A mom’s job is no laughing matter

As a tribute to mothers, Chris Erskine’s “Father Knows Less” piece [May 5] backfires badly. This is 2005. It’s no longer charming when a man chortles at his inability to take care of himself, his children or his home during his wife’s 10-day trip. His confusing the dishwasher with the clothes washer isn’t any more adorable than the mother who never worries her pretty little head about balancing her checkbook. What would happen if Erskine and his wife divorced, leaving him in charge of his children? I’d like to see Mother’s Day celebrated with a keen enough appreciation of the seriousness of domestic work that men acknowledge their need to participate in it.

Joan K. Peters

Ojai