I was watching a YouTube video last week from a channel I faithfully follow. The lady who owns the channel is a SAHM and homemaker of two young boys. I like to listen to her channel because we have some of the same values of raising a family, ideals of being a homemaker and look upon shows like "The Waltons" and "Little House On The Prairie" as models to base our own life on.
But in one video she stated how being a homemaker was exploding among the younger generations. And this got me thinking...
My youngest daughter and mom to two children, is the only person of her generation that I know of who is a stay-at-home mom or homemaker. My oldest daughter works full-time (and has one child) and my daughter-in-law, mom to three children and two step-sons, works full-time as a school teacher. Even relatives, on both my side and Mr Golden D's side of the family, all the women/moms work outside the home; even with young school-age children. Some choose to while others need to work to make the bills.
Maybe I'm hanging out with the wrong crowds; keeping in mind I have little to no friends outside my family and my husband's family, but I can remember three years ago when my graduating high school class held its 30th class reunion and we didn't attend.
I was scrolling through the announcement in a group online and seeing what some of my past classmates were saying; and there was one post where you could share your career and where you live. I read through the comments and saw many of my 360-plus ex-classmates, who I haven't seen or spoke to in the 30 years since leaving high school, and most were talking about working for the Big 3 (automotive companies), being this or that and when I came upon on girl (who I vaguely remember) stating she was a SAHMom to tow kids and never went back to work after they were grown. Some people started chiming in with some lazy people comments. They replied to her comment and asked if she ever held a real job.
It was heart breaking and disheartening for me to read the comments.
Why?
Because that could have been me (the SAHM and wife).
When my kids were younger and in school, I was a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. When they (my children) grew up and I was going through a divorce form their father, I worked three jobs at a time to make ends meet.
Two decades later, I am a homemaker.
So how does someone place a value on this career?
People have placed a value of being a stay at home mom, but what about a woman who keeps the home, makes the home and doesn't have children to tend to?
See what the Washington Post says seven years ago.
I have been on both sides of the fence; being a working mom and being a SAHM/SAHW. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I'm not advocating for either scenario, but what I am mulling over is the way some of society views homemakers.
They MAY think...
- Housewives are lazy
- Homemakers have no education
- Housewives watch soap operas all day long (Yeah... I'm aging myself here)
- Homemakers have ALL the time in the world
- Homemakers don't contribute to the success of the home
I'm sure there are more things people on the outside looking in may think or believe, but spend the DITL (Day In The Life) with one. See how much she is doing.
Opinions are my own and ones I have personally experienced. NOT all people think this way.
What Being a Homemaker Allows Me To Do & Contribute To The Household
- I am able to garden and harvest a bounty that lets me preserve the food for our home
- I am available to make our house a home- meaning it is inviting, pleasant and a sanctuary for my husband
- I can be frugal to save money by making our own items (hence contributing to the household)
- I have been able duplicate favorite restaurant meals and recipes- saving us money
- I am on the go from 4:30 AM until 8PM EVERY day including Sunday
- I have a college degree with a major in journalism and a minor in Early Childhood Development which may not assist me in the daily tasks I have, but they are there if I ever decide to go back to a full or part-time job/career
Thinking about ALL the women I know, I am only the one aside from my youngest daughter, who is a homemaker or stay-at-home mom/wife currently.
Being able to stay home is not a luxury as so many have applied this stigma to it. Being able to stay home is a beautiful thing. It allows us to be here; to be able to build a loving environment to all who live within the walls or visit.
We are all hard-working women, or men; there are house-husbands in the world too, who cherish every moment, have a diligent work ethic and are always looking for new ways to save money and provide a happy domain with a welcoming smile.
So Is Being A Homemaker A Dying "Career"?
This post was made from https://ulogs.org