No One Asked Me If I Wanted to Be a Homemaker

Since my early child hood I can remember adults bending over to ask me the most exciting question; “What do you want to be when you grow up?” If I didn’t answer right away, they would normally say, “Let me guess…a teacher? A nurse? A singer?” Ironically enough, no one asked me if I wanted to be a homemaker when I grew up.

no one asked me if I wanted to be a Homemaker

But it didn’t stop there. Once I got to middle school and high school our teachers were giving us tests to help us figure out what occupations were best for our talents and interests. They would also present the estimated salaries of the jobs — occupational therapists, lawyers, computer technicians and even rabbis. Yes, one of my top professions that were recommended to me was a rabbi….go figure!

But, on that long list of occupations not once did I see the word “homemaker.”

Since being a home-maker wasn’t on the list, I never considered it. I never even thought that a woman could thrive and be successful if she didn’t work outside the home. In fact, all through my formidable years I had many well-meaning adults that tried to encourage me to seek certain professions — but no one said, “Maybe you would love to be a homemaker!”

In fact, I distinctly remember hearing two women chat about a neighbor when I was still a child. They looked disdainfully at her pristine home, and one woman remarked, “That woman. All she does is sit on her bottom all day long.” I immediately begin to think that maybe that woman was right. Maybe you were a lazy woman if all you were as a homemaker. I mean, how hard could it be to wash laundry, sweep the floors and cook throughout the day?

I sincerely hope that the popularity of homemaking will boom once again and that children, teens and adults will learn to appreciate the art of a successful, loving homemaker. I regret my high school years in the fact that I was so determined to pursue a major in voice and to dive into professional singing. In fact, all my electives and extracurricular activities revolved around that dream. I was even sneering in my home economics class and throwing out snarky comments like, “Why do I need to learn how to work this sewing machine? I will NOT be a Suzy home-maker!” Of course, all my peers would snicker in agreement. Home economics, to most of us, was a complete waste of time. We had bigger and greater goals to achieve.

However, once I learned about what a real homemaker does and how a homemaker is such a powerful part of a healthy, close-knit family, I knew that it was something I wanted to devote me life too — and I wanted to be successful at it! It brings me great joy to know that I am cooking, cleaning and keeping a happy place called home for my family to enjoy. I love trying out new recipes to keep the house smelling inviting and keep my family enjoying life. Seriously, a hot, homemade meal is a powerful thing. I have seen a plate of cookies, a tray of brownies, or a platter of freshly cut cheese and fruits turn someone’s no good, very bad, horrible day into a much brighter one. Now, that’s powerful!

homemaker inspiration

You’ve heard the awesome saying, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” Well I want to tell you, the hand that mops the floor rules the world. The hand that bakes the brownies rules the world. The hand that makes the beds rules the world. The hand that hugs the kids rules the world. The hand that decorates the home rules the world. Yes, a home-maker is a powerful, influential position that should be awed instead of ignored or disgraced.

Oh, I wish someone had asked me in my young and tender years if I wanted to be a home-maker! I wish they would have taken the time to show me that it can be an exciting, rewarding “career.” But, yet, I cannot recall one single time someone with bright inquisitive eyes asking me, “Do you want to be a home-maker when you grow up?” What would have been wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. In fact, it would have saved me years of bitter cornbread, hard biscuits and a life-time membership to Hamburger helper meals fan club. Maybe I would have spent some of my younger years preparing for the exciting role of a home-maker. But, instead I had to take a crash course immediately after I was married. You can only live on ramen and boxed brownies for so long!

As moms, may we take opportunities to encourage little girls to re-visit the art of home-making — not neglect it. Let’s encourage them to learn cooking, sewing, and cleaning skills so that they too can be an encouragement and blessing to their families. A home with a kind and tender-hearted home-maker is one of the most welcoming places on this entire earth.

Want one tip to successfully manage your home? Check it out here!