After participating in “Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition,” Melissa Gorga is sharing the positive changes it sparked in her marriage to Joe Gorga. The “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star revealed that the experience gave her a new perspective on her family dynamics and led to a notable shift in her husband’s involvement at home.
The Initial Hesitation and a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
Melissa Gorga was initially very hesitant to sign up for the show. She had immediate concerns about the concept of moving into a stranger’s home.
“I was just like, ‘What, you want me to move in and sleep in another person’s house? And there’s another man and their children and, like, whatever animals they have?’” Melissa recalled. “I was like, ‘Absolutely not.’ I instantly said no.”
Her husband, Joe Gorga, however, was much more accepting of the idea. Melissa noted that it was easier for him to agree since he got to stay in their own home with their kids, while she was the one who had to leave and live in an unfamiliar place without being able to prepare or pack properly.
After thinking it over, Melissa decided this was a unique chance she shouldn’t pass up. She described it as a “once in a lifetime experience” and ultimately found it to be an “amazing” and “incredible” journey. Their three children—Antonia, Gino, and Joey—shared their mother’s initial skepticism but ended up enjoying the process.
A Glimpse into a Different Family Life
On the show, which aired on October 28, Melissa swapped lives with Michelle Clark, a mother of three from East Point, Georgia. The Clark family presented a very different lifestyle from the Gorgas. Michelle and her husband, Sean Clark, work together and are together almost 24 hours a day, adopting a more laid-back approach to household chores and organization.
For Melissa, who is very clean and orderly, this was a big adjustment. She described going to bed with dirty dishes left in the sink as her “nightmare” and said she was in “sensory overload.” The Clark family also follows a vegan diet, which was another change for Melissa.
A key difference Melissa observed was how hands-on Sean was in the home and with the children. This contrasted with the division of labor in her own household, where she primarily manages the domestic duties while Joe focuses on his work.
The Gorga Household’s Positive Changes
The experience had a lasting impact on the Gorga family. Melissa’s biggest takeaway was the importance of quality time and having deeper conversations as a family, a value she learned from the Clarks.
The most talked-about change, however, involves Joe. After seeing how much Sean contributed at home, Melissa returned and had a conversation with her husband.
“I went home, and I was like, ‘Joe, what do you do? You go to work. I’m gonna need you to do more,’” Melissa cheekily told Decider.
Her request worked. Melissa happily reported that Joe has started helping with the housework.
“I’m happy to report that he does now do the dishes at night, which is, I told him, it’s hot,” Melissa told Us Weekly. “I’m like, ‘I am turned on by this. This is amazing. This is so manly,’ like, it really is.”
While Joe has taken on dish duty, Melissa joked about his past attempts at domestic tasks, noting he once put a diaper on their dog backwards.
Forming a Lasting Friendship
The swap also led to a genuine connection between the two families. Melissa and Michelle have stayed in touch since filming wrapped. The Clark family, who have relatives in New York, plans to visit the Gorgas in New Jersey soon.
Melissa said she talks to them “all the time” and described them as an “amazing family.” She has spoken fondly of Michelle’s children, forming a special bond with them during her stay. The families intend to meet up, share a meal, and maintain their new friendship.
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