Laid-off dad won’t help at home

Dear Amy: I’m a 23-year-old mother of two. My husband, “Mitchell,” was laid off, so I went to work full-time.

Mitchell feels that just being home with the kids is all he needs to do.

I come home every day to a house that is a disaster.

Day care is not an option because of one child’s health needs. Please help.

Distressed

Dear Distressed: You and your husband should review responsibilities in your household and develop an organizational chart (the kids should also be given reasonable duties).

If he does the shopping, can you do some cooking? Who handles the house, lawn and car maintenance? Who handles bill paying? If you vacuum on Saturdays, can he do laundry?

If your husband is depressed, you may have to help him deal with this.

He would also benefit from connecting with other parents -- especially other stay-at-home dads. I recommend that he check the website www.athomedad.org.

You should consider postponing school (or going part time) to spend more time at home until things are more stable.

Send questions to Amy Dickinson by e-mail to askamy@tribune.com or by mail to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.