There is SO much to do as a homemaker. Its scope reaches in so many different directions and covers so many areas of life, that really, it would seem that it would be impossible to be bored. When a woman says that, I think what she really means is, "I don't like any of the work that there is to do".
So, I am here to help out! Aren't you glad? Let's explore the many different areas that are a homemaker's responsibility, and how she can practically accomplish these things. By the time I am done, I know you will be convinced that there is absolutely no way you could ever be "bored"! Ready? Let's tackle this!
Now, I am going to assume that you are not a homeschooler, and you are not a homesteader. I am assuming this because if you are either one of those, then you definitely wouldn't have any boredom going on. (Some of us are homeschooling homesteaders, who also have a toddler or a baby (or both!), so we are super duper duper busy, and free time is something that we've heard exists in some other people's lives...or perhaps we remember it from long ago when we were younger!) I WILL assume that you have children, and you have a husband. So, with that scenario in place, here comes the list:
*First and foremost, you are your husband's helper. What does your particular husband want help with? Does he need some paperwork done? Does he want a home-packed lunch? Does he like you to bring him his coffee in the morning? Does he need you to make some phone calls during the day? Could you run his errands for him? Ask him!
*Next, the children...OH the children--they're a full time job in themselves. If they are not school age (remember, I'm assuming you don't homeschool, for the sake of example), then they are home and likely keeping you on your toes. You're reading stories, breaking up fights, getting the toddler's hand out of the cookie jar for the umpteenth time, coloring with little Jimmy because he doesn't like coloring alone, cleaning up all of the crayons that Jimmy broke, etc. If they are all in school, well don't despair, there is still plenty for you to do (oh and by the way, I used to have kids in school, so I do know what I'm talking about here). Besides the fact that there is volunteering in the classrom, being a room mom, helping with homework, etc, etc..there is still plenty to do at home on top of that. Just keep reading...
*Nutrition/food/meals--BIG one here. Big, big one. Absolutely, positively way up on the list of importance. What you eat, and what your family eats, affects what happens in your house. What you eat can have a positive effect on your body, or it can have a negative effect. So you choose. If you make nutrition as important as you should, then food is going to take up a lot of your day. Making breakfast, packing lunch(es), making lunch for those at home, making dinner, and making other homemade goods such as bread, muffins, yogurt, etc. And occasionally for fun, I'm sure your kids would appreciate if you whipped up some chocolate chips cookies or something for them. There is also the grocery shopping to be done, which may involve hitting many different stores to get the best deals on different items.
*Cleaning--let's face it, there's always cleaning to do, as well as laundry. So between the laundry, the dishes, vacuuming, kitchen, bathrooms, mopping, dusting...What did you say? You get my point? Alright I'll stop there. I'm sure you know what is involved in cleaning a house.
*Finances--What this entails for you will depend on your specific situation. In my marriage, my husband has always paid the bills; he just prefers to. Your husband may be glad to have you do it (see point number one). But whether you pay the bills or not, finances involve much more than just that. It also include being frugal, and finding ways that you can save your family money. Here are some examples:
- Check ads and coupon
- Plant and maintain a garden. Just do it, if you are able to where you live. This will save your family a lot of money on groceries! Think you don't have the space? Check out books from the library on gardening in small spaces; you may be amazed at what you can do in a small area.
- Can! This covers the financial department AND the food department. You will be saving money and keeping the food nutritious.
- Learn to sew, crochet, and/or knit. You can make many of your own things that way, thus saving your family money.
- Make your own laundry soap. This is super easy. There are many recipes available online.
- Develop a home-based business. Find something you enjoy making, and sell it!
*Let's not forget the most important item on the list: your spiritual life! Spend time with Jesus. Read your Bible and pray. Like I mentioned above, you could join a Bible study. Your family needs you to be spiritually filled...if you aren't then all of the above activities just aren't as important. You need Jesus, and your family needs you to be filled with Him.
*How's this for an idea...you could BLOG! Ha ha ha...just thought of that one, but really it's true. I consider mine a ministry, so it's like my "ministry time" I guess...
Okay, if you could read all of that above information, and still feel that you will be bored at home, I don't know what to tell you, but I think I've made my point: if you are doing the job correctly, there is no time to be bored.
Case closed.
Linked up at:
Wise Woman Link-Up
Raising Homemakers Homemaking Link-Up
Loved this post, but I do have to say I get bored...I have a husband, I have a 16 year old that is unschooled and I homestead complete with 16 raised garden beds, 3 cows, 4 goats, 11 rabbits, 100+ chickens, 8 ducks, 1 pig and 12 dogs..LOL...My home stays nice, neat and tidy, all my chores are done and since we are 'natural learners' we do not focus on curriculum...now there are times, granted few and far between that I get bored...when everything is done sometimes there is just nothing to do...When you have small children it is very different than when your children are grown or almost grown and can take care of their needs like feeding themselves, entertaining themselves, keeping their own messes cleaned up etc...I am the queen of frugal and make most everything from scratch, including my laundry soap and I am now venturing into sewing our own clothing...finances here are handled by both farm man and myself, we are a team...so anyway...there is also only 3 of us, so laundry is not as much as a larger family...blogging, well you can only say so much...lol..I do get bored sometimes but not because I am slacking in my duties as a wife, homemaker or mom...Life is just different when children are older and you have a good solid routine to your day...I pray daily, read my bible daily, and I am involved in church activities where I feel led to be active..but boredom does set in from time to time...when all is done, there is nothing else to do...at least in my humble opinion...hope that makes sense :0)
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