I’m Shingo. My wife Marie and I have two sons, making us a family of four. Marie quit her job when we got married and handles all the chores and parenting. When our oldest son was born, I was actively involved in helping out. But as work got busier, I slowly turned into the kind of husband who only helps when asked. To be honest, I find housework to be a hassle. Unlike work, there are no visible results or appreciation for it. That’s why I’ve ended up leaving everything to my wife.
Then one day, my wife caught a bug and had to isolate in our bedroom. Suddenly, I had to handle all the housework and parenting on my own.
As I stepped up to take over, my oldest son looked at me with deep anxiety. “Dad… can you really do this?” he asked… His face perfectly reflected who I had been—a husband and father who never really stepped up.