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According to these blogs, being a homemaker meant candles and cozy throws, and turning my home into a welcoming haven. It meant shopping for groceries and cooking dinner every night, and then getting said dinner on the table right when the husband came home from work. It also meant cleaning would be an everyday occurrence, and organizing a necessity.
It seemed I had a lot to live up to, but it made sense. I mean, my grandma is the ultimate example of a perfect homemaker, and she did ALL the things these newbie wives were telling me to do. Why shouldn't I trust them?
But I was young, and still in college. Joseph and I both had jobs outside the home too. I struggled with managing everything and finding enough time to devote to my studies, not to mention the extra paycheck we needed to stay afloat. It turns out I was not a very successful homemaker….at least not according to the idealistic mold I was trying to fit into!
So I stopped trying.
No, I didn't “let everything go”, or relish the clutter and messes we made {or stop picking them up!}, but I did give myself permission to not be the stereotypical 1950's homemaker. Not because I didn't think it was wrong, but because it just didn't work for my family's lifestyle and schedule.
It was time to embrace the fact that homemaking is, and will be, different for everyone, rather than waste energy to fight it. Because the longer I keep a home, the more I realize there's no wrong way to do it.
Just think about these changes in the last 50 years:
- More and more dads are staying at home to care for their children, while moms work in the corporate world.
- Chores are divided between partners and children, and all are responsible for doing laundry, dishes, and everyday cleaning.
- Rather than spend all day in the kitchen making supper, we can rely on semi-homemade products and “cheater” recipes to whip up dinners fast.
Is that wrong? I don't think so.
Before you think I'm advocating for a feminist agenda against traditional homemaking, please hear me out. Homemaking, as antiquated as that term sounds, is still a very essential component to household management, especially if you want to keep your home running as smoothly as possible.
It just doesn't have to look the same as it did 50 years ago.
A Modern Twist on Traditional Homemaking
It's time to usher in a new era of homemaking….one that is family-centered, takes on many different forms, and doesn't always have a set routine or schedule. But when tackling something like that, it's hard to know exactly where to start. One search through Pinterest and you have hundreds, if not thousands of results!
I finally sat down and compiled everything I wish I had known when I first become a new wife and home manager into an easy-to-use workbook that tackles the most important areas of every household. Through various prompts and questions, you will be taken on a journey through what homemaking looks for your family, no matter your size or schedule.
It's called The Modern Girls Guide to Homemaking: A Workbook for Women Living in the 21st Century, and will help YOU succeed in today's modern age!
Think of it as a “mentor” of sorts to help you muddle through what's absolutely essential, and what you can feel free to “fake” or leave behind. Because no one should feel like they have to do it all, at least not according to a 1950's stereotype!
I first offered this workbook as a FREE bonus to everyone who bought the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle in April, but then decided I want all of you to have a chance to use this amazing resource.
The Modern Girl's Guide to Homemaking is now available for individual purchase for the super low price of $4.99. All you have to do is head over to this page to claim your copy, and you can start creating your own personal home management system right away.
Don't let the stress and overwhelm of running a household, run your life. You have the power to make a difference in exactly how you want your home to function, and this workbook is just the beginning!
How has home management changed your life?
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Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Cinderella says
If both of you are working, than both need to be housekeeping!
Kalyn Brooke says
Pretty true. I do think there are some families where someone who works still does the primary housekeeping because, for whatever reason, that works for their family. But as a general rule, I’m a big fan of the team approach to running a home – finding each persons strengths and building on them. 🙂
Lauma says
Great, thanks for sharing this!