January 1987: A 16yr old lad left Karratha, WA to enlist in the Army, as an apprentice soldier tradesman.

In those first few weeks, there were many life changing and life skill lessons, from weapon handling, navigation and field craft down to how to make a bed, clean ablutions or iron a uniform.  Upon receipt of his first pay, his platoon was marched to the canteen to a display of domestic hardware.

The platoon commander shouted: ON GO, you will flash away like a pack of startled gazelles, choose and pay for an iron and ironing board, and re-appear here, formed up in three ranks……… GO !!!

Later that day, out on the parade ground, with extension leads and power boards strategically placed, the commander’s guttural voice declared: During this lesson, you will be taught to iron a set of Jungle Greens!  The reason you are taught this, is so you, as a soldier, can achieve and maintain the standard of dress required by the Army Dress Manual, and to look good while you kill the enemy!!

Naturally, the next person who laughed was threatened with 50 push-ups …

Over the next three decades, that lad became a soldier, a father, a civilian, a divorcee, a new partner, a step-father, and a new father twice more.  He has met thousands of new people across multiple industries; many of whom have also become fathers.  Most are excited, enthusiastic and seemingly hands on dads.  Those that insist on Gender Based Roles, especially in terms of Domestic Duties and Kids Chores irritate him, on grounds of relationship equality and teamwork.

*************

Yep, that lad was me, Damian Grow.  I have created a gambling App for couples to have friendly wagers between each other, without the use of cash.  The idea for the App was spawned through being in a mixed AFL relationship; I’m an Eagle, my beloved is a Docker. Western Australians will get it 🙂

When I was creating the prize pools, I wanted to ensure the winner of a Kids Chore prize got to have a solid break, while the losing partner ‘took charge’ for a bit .  Same with Domestic Duties; I’ve seen so called ‘professional men’ arrive at work looking like a hessian sack tied in the middle, and their excuse is that the wife didn’t iron their clothes.  It’s not bloody good enough fellas.

My message to men who don’t cook, clean or iron is that if they do try the Spousebet App, don’t jump straight to the adult prize pools; where the intimate and (MA) sexy stuff is.  Try the PG categories first, and if you lose, suck it up and do the chores or the activity with the kids.

It will Build a Better Relationship.  Plus, Spunky Mumma might just love you that extra little bit, just for trying 😉