It may be a good idea to look at the family aspect today. This brings to mind a discussion I recently had with a realtor. He mentioned how some families have resorted to moving into smaller apartments as against living in their duplexes and terrace houses to ease expenses resulting from the fuel hike. It’s now easy to understand why we’ve seen such a spike in real estate costs of late.

It doesn’t just end here as many families struggle to keep up with the cost of feeding their households, which also seems to have tripled in recent times. It’s no longer the order of the day for only the head of the family to shoulder the burden of providing for the entire household OR is this really the case today?

Sadly some Eves are clueless about how to assist with the burden. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not pointing fingers at anyone. I’m just here to talk about a mindset.

“I really would like to get a job, but there are no opportunities out there”. “Starting a business is so capital intensive of late”. “He seems to have it under control”. “No o! I do not accept for our living standard to drop”. “Why can’t we use the inverter all through the night like before”? “The weather is hot and the children are all sweaty, go and switch it on”. “How much is this and what is this likely to get us at the market? Double it” “Don’t you know the number of mouths we have to feed”. “What’s wrong if they left all their lights on? They are children let them be!”.

Soon after this, there are lots of quarreling, bickering, fighting, name-calling, and malice-keeping between both adults. This is what he did and did not do. This is what she did and did not do.

Eventually, the home becomes a place of turmoil, devoid of peace, and in the bid to adjust, he starts to keep late nights out. Drinking because his problems are too insurmountable and his home is no longer a restful place like before. He has to work twice as hard because she refuses to readjust their lifestyle. The bills are piling up, the rent is almost due, the cars need to be serviced, the children’s school fees need to be paid, hospital bills accruing and the list goes on.

God bless those Eves that have chosen to be understanding and cooperative. Those Eves that have decided to chip in nonetheless. Eves, who understand that it is no longer the order of the day for him to do everything alone. Those years are long gone and although we are hopeful, that the tide will change, they don’t mind stepping in with their bit no matter how little.

You see this life is uncertain. I’ve had cause to meet one or two Eves who have had to shoulder the burden all alone because he up and left. Although the circumstances are different, the overall point is that they have no one to assist them. Sad but true.

Let’s imagine that such tantrums and nagging push him to the point that his health starts to suffer? Who will be there to pay those bills and to keep up that lifestyle? We need to own up and tell ourselves the truth. There are various approaches to attaining a certain goal. How do we keep navigating with the same old, same old?

Next week, we deal with the Adams that beat.

Bye.