"Enough is enough" - A mother of five, rising at 4:30 am daily to kickstart her chores, finally rebels and leaves her family behind.
In an act of protest, Laura Ben Salem, who dedicates her early mornings and late nights to caring for her husband, five children, parents, and even two dogs, has decided to call it quits.
Laura, 37, from Greenwich, South East London, disclosed that she doesn't retire before 10:30 pm every day, tirelessly tending to everyone's needs.
"I try to please everybody; I can't use that word NO," she laments.
Recently featured on Channel 5's new reality show, "Wife on Strike," Laura's family was one of three showcased where the daily responsibilities predominantly rested on one person, typically the woman.
In the premiere episode, Laura is seen shuttling her kids to school, chauffeuring her husband Wassim to and from work, and managing household duties on her own.
Upon Wassim's return, instead of contributing to the family's needs, he prefers to rest, leaving Laura with an increasing burden.
"He's always holding up," she expresses. "As soon as he gets home from work, he'll go straight upstairs."
Wassim is then portrayed snoring on the bed, indifferent to the tasks at hand.
"He doesn't do much," Laura continues, listing his lack of involvement in household chores.
In his defense, Wassim, from a traditional Tunisian family, claims it's what he's accustomed to.
"I've been brought up in a family where the mother looks after the children, the husband, and the house. I work hard in the city. When I come back, I want to rest a little bit," he explains.
Laura, who often prepares three different dishes for dinner to cater to everyone's tastes, voices her frustration.
"Enough's enough," she declares. "I'm not going to keep tidying up after them. It's not just physically draining; it's mentally exhausting."
"I've really had enough. I'm sick and tired of all the work that I keep doing. Putting others first... I need to see some changes before I can return."
Laura leaves home for a week, putting Wassim in charge of everything.
Planning to manage the household during his wife's absence, Wassim declares, "It's gonna be Wassim's sweet dictatorship. One dinner for everyone, and if they don't like it, tough."
However, instead of cooking, he opts for a takeout meal for the family.
The episode featuring the Ben Salems is available on My5, with Episode 2 of Wife on Strike set to air on Channel 5 on Monday, November 13.
Viewers who watched the trailer expressed outrage.
One viewer commented, "What's wrong with people using their feet and walking? If they can eat, they can help prepare and clear away. This isn't marriage; it's slavery without respect or appreciation. Wonder whether this will give them another perspective?"
Another remarked, "Her children are grown; they should be able to help tackle some of the chores. Her mom and dad don't look like invalids; they should be able to help with the cleaning and cooking."
A third quipped, "This is the UK in the 21st century. Seriously? Wake up and find your voice. It's totally unacceptable to live like this."
You must be logged in to post a comment.