Is it Okay to Want to Be a Housewife & Work Part-Time?
In the 1950’s it seemed that once a young woman was married, she was automatically considered a housewife. Married women seldomly worked outside the home, and if they did, it was in rare circumstances. By the 1970’s it was much more common and widely accepted for women to take part in the workforce. Flash forward to today, and the tables have turned.
Although many women choose not to stay out of the workforce, it is perfectly okay to decide to be a housewife. While it may seem a bit foreign to the current culture, historically, it is an appropriate role to take.
It is estimated that one in five women do not work outside the home. In this article, you will learn about being a housewife.
Being a Housewife
The role of housewife is often looked down upon and scoffed on by many. Unfortunately, many people do not truly understand the role a housewife takes. Being a housewife is not serene and vacation-like, and not everyone understands the stamina it takes to be just a housewife.
What Does a Housewife Do?
Let us start by examining just what a housewife does with her day. While it may be nice to imagine her having a quiet day at home with all the time in the world, it is nothing like this at all. When you are a dedicated housewife, your schedule is not your own. Sure, you do not need to leave home for work, but your schedule is dictated to you by the needs of your home and family.
To many, the housewife cooks, cleans, and takes care of the pets and children. While this is true, there is so much more that goes unseen. A housewife is certainly a caretaker, but she is also responsible for all the working parts of the home and her family, especially if the head of the household is working long hours. Here are some of the tasks she is responsible for completing.
Takes Care of the Children
One task a housewife has is taking care of her children. In taking care of children, it is not as simple as making sure they have clothes, food, a bath, and a reasonable bedtime each night. Taking care of children involves so much more:
- Getting ready for school
- Dropping off or picking up from school
- Packing lunches or getting lunch money ready
- Signing forms for school and sending fees
- Parent-teacher conferences
- Caring for a sick child or children
- Helping with homework
- Setting up playdates
- Encouraging friendships
- Disciplining when necessary
- Teaching morals and values
The list could go on for pages when you start to break down all the tasks a housewife has when it comes to children, but you get the idea.
Does Groceries
A housewife is responsible for ensuring the house has groceries for all meals and snacks. Stocking a home with groceries that everyone will eat is a task. Throw a food allergy or picky eater into the mix, and it becomes a full-time job.
Cleans
Cleaning is one thing a housewife will spend endless hours doing. If you have children, this job will feel like shoveling snow in the middle of a blizzard. Unless you are blessed with a family that always puts everything back in its place, you will be cleaning or asking for help from them to clean.
Does Laundry
Doing laundry is a never-ending task. Just when it seems like all the clothes and linens in the house have been washed, there will inevitably be more laundry to do. Laundry is a vicious cycle that can take hours out of the week.
Encourages
A housewife is the family cheerleader or encourager. She is the first one the children see after school and the first person her husband sees after work. No matter how stressful your day has been, you will be expected to put on a smile while beaming and proclaiming your pride over the family. If your children or husband have a rough day, you are going to be the one to pick them up or at least lend a listening ear.
The job of a housewife is anything but boring and is not regal. Many women choose the job, while many long for a chance to claim the title.
(Sources: Traditional Homemaker and Career Trend)
Final Thoughts
The job of a housewife is essential. It is an exhausting job that many women selflessly choose. If you choose to be a housewife, you must understand that you have chosen quite the noble profession. Not everyone will understand the depth of your days, but you will, and someday, your children will too.
