Shared in Our Walk as Women
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One cannot deny a great responsibility of the godly wife and mother: homemaking. It's always there calling to us women, drawing us up out of comfortable chairs and urging us onward! Unfortunately, quite a few of us are "first generation" homemakers, and we're not sure where to begin. Sometimes there's a feeling of being overwhelmed. Other times, we let our desire for neatness take control and our home is no longer a sanctuary. A place of rest. We need to find a happy balance. While we do not wish to have a sty to live in... we also don't want things so perfect that it makes one uncomfortable, and afraid to sit down for fear of "messing things". Your family should never feel that they matter less to you than a tidy home.
CLEANING It is important to realize that you're only one person. Even if you live in small quarters, there is a lot to tend. Ideally, your children will be helping you as you move through the day's work. Tiny children can help by picking up their toys, and moving alongside you "helping" you with your tasks. This will prevent them from messing an area you've recently cleaned, will keep them out of mischief, will teach them the importance (and fun!) of work, and will cause them to feel included and loved. Even a baby can be kept nearby so you can see them, talk to them and enjoy them! Older children should constantly be trained in tasks as they become capable. They are part of the family, and it is wise to have them function as a unit, not as a separate entity. They helped to dirty those towels, and those dishes. And someday, they will have a family of their own (Lord willing) to care for, as well. Help them be prepared! Working together with the family as a whole teaches them servanthood and selflessness, too. By now, you should have a daily schedule or routine to stick to. You should also have other tasks on a "weekly" schedule, rotating as the days change. Perhaps on Mondays (like me) you do sheets, for example. Sometimes things happen that cause us to fall behind in our cleaning. Perhaps the children become sick, or we do. Maybe there has recently been a birth. During these times, focus on the "first seen" rooms of your house and the "necessaries" (dishes, laundry, etc...) and let the rest slide temporarily. For instance, what is seen when someone first walks into your house through the front door? In our house, it is the living room, entry room, dining room and kitchen. Usually, the door to the lower bathroom is open, too, and is visible. These are the areas I focus on first, each day, when I get up. And when I'm otherwise unable to do my normal cleaning, they're the areas that get the focus. The upper floor feels a little more neglect. But I console myself with the idea it's temporary! I want my family and visitors to feel comfortable in the main areas of the house. And during a temporary "emergency", I have to accept that things aren't "as usual". I do have limitations. You will find, when things are in order, that cleaning takes relatively little time. Get into the habit of picking up right away each morning, and again in the afternoon. Don't go to bed with a messy house waiting for attention, either. Pick up before you lie down. It is a much more pleasant experience to wake in the morning to a neat environment! The most important thing about cleaning is that you are regular about it. Don't allow yourself to get lazy. Tasks will only accumulate, leaving you weary and less likely to start again!
LAUNDRY Laundry is it's own animal! At least it is for me! We have a relatively large family with seven children and another on the way. There is always some sort of laundry to do whether it be towels, dresses or diapers! At one time I was bogged down and swamped underneath a mountain of dirty baskets. I couldn't catch up... the problem only spiraled downward, worsening! Someone suggested I bag it all up, take it to the local laundromat, and have it all cleaned and dried in two hours. Then, they said to go through it, and keep out only three outfits per person, plus a "for good" outfit. My husband agreed to help me. He thought this was wise advice. I felt guilty for the cost (coin machines, I learned, were expensive!), but it's helped tremendously! Drawers aren't overflowing with clothes rarely used, and closets are also neat. My laundry is manageable at about three loads per day. I can handle it!
ORGANIZING Spend a few minutes every day (fifteen is perfect!) going through your house and working in different areas. Your end goal should be to organize everything you find! Don't allow anything to remain that does not go there! Your motto should be the popular one: "Everything in it's place and a place for everything"! Make use of file cabinets, folders and storage drawers. Be creative with shoeboxes. Pack things away and move them (labeled and/or indexed!) to the attic or basement. Clutter causes chaos! COOKING & BAKING Use a menu to plan your family's meals and get groceries accordingly. It helps to cut costs. Some ladies like to have a day set aside for cooking once per month. Then, they freeze things so meals are a breeze. Others like to have a day set aside each week for baking. Whatever your situation, the key is to do what benefits you best in the end. Learn your family's own unique needs and fit it into your schedule! Try to eat healthy, whole foods. Eating things in a closer state to what God intended will benefit you and your family. It will also stretch further, fill you better, and be easier on the pocketbook.
SEWING Sewing is a necessity, here. I make most of my family's garments, and find I need time set aside to work on things. Even if your sewing is mainly mending responsibilities, you should have included a special spot in your daily or weekly schedule for it. There used to be a time when I would just set aside things that needed a button or snap replaced, or a hole patched. "I'll do it later" became my saying. What a pile it produced! -- And ironically, further procrastination! Don't fall into this trap! Do it regularly! ~~~ As you can see, the greatest advice I have in regard to homemaking is to just DO IT. Don't let it add up until it is something unmanageable. Tackle it daily, and enlist your children to help, if possible. A clean, neat home is a treasure! Others will feel more comfortable within it, and relaxed. When you need something, it will be easily found. You'll know just where it is. Unexpected company will be eagerly invited in... You won't feel embarrassed. And best of all, you will find peace! There is something about a messy, dirty house that leaves us feeling just miserable. Enjoy your tasks as homemaker!
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