Its Lockdown Day 23 – 10 am. I was in my usual self waking up with tea and breakfast served in bed by Mom, while my sister was busy doing sweeping and cleaning, and Dad was busy reading newspaper.
“Give me all your dirty clothes, I will do laundry today. And after breakfast go sleep in other room while I clean this one and make your bed. Its so messed up !” Mom said while pouring tea in my cup.
I opened my Instagram and was browsing Stories while eating my breakfast when I stumbled upon my Friend’s TikTok video where He is cleaning the house with a mop and sad music is being played in Background. “Tch Tch. Poor boy!” I giggled.
I showed it to my Mom who was sitting next to me, expecting her to laugh along. She looked and didn’t laughed. Instead there was a disappointment on her face. “Finish your breakfast and give me your dirty clothes” she said and left.
The last few weeks’ news flashed over my mind instantly –
I realized immediately.
I realized I should be giving her a helping hand rather than being a couch potato all day. I realized she is missing her favorite TV serials as she is mostly occupied in kitchen.
I realized she was getting constant back ache because of house hold chores and it wasn’t good for her health.
I examined my room. Clothes lied over my chair which was meant to sit on, clothes were on my bed to be lied on, a huge pile of clothes were on my hanger behind the door, and obviously clothes were in my wardrobe but in a condition better not explained !
It usually seemed normal to me, but today it was different. I knew what I had to do !
I firstly accumulated clothes from everywhere, then separated clothes that needs a wash, clothes that need an iron, clothes I no longer wear and can be donated, and the clothes that just needs a proper fold.
The pile of clothes meant for washing were separated out in the next minute.
Dad took the responsibility of the pile of clothes meant for ironing.
The pile of clothes meant to be donated were put in a bag with other clothes and the NGO guy was called to pick them up.
The pile of clothes meant to be folded were kept separately to be properly plated and neatly kept.
And Guess what, I also found my favorite ‘Super Man’ T Shirt that I was searching for since last week.
Ok, now I quickly Googled ‘How to wash clothes in Washing Machine?” – Yes I did that ! I realized I need help.
While I was finding the way to use Washing Machine, I came across this beautiful and eye-opening advertisement of Ariel :
As the advertisement ended, I had goosebumps. I suddenly felt more responsible. I knew it was the right time to #ShareTheLaundry.
So, Instead of searching on Web, I went over and whispered to my father “Do you know how to use washing machine?” Dad looked at me in surprise and understood what was going on in my mind, and synced immediately ! “Yes, come lets do it” he said closing the newspaper and kept it in the appropriate newspaper holder.
Dad knew exactly where the packet of Ariel was kept. And he knew exactly the steps to be followed on the washing machine. While he secretly brought the Ariel packet, I secretly brought all my dirty clothes. While I was watching Dad do the steps on washing machine very carefully, I realized both my Mom and sister were also watching us with awe and surprise !
And they couldn’t hold it for long and burst out laughing. And at the very next moment we all 4 were laughing.
1, 2 – socks out of shoe
3, 4 – shirts and more
5, 6 – trousers need a fix
7, 8 – undies cant wait
9, 10 – Every Man Can !
Well well, the above was the jingle we danced upon while our clothes were doing Zumba, salsa and much more in the washing machine. And to their company was Ariel Matic ! Ah cannot be a better jodi I say !!
I made Mom sit in front of TV, put on the Kapil Sharma Show and let her have her time. I then folded my blankets, corrected my bed, arranged the shoe rack. While I did all this, the Washing machine did its job and beeped. We opened the lid and a lovely aroma filled the house. Ariel not only washes the clothes perfectly but also gives a nice flowery smell to the clothes that gives you a happy feeling!
I picked a couple of my shirts to find them clean, shining and fresh like flowers. Oh yes, my another role was to dry these clothes on the hangar which I quickly did while Dad prepared Masala Tea for the family.
So in an hour, our clothes were washed and dried, my room was clean, we had Dad’s special tea, while Mom and Didi watched TV and relaxed. That’s what happens when the load is equally shared among family members ~ you have more time with them ! And that’s how Ariel does it. Its an incredible idea, I say !
I then brought the dried clothes back, and within minutes did all the folding.
I then made a WhatsApp Video call to my Aunt who speaks a lot, which made Mom occupied. I entered the kitchen and examined the area. Firstly, I quickly opened the tap and made sure all the utensils are rinsed properly. I used vinegar to clean off the glass utensils and made sure to handle them very carefully. I also cleaned up the kitchen platform and arranged already clean dishes properly in the racks. I kept all the stuff at their right places. I then washed utensils and in 15 minutes all the utensils were cleaned, washed and rinsed & the sink was empty. Look how easy it is :
And I also sprayed a little air freshener to give our kitchen a different mood when Mom enters.
Me & Dad later also helped Mom during cooking by supplying her the required items from fridge, chopping vegetables and counting the number of whistles pressure cooker is making to turn it off at the right time. Well, any help is help !
So, like this, our Sunday was converted to SON-Day ! And I pledged to continue this everyday, to help my Mom do the daily work. I pledged that I will #ShareTheLoad and help in household chores in association with Ariel India and BlogAdda, because it is rightly said – #ShareChoresMultiplyLove !
Afterall, I am equally responsible too !
During the whole lockdown, I am making sure I am helping Mom in smallest of the things – right from getting grocery, to doing laundry. Dad is also helping her in best possible ways. This is giving her enough time to pursue her old hobby of Craftwork, & Knitting and she happily made masks, aprons, hand gloves, paper holders, table mats and more !
During this whole time, we also made sure we are washing our hands regularly, ensuring social distancing, only went out if extremely necessary and used masks and sanitizers.
Hope all the families are following this suit. Household chores are not just women’s territory and this pandemic has shown us that we must co-work to co-exist. We must Share The Load !
Ariel’s this idea of load sharing is quite nice and apt in this rushed world. So, the message is loud & clear, #ShareTheLoad, and here is how we said it –
Did you joined your Mom and #ShareTheLoad today?