Domesticating myself has not been an easy or all the time enjoyable task. When Eddie and I first got married there was no switch that turned on and put me on auto pilot towards building and maintaining the home life that I had always envisioned for us. Through many burnt dinners, re-arranging of furniture, yard work, and reorganization of closets and cabinets I finally feel like I have worked my way up to homemaker status level 1. The reason I say that I am on level 1 is because I know that I have a long way to go still, and many lessons still to be learned. It is interesting to see that the art of being a homemaker has undergone much scrutiny and changes in the last 30 years. Many women that choose to go back/have to work instead of staying at home, or are able to stay home but aren't Martha Stewart or Betty Cooker wannabes are scrutinized and it become a loose loose situation. Of course this also goes hand in to hand with society changes, women working full-time, and even making more money then the men that the art of being a homemaker has gotten somewhat lost in translation. However, no matter what your situation may be I still feel that it is the woman's place to provide a home for her husband and family.It is not a matter of being a "Super Woman" and doing it all but women need to take more credit for how we are designed.
I'll share the story that my Mom shared with me I call it the "Compartment Story". Here is how it goes: When a man goes to do a task or take care of something he opens the compartment drawer to that specific item and works through it, then before moving on to the next task he must close the that compartment. This is a sufficient way to do things nothing wrong with finishing a task before you start another. However, with women we often have anywhere from 3,4,5, even 10 compartments drawers open at any given time. We can juggle laundry, work, groceries shopping, meetings, bills, etc, etc.....This visualization shed so much light on my own life. This is not to say that men are incapable of multi-tasking but to show that we are just wired differently. The reason why I share this story is because it depicts much of my daily life. This is no slight to my wonderful hubby but I have often wondered if my expectation overboard or what!? Here I am done working an 8 hour shift, stopped by the store on the way home, got two pots on the stove, something in the oven, while cleaning as I go; and there he is opening one compartment at a time! To be completely honest is was rather frustrating until my Mom shared this story. Its not that Eddie can't do what I do he just does it at his own manly pace.
The art of being a homemaker is not about "knowing your place", making meals, or waiting on your family and and foot it is about; it about the home-life and quality of life that is made. I also want to convey that being a homemaker is not everyones cup of tea or lifestyle personally it is just that I am not willing to let go my childhood dream of being an excellent homemaker for my family. Even in my current situation I am working full time, and going to school growing up I have been able to draw some wonderful homemaking tips from my Grandma, Mom, Aunts, and others. And I want to continue to strive to make a home from my family the "old school" way and someday pass a legacy on to my girls. Being a homemaker is not only about making meals and waiting on your family and and foot it is about; it about the home-life and quality of life that is made. Recently, my wonderful co-worker opened her home to me to give me a lesson on pie making. I had such a great time, making something from scratch (with her instruction). It takes more than walls and a roof to create a home, and there is no shame in wanting to provide your family with the comforts of homemade happiness in the 21st century.
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