The Difference
Stay-at-home mom.
Yeah, it's a nice title. But I prefer homemaker.
You see, the term 'stay-at-home mom' sounds more like "I stay at home and don't do anything but play with my kid all day and use it as an excuse to not work".
This is how a great many people interpret the occupation 'homemaker' to be. I am attempting to set the record straight.
Home is derived from the Old English "ham" meaning dwelling, estate, house, village and the Proto-Indo-European base "tkei"-to lie or settle down.
This combined with with the word "maker"; to make, creates a whole meaning for our occupation's title.
One who makes a dwelling to lie or settle down.
In my words I call that:
"One who creates a haven for relaxation, comfort and communion."
What better occupation can you have for those you love most?
Our husbands and children need to be drawn toward home; a steady, comfortable place to breath, refresh and restore. A center for learning, creating and thinking.
There are MANY ways you can make a home for your family.
1. Beautify and refresh your environment.
-make your home a place that is attractive and provides scope for the imagination.
2. Learn to be joyful.
-Joy is attractive and contagious. Smiling, singing and sweet words will win over the hearts of your loved ones, and draw them towards home.
3. Encourage creativity.
-Everyone is creative in their own way. Everyone loves to make something from nothing--it is reward to oneself. Have crayons, pencils, paper, clay, yarn, whatever, available for use.
4. Love AND respect your husband.
-This provides stability for your children, and encourages them to treat others well. It also helps your marriage travel a bit more to the glorious side :).
5. Keep your environment neat and tidy.
-This is a no-brainer, but so difficult for ALL of us to accomplish. However, the rewards will well pay the effort. Everyone loves a harmonious home.
If you are struggling with this might I suggest the book Large Family Logistics. This is a great resource for a family of 3 or a family of 23. I LOVE it.
So, obviously if you've ever walked into my home, you know I'm a work in progress, and so is my home. However, I am making great strides in my making of a home.
As wives and mothers, our efforts affect how our family views the home. What we do now affects how our sons interact with their own families, how our daughters create homes of their own, and how our husband are involved with us, and our children.
All day long, a homemaker is creating an inviting space, teaching basics, creativity, and encouraging learning. She is baking and cooking, and looking to the nourishment of her family. She is learning how to better accomplish her calling. She is nurturing and training.
See, I don't just stay at home...I'm making a home.
Home is derived from the Old English "ham" meaning dwelling, estate, house, village and the Proto-Indo-European base "tkei"-to lie or settle down.
This combined with with the word "maker"; to make, creates a whole meaning for our occupation's title.
One who makes a dwelling to lie or settle down.
In my words I call that:
"One who creates a haven for relaxation, comfort and communion."
What better occupation can you have for those you love most?
Our husbands and children need to be drawn toward home; a steady, comfortable place to breath, refresh and restore. A center for learning, creating and thinking.
There are MANY ways you can make a home for your family.
1. Beautify and refresh your environment.
-make your home a place that is attractive and provides scope for the imagination.
2. Learn to be joyful.
-Joy is attractive and contagious. Smiling, singing and sweet words will win over the hearts of your loved ones, and draw them towards home.
3. Encourage creativity.
-Everyone is creative in their own way. Everyone loves to make something from nothing--it is reward to oneself. Have crayons, pencils, paper, clay, yarn, whatever, available for use.
4. Love AND respect your husband.
-This provides stability for your children, and encourages them to treat others well. It also helps your marriage travel a bit more to the glorious side :).
5. Keep your environment neat and tidy.
-This is a no-brainer, but so difficult for ALL of us to accomplish. However, the rewards will well pay the effort. Everyone loves a harmonious home.
If you are struggling with this might I suggest the book Large Family Logistics. This is a great resource for a family of 3 or a family of 23. I LOVE it.
So, obviously if you've ever walked into my home, you know I'm a work in progress, and so is my home. However, I am making great strides in my making of a home.
As wives and mothers, our efforts affect how our family views the home. What we do now affects how our sons interact with their own families, how our daughters create homes of their own, and how our husband are involved with us, and our children.
All day long, a homemaker is creating an inviting space, teaching basics, creativity, and encouraging learning. She is baking and cooking, and looking to the nourishment of her family. She is learning how to better accomplish her calling. She is nurturing and training.
See, I don't just stay at home...I'm making a home.
Kylie, this was so beautiful, and spot on! I'm neither a mom (yet) or a full-time homemaker, but I LOVE your definitions and calls to excellence! The word 'homemaker' to me is such a rich, inviting, vibrant word. It summarizes so many things.
ReplyDeleteThis season has me working part-time (around 30 hours a week, plus my photography work), but I am always looking forward to the time when I'll be a full-time homemaker. Sometimes I get a teensy bit jealous of full-time homemakers even though we don't have kids yet! Still...I should NEVER complain because my husband supports us fully with his income, and I could quit work tomorrow with no problems. My income gets to build up our savings, which we are so grateful for. And I don't have to work full-time, which many people do! So there is no room for discontent! Thanks for the great post.
fantastic. absolutely agree!
ReplyDeleteLove it! The sad part is that most of society devalues this important work. If women, and men, could only see how vital this is I think modern families would be in much better shape.
ReplyDelete