I was wrong to refuse to buy a dishwasher for my wife

I used to believe dishwashing was a trivial task, nothing to complain about, something anyone free at the moment could do. When my wife mentioned buying a dishwasher, I dismissed the idea: "Waste of money, unnecessary, everything must be cleaned by hand to be spotless." But in the end, I was the one who changed my mind.

It began one evening when my extended family gathered for dinner. After the meal, I sat watching the news while my wife spent half an hour washing dishes in the kitchen. I noticed her hands were red from dish soap and the high pile of dishes looked overwhelming. Watching this, I felt guilty.

The sight reminded me of my mother, who has worked tirelessly all her life. Even in her 60s, she still insists on washing dishes for the whole family during gatherings. Her back is bent, her hands tremble, yet she refuses to rest. I asked myself: why could I spend on new phones, televisions, and cars, yet hesitate to buy a machine that could ease the burden for my wife and mother?

So I quietly began researching. At first, I was overwhelmed by the many types and prices, and worried whether one would fit our small kitchen. After a few days of consideration, I chose a mid-range freestanding dishwasher with a drying function. My wife’s initial reaction was surprise and she joked: "You actually took the initiative to buy this?" My mother, however, doubted: "How can a machine clean better than us?"

After only a few uses, everyone’s perception changed. The dishes came out spotless, pots and pans gleamed, and there was no trace of grease. Most importantly, no one had to spend so much time hunched over the sink washing dishes. After meals, we simply loaded the machine, pressed a button, and were done. My wife gained more time to take care of herself, and my mother beamed: "At my age, this really makes life easier."

I also felt relieved. Thanks to the machine, I even found myself more willing to help, without thinking "this is women’s work." No more scenes of some resting while others toiled. The dishwasher turned out not only to clean dishes, but also to wash away the small frustrations that quietly built up in our family.

Many people still say: "Why waste money? Washing dishes is nothing." But now I think differently: what is money compared to the health, effort, and happiness of loved ones? A dishwasher is not just about convenience. It is about respecting the time and energy of wives and mothers who have sacrificed for the family all their lives.

For me, buying a dishwasher was a worthwhile investment in fairness at home, in the comfort of women, and in strengthening the bonds between family members.

*Readers' opinions are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress' viewpoints.