Dear Abby: I cook, we eat. I clean, he watches TV. When I ask for help, he accuses me of being a nag.

DEAR ABBY: I was once a stay-at-home wife. I did all the cooking, housekeeping, etc. Due to a downturn in the industry where my husband was a highly paid executive, he returned to a health-care career using his bachelor’s degree. I returned to work in a well-paying but demanding job.

So now I cook, we eat. He sits down to watch TV, and I clean while watching TV. When I ask for help, he accuses me of being a nag. I’m growing more and more depressed over this. Advice, please. -- FEELING DOWN IN THE SOUTH

DEAR FEELING DOWN: You married an old-fashioned guy. He worked while you “kept the home fires burning.” When reality hit and you needed to rejoin the workforce, he forgot the principle of “each according to his ability, each according to his need.”

Your darling needs a cold dose of reality. Times have changed, and he’s not doing his fair share. Remind him so you can work out a more equitable agreement.

P.S. You may be more tired from doing double duty than depressed. Think about it.

***

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.