My stepmother was excellent at everything she did and a bit impatient with me. So, I would think I was horrible at something (especially peeling potatoes :-) when my T and I finally figured out it was just that I had no real experience and practice! The more you do a chore the better you get at it and the easier it is. I hated peeling potatoes as an adult so my poor husband rarely got mashed potatoes which we both like. But I keep at it (and peeling apples for apple pie) and now it's not so hard, uncomfortable, etc.

The biggest problem is "wanting" to do any chores since they're usually not fun or glamorous, etc. I had a hard time too, my T said, because my stepmother would show me once how to do something and then I was expected to do it from then on by myself. So, at 5 I was making my bed every day. Chores are much more enjoyable if you're working/talking with another and my stepmother and I missed out on getting to know one another in that way; my brothers and I had our "night" to do the dishes and we were alone, with the family's dishes (6-7+ people). The one person wash the other dry is nice. I wish my stepmother and I had done things together; I think if I could "go back" that's a change I would try to make in our relationship -- I'd help more and ask for her help/companionship, etc. I think that's probably an important way we get to know others and help others and learn our worth, etc. is in the give and take together.

Funny story, EJ711; my stepmother was like you and never had to do,didn't learn chores. She got married in the mid-1930s, and used to tell stories of having to learn all that; she tried to heat water in a pewter cup :-) The first time she did laundry (no washing machine) she put the clothes in the washtub, put in soap flakes and just left there there for days! (they mildewed -- she didn't realize she had to rub/scrub them, rince, ring them out, etc.) and she and her husband went to another couple's house for dinner and she was amazed and asked the woman how she managed to cook everything so it came out/was done all at the same time. I was just raised in her household, picked things up, was given chores to do, etc. so I picked up stuff automatically so you don't realize how much you learn/how "complicated" it can seem for someone who has never done it! I think some women don't realize that some men aren't raised learning those things and they think they're just "lazy" or stupid when in fact they just don't know how. But I don't think anyone "enjoys" some chores and wants to do them so I try not to feel put upon if I'm doing "more" and try to include/ask for my husband's help if I want/need it.