Homemaking is a "Real" Job
We need to change society's view
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JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
We as a society, meaning the majority of us, seem to view homemaking as something that anyone could do therefore it isn't a real job. If you are a homemaker and your spouse/partner isn't doing "their part" you must be subservient. And there seems to be no consideration of how well you do your job or how many tasks are included in your job. Sure, anyone could do almost any given part, but few could do all that a homemaker does.
Then there are those that seem conflicted in their view. They state how hard homemaking is but still don't treat it like a "real" job. I will give an example: (Keep in mind, I think these people mean well, they just aren't thinking it through.) Someone suggests to the homemaker "You deserve to have a vacation. Let your spouse take over for a couple of days". Does the homemaker ever take over the spouse's job so they can have a vacation? Don't think so. Now you might argue, the spouse gets vacation days through work. My rebuttal to that is, the spouse's job doesn't get taken over during that vacation. All that work is waiting to be caught up when he/she returns.
People often say they know what a demanding job homemaking is. Some even go as far to say that they couldn't do it. That they have a job outside the home as an escape. When you are a homemaker you never have a punch out time. You do however have a lot more control over how you use your time to accomplish your tasks. You might be able to stay in your PJs until noon but then you also have to be the one to doctor your family all night when they are sick and have the responsibility that everyone is getting to their appointments, eating well, are clothed, etc. Saturday and Sunday are just like any other work day (except you usually get to sleep a little later).
There are advantages and disadvantages to every job. I personally am very proud of my job as a homemaker. My husband and I decided that would be a priority for our family at least for as long as we have children at home. We have a wonderful home and a healthy, stable family. We don't have that just because my husband makes a lot of money. We are partners in life. He can do what he does because I do what I do and vice versa. I am an equal partner. My husband doesn't cook or do laundry and I don't run the business. I actually prefer him not doing stuff around the house because I am a bit of a control freak
He helps out when I can't due to illness. That is all I would ever ask.
So the next time you ask someone "So what do you do?" and they say "I stay at home." Don't just say "Oh, that's nice." Try saying "So how are things going?" or "How are you liking it?" since that is usually how the conversation goes with those who have "real" jobs.
Then there are those that seem conflicted in their view. They state how hard homemaking is but still don't treat it like a "real" job. I will give an example: (Keep in mind, I think these people mean well, they just aren't thinking it through.) Someone suggests to the homemaker "You deserve to have a vacation. Let your spouse take over for a couple of days". Does the homemaker ever take over the spouse's job so they can have a vacation? Don't think so. Now you might argue, the spouse gets vacation days through work. My rebuttal to that is, the spouse's job doesn't get taken over during that vacation. All that work is waiting to be caught up when he/she returns.
People often say they know what a demanding job homemaking is. Some even go as far to say that they couldn't do it. That they have a job outside the home as an escape. When you are a homemaker you never have a punch out time. You do however have a lot more control over how you use your time to accomplish your tasks. You might be able to stay in your PJs until noon but then you also have to be the one to doctor your family all night when they are sick and have the responsibility that everyone is getting to their appointments, eating well, are clothed, etc. Saturday and Sunday are just like any other work day (except you usually get to sleep a little later).
There are advantages and disadvantages to every job. I personally am very proud of my job as a homemaker. My husband and I decided that would be a priority for our family at least for as long as we have children at home. We have a wonderful home and a healthy, stable family. We don't have that just because my husband makes a lot of money. We are partners in life. He can do what he does because I do what I do and vice versa. I am an equal partner. My husband doesn't cook or do laundry and I don't run the business. I actually prefer him not doing stuff around the house because I am a bit of a control freak
He helps out when I can't due to illness. That is all I would ever ask. So the next time you ask someone "So what do you do?" and they say "I stay at home." Don't just say "Oh, that's nice." Try saying "So how are things going?" or "How are you liking it?" since that is usually how the conversation goes with those who have "real" jobs.
I know for a fact that it makes a big difference for the kids to know that I will be there for them and that my husband gets to come home to a warm meal and cozy home. None of them are stressed out. We all talk and spend a lot of time together. We don't have to spend the weekends catching up on laundry and house work. None of our family's income goes to childcare or housekeepers. I can feed my family what they should be eating instead of just what I can get together in whatever little time I have. We take care of ourselves and have energy to then be there for others also. I guage my family's success in how happy we all are not in how much money we have. On that note, I know that homemaking does not give all people happiness. Just as I am not cut out for the cut throat business world, a lot of people aren't cut out for the stay-at-home world. Everyone has a different path. All paths are important though.