we have had any major or serious problems with the kids. Sometimes they might think that the work they do is a punishment but everyone has chores and responsibilities in life.
THE RELATIONSHIP
What tips can you give for coping with Jeff?
Jeff is a pig. He never picks up after himself. So you have to get used to living with a messy person.
He also comes home and demands food or drink after working on the farm.
When Jeff is happy everyone is happy.
HOUSE PHILOSOPHY
Please sum up the philosophy of this house and life within it.
We strongly believe in the work ethic and try to instill this in our children. They have chores in the barn, which teaches them responsibility. They are also taught to help and support each other, which teaches them family values. They learn to talk with us about anything that's bothering them, which keeps communication open and makes problem solving easier.
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