A mum says it shouldn't be seen as "exceptional" for men to pitch in with chores and household responsibilities.

Abby Eckel has an equal marriage with her "doesband", which is a term used to describe husbands who share domestic tasks.

They split errands between them – from cooking to putting their kids to bed.

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But while Abby's 37-year-old hubby does these chores without being asked, it hasn't always been this way.

The 34-year-old, from Kansas in the US, asked her partner to pull more weight after they had their second child.

So he changed his work schedule to give him more time in the home.

Abby, who owns a social media consultancy business, said: "When we had our youngest, my husband had a job with long hours.

"It started out as unequal. I took on more than is fair.

"I turned around when I went back to work and said 'hey, you need start cooking dinner. You need to start putting him to bed.' We started on like this from the get-go.

"Now we each make three meals a week – and switch who does the grocery shop.

"We switch who puts who to bed. We do our own laundry. I do the youngest's laundry with him, and he does the eldest's laundry with them.

"The communal stuff – we switch it up."

Abby, who has children aged five and seven, doesn't think husbands should be praised for doing an equal amount of chores.

She said: "I've always been told how lucky I am.

"No one's ever told me 'your husband is blessed to have you'.

"People see men doing this as exceptional… this narrative needs to be changed. Neither of us does it to be praised."

The couple put their relationship first and make sure to make time for date nights – even if it's just quality time at home together without screen time.

Abby said: "Equality in marriage is not exceptional behaviour.

"I never felt I need to make lunch for him or do his laundry. I'm not his mum.

"He's always surprised me with trips and outfits. He gets me shoes and handbags because he knows me well enough to know the things I like.

"He pays attention to things I like and interest me.

"I do all of these things too – that is what a partnership is…

"I'm not reminding him of the ways that I need to feel loved. Not reminding him of the things that should be important to him.

"These are the bare minimums of being in a committed relationship with someone.

"It should not be looked at as exceptional – for a man or woman.

"You deserve an equal partner in your relationship."

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