Homemaker:

Homemaker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"A homemaker is a person whose prime occupation is to care for their family and/or home; the term is originally an Americanism, and while it has entered mainstream English, it is not in common usage outside the U.S. Finding a term to describe the modern man or woman who has left the paid workforce to care for their family is problematic. The term homemaker is used in preference to either housewife or househusband because it is inclusive, defines the role in terms of activities, rather than relation to another, and is independent of marital status. The terms (informal) stay-at-home mom and stay-at-home dad are also used, particularly if the person views their central role as caring for children. The euphemistic term "domestic engineer" has gone out of favor, being seen by some as satirical, as if to give a sense of mock dignity to a role held in low esteem by the speaker or writer. Likewise, the term "housekeeper" has come to describe hired cleaning help, and is no longer used -- other than in a derogatory way -- to describe homemaking. None of these terms adequately convey the diversity of activities an individual homemaker might choose to pursue, such as volunteer work, small-scale farming, education, religious ministry, political involvement, homeschooling, etc.

Traditionally the role of "homemaker" has been filled predominantly by women. It is still the case today that in many societies and groups, men and women alike view homemaking as the natural and most fulfilling

role for women. In recent years there has even been some political and societal backlash against "feminist" attacks on traditional roles for women; yet many who leave the workplace to become homemakers continue to respect other women's decision to pursue a career. This backlash may be attributed, at least in part, to both the increasing prominence of "professional" homemakers such as Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray, and a rise in religious conservatism which embraces traditional roles as being conducive to family stability and personal happiness. Homemaking is not always a lifetime commitment: many homemakers, for economic or personal reasons, return to the workplace."

Interesting. What an amazing role to fill. Yesterday was a day when I felt like a failure in my chosen profession, my house was a mess, I haven't been able to keep up, and was a little depressed about it all. Today is a new day, and feel like I have done a great job. The key for me is getting up with my husband and having about an hour, before the kids wake up, for my self. If I don't do this, I feel like my day is off. I LOVE sleep, and my bed, so this is a challenging task for me. I hate the sound of an alarm clock, and I hope to never use one, my darling husband wakes me up!! Another thing I've got to realize when I can't do it all today, is that it will be there tomorrow to do. Some thing are more pressing than others, but it will get done when it gets done. I love my husband, he understands completely that it's a hard task, and he doesn't expect me to 'do it all'.

I want to make things a bit easier with the day to day tasks so I've started to do something I've been wanting to do for like ever....well, since I heard about it, maybe 4 or 5 yrs ago. It's called Meal-Planning. Yes, what a novel idea!! Seriously, it's going to make things alot easier. I sat down last night and planned meals till next week Wednesday. I need to do this once a week, plan the meals and make sure we have what we need for those meals. I hope that now I've started it will make things alot easier. And that I can keep up with it from week to week.

I have also enlisted the children's help, which I've been doing for years, but making charts, and chores to do regularly, instead of every second day.

You stay at home moms, or should I call you Domestic Engineers, what do you do to make things easier? How do you make your house run smoothly? How do you keep yourself from becoming a lazy bones? That's my hardest challenge, my butt like to sit...lol Once I start cleaning, I enjoy it, it's just the starting part...

Please post what works for you!!! Have a great week!! We have nothing on this week, enjoying our nights together!