Our homes are our places of refuge, comfort in a busy world. Some of us need a place where we can recharge and rest after a day of work. Children need to be nurtured and taught, as they grow. Each home has variables that make it unique. But everyone has a desire for a familiar place to return to, where their needs are met. The job of homemaking is important, and the homemaker’s hands fulfill those needs nicely.
The Many Facets Of Homemaking!
As a homemaker, I never get bored! There are so many skills I could cultivate. If I wish to learn something new, there are always a wide variety of choices. There were times, when all my children were little, that getting the basics done was my goal.
Then, when there were less demands, I added in sewing and other creative pursuits. Gardening became a bigger focus. Bit by bit, our home has evolved into a mix of my family’s and my interests. The job of homemaking is so important because it can be tailored to the needs of our family. Everyone’s home is different, beautifully unique!
These are just a few aspects of homemaking, the duties are vast and differ from home to home.
An Important Job Of Homemaking- Cooking
Our households reap the benefits of home-cooked meals! Buying ingredients for cooking our meals is much more frugal than eating out. The cost of one serving in a restaurant is often the price of an entire family meal at home.
Also, homemakers can choose the quality of the food used in their kitchens, buying ingredients for recipes. Stewarding our bodies requires knowing the quality of the food we eat.
Many homemakers embrace the slow-food culture, these days! Fermented foods are not instant, they always require patience. Some of the favorites at my house are sauerkraut, sourdough bread, kefir, yogurt, and kombucha. There are intervals of time where one or the other of these foods is not ready right when someone may want it, therefore, it’s a reminder that good things are worth the wait!
An Important Job Of Homemaking- Passing It On
Welcoming our children to help us in the kitchen is the way we pass on to them the knowledge and ability for their futures.
This is where they can learn to prepare meals and provide essential foods to serve family and friends. They can have their hands in bread dough, contribute their efforts, and learn to be capable.
Additionally, where else can our children learn to clean up after meals? Washing of dishes and putting them where they belong is an effective teacher, they become aware that messes don’t magically disappear!
For many reasons, for our kids, homemaking is important. It teaches them the pleasure of hard work resulting in tangible things everyone can benefit from, like meals they helped cook! Permission to do “real jobs” affords them purpose and something to look forward to doing with their mom or dad.
Setting A Table
Setting a table for dinner is an important skill of homemaking. I am talking about a simply set table, not a fancy banquet! But taking a minute to place the dishes, napkins, and silverware purposely on the table changes the atmosphere of our time around the table.
This simple tradition brings home-life into focus, we are all together. Setting our table for dinner invites our loved ones to a daily ceremony where they are valued, and it makes a difference that they are there.
Coming to a set dinner table has always signaled this to my children. Busy times when I have not made the extra effort, they haven’t been as “present” and conversational. I really love our dinner conversation, so it’s important to me to make that effort myself.
Lately, I have designated setting the table as a chore for one of my children. It is important to teach our children this skill, as well.
An Important Job Of Homemaking- Cleaning And Tidying
The words clean and tidy are relative terms for all of us! As a matter of fact, the standards of clean and tidy can change based on our phase of family life, how big our family is, or how busy our week has been.
Although it can feel discouraging to tame our messes, it is important to peace of mind. Living with my home in a state of chaos makes me feel internally chaotic. I have had times of frustration where I haven’t even known where to start!
I have learned something about my own homemaking regarding cleaning in my house. There are two areas that I must tame before I can focus on other rooms, bathrooms and kitchen.
For this reason, part of my early morning routine is to give our main bathroom a wipe down. It takes about three minutes. But it helps me to know that I have already taken care of something that makes our home feel inviting.
My kitchen is the other room that can weigh on my mind, if neglected. My children and I are home most days and a lot of cooking happens on a daily basis. The kitchen can become a complete mess within minutes! A lot of discipline is required to not walk away and avoid cleaning it. There were times when I have felt overwhelmed. But now, after meals we force ourselves to clean it up, and quickly put most items where they belong. This ensures that surfaces are clear and ready for the next meal.
This really helps to maintain a sense of order, but it is a highly used space, so it is never perfect!
Sewing For The Home
A homemaking skill that is dear to me is sewing. It is useful and practical, yet I can make our home look more beautiful with this skill.
A home’s atmosphere can motivate us to be creative, productive people by “fluffing our nest” a little. It always makes me feel inspired to see pretty changes around my house. Sewing a new pillow cover is enough for me, or curtains for the living room. New, handmade fabric napkins feel special, and I think it shows love to make a humble napkin look pretty for my family. I think that is something that makes homemaking important is filling needs. And it’s great when function is also lovely and fits our style!
Making slipcovers to cover tired furniture can improve the comfort and pleasure of our surroundings as well as update furnishings without having to spend such large amounts of money.
Another frugal use for sewing is the skill of mending. It can be a great blessing to know how to fix tears and holes in clothing to lengthen their lifespan. Mending can also look beautiful and turn into a feature on an article of clothing or a household linen. I like this book that teaches the art of mending.
Most Importantly!
Homemaking is hard work and feels endless. At the end of every day I am very tired, and ready for sleep! Nevertheless, I love this job that I am doing, because it serves the wide needs of the people I love. After all, family and friends are the heart and soul of our homes.
Besides the basics of everyday life, what are some of the homemaking tasks and skills that bring you joy? What inspires you? Please tell me in the comments!
Thank you for stopping by!
Courtney
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