Hey, Sorcha, couldn't you just ask them to help out in some way instead of expecting them to understand your aggravation? You know, say to the one with a job that it'd be helpful if they brought along some soap next time? Or just tell the ones without the jobs that you could use their help around the house? It's probably more complicated than that, I know; but I've found that overstating the obvious is usually only obvious to the one doing the overstating! By the way, I've got about six loads of laundry on the floor right now. Can I come to your house if I bring my own soap AND mow the lawn? (Anything to avoid the laundromat!) Margaret