I’m happy being a homemaker
I wake up every day thankful God made me a woman and I take my role as a homemaker seriously. I have a real sense of accomplishment and contentment attached to doing the work God put me on this earth to do.
Whether you work from home, are a full-time mother or work for someone else there are ways you can approach your homemaker job with a happy heart.
I can tell you first hand it’s not always easy. I have been a homemaker in one sense of the word for over 35 years and as long as I approached my responsibilities with a joyful heart the actual day-to-day work was easy.
I would love to say that the classy dressed, apron laded; white picket fence of June Cleaver was my style, but I am more of the Granny Clampett from the Beverly Hillbillies (without the black gold of course.)
Some days I feel like I am running around like Granny did and not at all organized and calm like June Cleaver. I remember as a young mother I always felt rushed, overwhelmed and disorganized. I wish I knew then what I know now and those early years of raising children would have been easier.
I hope by sharing some of the things I’ve learned will help you approach your job as a housewife with more joy.
- Get Up and Get Busy – Get up before anyone else and take 15 minutes to be alone. Write down a shortlist of what you hope to accomplish that day. Being organized and in control of your day will ensure your day goes smoother.
- Be Realistic – Depending on the season of life you’re in don’t put unrealistic expectations on yourself. If you have toddlers, your laundry is never going to be done, and if you have teenagers, there will always be clutter. A home isn’t measured by how clean it is but by how much love is in it.
- Stop Comparing – No two homemakers are alike. We all have different skills and talents. You may not have the cleanest house, but you always have a healthy dinner on the table. Your laundry basket may always be full, but your garden is always plentiful. Embrace your God-given talents and don’t worry about the rest, there is no one-size-fits-all definition to homemaking. And by all means, take the time to look for ways to accomplish your goals even if it means you need to invest in a bread maker so you have homemade bread in the house. I often use my bread machine when I am short on time and ever feel bad about it. Warm fresh bread is still wonderful even from a bread maker.
- Forget the “Only If’s” – Stop wishing for things you think you need or things that would make your life better. Live for today and be thankful for what you have and stop living for the “only if’s!”
- Take care of yourself – It’s the little things during the day that can keep a smile on your face. Don’t underestimate the therapeutic value of hanging a load of laundry outside while the sun kisses your face or the joy of kneading bread dough with your own two hands. Even lighting a candle in the middle of the day can add a sense of calmness to a busy day.
I have been a homemaker a better part of my entire life and it can be hard at times No matter what anyone says taking care of your home and family is a big job and just like any other job it comes with everyday stress.
Here are a few more things I have learned over the years that keep me a happy homemaker.
- I organize my living and working space and purge things that just take up space.
- I am constantly looking for ways to live below our means and justify every purchase as a need and not a want.
- I surround myself with other like-minded homemakers.
- I don’t try to please everyone and try hard to stay out of other people’s drama.
- I let go of the things I cannot change and concentrate on only the things I can.
- I put in a good day’s work and don’t get down on myself when I need to take a catnap.
- I don’t compare my home, family or life to anyone else but my own.
- I treat my husband with respect and make sure he knows how much I respect his hard work. In return, he appreciates me and what I do for our family and home.
- Most of all I learn from my mistakes, often laugh at them and move on.
“I wake up every day thankful God made me a woman and I take my role as a homemaker seriously. I have a real sense of accomplishment and contentment attached to doing the work God put me on this earth to do.” Absolutely! I share your passion for the high calling of making a home. A home offers so much to the people who live in it, and that home desperately needs a caretaker. This is not a job that can be done in default mode after something “more important” is done. Thank you for encouraging me that I’m not alone in this passion…I found you @ Monday Musings!
Amen…I totally agree. Thanks for stopping by!
I love your June Cleaver/Granny Clampitt comparison – LOL. But I loved this post, the most important thing to me is to not compare yourself to others. Contentment is HUGE in feeling put together I think. Thanks for sharing your tips! (stopping by from the Good Morning Mondays Link Party)
~Taylor-Made Homestead~
Texas
Some days I feel so much like Granny to the extent of having a gun in my hands when the coyotes get too close to the chickens. And then I try real hard to be all put together like June Cleaver is before my hubby get home. I would say a good combination of the tow. Who do you favor?
Hummmm…. Not really a June Cleaver type nor a granny type (most of the time… eh hem!) I think I’m more like Laura Ingalls from Little House On The Prairie – pretty down to earth but I enjoy doing for myself.
~Taylor-Made Homestead~
Texas
I’m your neighbor at Darling Down’s, and I love your helpful hints of being a homemaker! Such wise tips that really make the difference! Don’t compare, be thankful, be happy with what you have, and enjoy every moment… I agree! Have a blessed day! 🙂
I am about to have my first baby and am staying home for the first time ever. Thanks for these suggestions, they are great!
How exciting for you! It tickles my heart that you are choosing to stay home with your child…embrace being a mother and a homemaker it is the most important job in your life!
Oh I am so glad I stumbled upon your site!! I found all kinds of goodies. I would love it if you would share at my Monday of Many Blessings Link Up!! http://ourhomeofmanyblessings.com/ New follower also!
I will be sure to do that!
All good advice!! I find the get up early one difficult because I am such a night owl. But my kids have also learned that mommy just needs a cup of coffee and a few quiet minutes before we start our day. They all are rather like me, in that they like to ease into their day too, so it works for us. The hardest one to let go of was that my house would never be fully clean to my personal standards with them all living here. HA. But, I did get there and they learned to be respectful in how they treated it too. I like to think we met in the middle.
I love that your kids know to give you some space in the morning. I had to let go of a lot of things when my kids were little and one of them was always having a clean house.
“If you have toddlers, your laundry’s is never going to be done” Ain’t that the truth!! Appreciate the wisdom you shared!
Love this Tracy! Thank you for sharing it on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! 🙂
Great post with wise words of encouragement. I recently had bilateral carpal tunnel surgery and for 2 weeks had to rely on my husband and children to do most of the housework. I felt bad my husband having to work a job and then come home to do the dishes. But as the piles of dishes mounted I also came to realise that the job I do in the house is valuable and even when I feel I’m not really making any vissable difference I am actually accomplishing something.
re: line drying clothes …. we had a wooden clothes “rack” with a simple pulley which would raise the rack up to the ceiling, when clothes were dry just lower it down to remove clothes ….. my daughter in Murphy Texas found one on-line somewhere in the U.S. and installed it in her laundry …. just the ticket she says!! Ann in Canada
As in just about all things, attitude is everything! You have a great one.
I like how you said that when you approached your responsibilities with a joyful heart, your day-to-day work was much easier- our attitude makes such a difference! Like your new photo and blog design, by the way 🙂
What a refreshing post to read. Recently, I’ve been thinking more and more about how important it is to be happy in our calling. Thank you for the encouragement to embrace and enjoy my role as homemaker.
Carlie I am so glad you liked the post…it took me many years to figure those things out so I am glad I can pass some of them on.
GREAT advice!
Wonderful advice! Thanks so much for sharing and linking up with our Merry Monday party!
Beautiful post Tracy. Such simple things to remember, but so hard to do when we get caught up in the hectic pace of life. It’s amazing what a difference a little gratitude can do – one day I feel tired and overwhelmed with all the work of caring for home and family, and other days, I remember what a blessing it is to live this life and find joy in every detail.
Great post. Sound advice. Thanks for sharing.
I was just having a conversation with my 15-year old son the other day about having a work ethic no matter what your job title is. I call myself a household manager, but also feel blessed to be doing this job each and every day to the best of my ability. Whatever we call it, we can take pride in a job well done.
I think I like #2 the best – when our daughter was born, I struggled with keeping everything (like the house and our schedule) the same as it was before, but my husband quickly pointed out to me that we were in a different stage of life and that I should just let it be and enjoy what it has to offer, instead of running myself ragged trying to keep things the same. Glad you joined us at #FridayFrivolity!
Tracy,,,Real good encouragement. Especially the rising early and not comparing. So glad to have you share at Monday’s Musings. Blessings. 🙂