...first, everything here is going around in circles--kinda dizzy and not very well. But life goes on. I can offer this up for the people who are sick and have no one to look after them or cannot afford health services close to them.
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On the third and a very interesting question: "How the household is maintained and who manages chores?" I will dwell more on the 'chore' part. I love chores at home...and as often as I can I'd want to be a part of the activity in the home that gets the food ready or dishes done.

I think it is a very interesting thing for a man in a home to be able to help the wife with little side activities/chores....in the kitchen, laundry or the garden. Any normal woman would be delighted to have her man work alongside her.
But in many patriachal socities....men find it demeaning to do give the littlest help in the kitchen. Hmmm....talk about men complaining at the dinner table!! Thank God I've got some kitchen skills over the years by carefully watching mom cook every other day.

So the chores belong not only to the maidservant in the home and the housewife....but also you dear brothers---who love to read every letter in the daily while you wait for dinner.

...but first, I must tell you that when many young women my age or less read about my position on the number of children in a home, they are in complete shock or burst out laughing. Very well, let's see who will have the last laugh!

On the second question: Financial obligations and goals--
Huuhh...i know this is a source of many explosions in the home. But I think there should be a joint family account to which both husband and wife are signatories. It can be tough for some people (esp women...but happens to men too) to declare all their earnings. Whether you agree or not---reaching a working solution in this matter will determine whether there will be harmony in your home or not.

I think the man should be the primary bread winner in the home---but even when the woman earns more than the man (in case of working moms) the man remains Head of the family and should exercise authority over it irrespective of other circumstances. In real life, this may be quite difficult....but not impossible.
In financial transactions inthe home as well as all other family issues--always remember that "Honesty is the best policy"

Following an earlier message on an article published in The New York Times (Dec 17,2006) I'd like to share views on those important questions that people looking forward to marriage ought to ask before making the leap. (I am not an expert...these are only my views--)

1. On whether to have children and who would be the primary care giver?
I say yes to the first part of the question (and to as many children as God grants---of course with the necessary measure of prudence)....and
(2) that the primary caregiver is THE MOTHER.
That would mean that when a woman gives birth...she takes leave from all work outside the home to look after the new child...for atleast 4 years (Working women/career-driven women can't help screaming!)
Yes, I say so because these are formative years...and years for a child to bond with the mum. True, there are situations of adverse financial circumstances that require mothers to find work outside the home....but the time away from your child can never be recovered! (that's the sad part)...and yet years of lost career growth may be recovered...if one is determined and remain engaged even at home....reading and doing some productive work with their hands.

To all the nannies (even the best in the world), please hands-off my two-month old son. You can have him when he is five...and only part-time! The rest of the time will still be for me and the mother.
Ehhh....sorry..i do not have any children. But I have hope.
This is staying-home business is really difficult issue for many young women to come to terms with....but for the really wise ones, they choose to stay home (foregoing everything else) There is a price to pay,ofcourse...but the joy of seeing your fully grown children prosper in life outweighs all burdens born by the mother.