In this day and age, it seems like everyone is getting “outraged” at something. I have more of what I call “eye roll” moments. I hear something on tv and it gets a huge eye roll from me. One tv show I was watching likened being a housewife to being a hostage or prisoner. Like the tasks of taking care of your home and family was beneath them and any woman with any ambition and drive would choose something else.
Listen, I know being a housewife isn’t for every woman. But to flat-out think that being a housewife isn’t a job is ridiculous! A job is defined as a specific duty, role, or function. My role in the family is to take care of the house and my family. My husband obviously does this as well, but he is away from the home about 50 hours a week so most if it left to me.
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To put it in Dave Ramsey terms, I am responsible for the four walls: food, shelter, clothing, and transportation. I plan and prepare (almost) all the food. I keep the shelter and clothing clean and organized. And transport my kids and self where we need to go.
This can also include fixing things in the house and on the car. Shopping for clothing, food, and household items. Keeping an inventory of food, clothing, and personal items. It may not look like it, but there is a method to my madness. It may not look like a “job” from the outside, but trust me. A lot goes into it.
Laundry on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Library day on Monday. Meal planning on Thursday. Grocery shopping, bills, and date night on Friday. Plus the daily cooking, cleaning, and errands that need to be done.
All this work is why I venerate the housewife. And you should too! We should not look down on woman’s choice to stay home. It should be revered. We shouldn’t view a woman as a prisoner because she puts her husband and children first.
I resent the fact that people think I should work outside the home because it’s the norm. I struggle each day with my decision. Not because I feel it’s the wrong one, but because I know it’s the RIGHT one.
At a family reunion I was called amazing because I stay home with my kids. I quote “I hate to use the word amazing because it is so overused. But moms who stay home with their kids are amazing.” FYI this woman has twins. Parents of twins are AH-MAZING! But this compliment has stuck with me since then.
It made me realize that all mothers deserve to be called amazing! What you are doing day in and day out matters. It may not feel amazing or look amazing but the work you do does not go unnoticed by your husband and kids.
That’s what gets me through the tough moments. Knowing I am in the right place doing what I was meant to be doing. Knowing that in the future my kids will look back and see that I was always there for them. To hold a hand, hear a funny joke, or cuddle on the couch.
When I left my full-time job in 2010 to stay home with my kids, every single mother told me, “good for you!” Or “you won’t regret it!” And “it’s where mothers are meant to be.” All these women were moms who dedicated their young lives to their children and were now working after their kids had grown up and left the nest. Those words have stuck with me over the years. These women had been through trenches as far as motherhood goes and none of them regretted staying home with their kids. Through all the hard times and difficult stages, being a housewife was worth it.
It’s worth it because creating and shaping lives is awesome. It’s hard and some days are a struggle but as Theodore Roosevelt said, “Nothing worth having was ever achieved without effort.” The difficult parts, that’s what makes it worth it.
You will go through some tough times. You will be stressed and worried about how you will get it all done. But don’t let that dissuade you! Don’t ever think or let anyone ever tell you that being a housewife or stay-at-home mom is not worth your time or isn’t a job. It’s a job that should be built up and revered.
Jeffery Holland said “The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work. Please know that it is worth it then, now, and forever.” Over the years you will feel exhaustion, frustration, bewilderment, and most amazing love you will ever experience. Every day may not be easy but a lifetime with your children is worth it.
Thank you so much for this! 🙂
You are very welcome!!
I don’t know why so many people think working outside the home is the bee’s knees. Honestly, if you won the lottery, would you still go to work? Most likely no. But would you keep the kids? Sure you would! So… unless you have to work in order to make ends meet – which happens a lot these days, but isn’t a good thing – why would you? What is it about sitting on a desk in a cubicle in florescent light that beats having the toddler spread the onion peels on the floor in an attempt to help with dinner?
Exactly! I never understood people who miss would miss their co-workers. How interesting could they be that you want to miss out on your home life! Thanks for reading 🙂