tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post3636359878445435719..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Homemaking - the power careerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76711955161322918072014-04-01T23:37:59.293+10:002014-04-01T23:37:59.293+10:00I am a nurse but I am not working right now. Do I...I am a nurse but I am not working right now. Do I have to work? Maybe. Do I need to work to get my debts paid off so that I can eventually get back to being a true housewife? Yes. I created some of my messes and I have to clean it all up myself in order to get back to the simple ways of living like I once did. I admit it though, when I was at home and not working before I decided to become a nurse, I had a brand new home and I lived at home, I took care of it as much as I could but I always felt as though I needed a job to help make ends meet, even though everyone else in my household were taken care of. It was me of course that felt the need to make ends meet cause I felt as though I didn't have enough. At that point in my life I was thinking how much better it would be to have money to go on trips on vacations go clothing shopping and to buy things for the home to decorate it. I got upset because my family members and some friends didn't work but they had all of those things. So I became a nurse and too at the point when I did it became necessary because of my husbands illness I needed something that would pay well in case of his passing. He is still alive today and so now I feel like I don't want to work but I have to work for a while to undo my financial messes. Oh what did I get myself into? I regret a lot of things but I am proud of my accomplishments at the same time. I went to school and graduated and got my certification even though I had 2 disabled children with special needs and my husband was ill and I too had my own physical limitations due to arthritis. So I overcame a lot and accomplished a lot. But now I pay for all the consequences. If only I had stopped while I was still ahead financially and just stayed put where I was. But the thing is we had a new home but didn't own the land. So that is what drove me to move and because of no jobs in our are and coal mining shutting down, that left things bare and no where to run or to turn and stores had left our areas and so we had to travel for miles just to buy clothing. So now I moved and now I furthered my career and yes more financial worries. I am out here on my own, away from family, away from friends, who could not help me even when we lived near each other. So here I am wanting to get back to self sufficiency but I find that I keep going in circles and can't get off the debt roller coaster track and I can never ever get ahead. I did find that coupons helped me to sustain myself and I lived off a stockpile that i had so that I could further my career, but at the same time debts were piling up from student educational loans. Now I wished I had not have done so many things. And now I value the duty and title of being a housewife. I want that life back, but to have what is mine: a house and land and no bills or debts to pay for so that when I do eventually get back to that life style, then it will all be set.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10420237929202564140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20858509216717805362010-12-22T00:58:04.391+10:002010-12-22T00:58:04.391+10:00oh PS sorry... If you want to talk to young people...oh PS sorry... If you want to talk to young people about the joys of homemaking, you could lean towards the satisfaction of accomplishing things with your own hands. For me, the first time I planted seeds (I had a butternut pumpkin and saved the seeds, prepared the ground, planted and watered). To see little green things shoot up weirdly excited me! Then when I stood there chopping up butternut pumpkins that came out of the ground, it felt pretty good to know that I did that. Or another example, you can just do what you "HAVE" to do around the house, yknow, keep it relitavely tidy, washing, vaccum, dinner on the table. and live in a mundane way.. or you can take your job seriously, with enthusiasm, and do it in style! Decorate your home so that its something you can be proud to invite people into, learn how to cook some delicious meals that really have that fresh produce edge, or an amazing desert that makes your husband melt. There's no end to the satisfaction that comes with putting in effort, and doing things with excellence. A lost art for my generation of abstract-looking generic furnature, plastics, microwave dinners and low maintenance gardens. sigh.<br /><br />three places I would hit hard in your presentation:<br /><br />* Satisfaction from results<br />* Pride in what you do have<br />* being unique, different in how you do life.<br /><br />yep, every young person wants to be unique, set apart from the crowd. but most of us try with how we dress or a new haircut. most of the young people dont think to be different in how they do "house". if that makes sense.<br /><br />hope this helps!Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14474386909268521532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30503448860882770102010-12-22T00:48:49.777+10:002010-12-22T00:48:49.777+10:00what a wonderful post! Im a "young" home...what a wonderful post! Im a "young" homemaker and I LOVE it. I actually dont have many close friends because we have grown apart. They like to party on every weekend and have there kids babysat, work alot and talk about other people, clothes and tv shows... I like to be with my family as often as possible, scout thrift stores for bargains, make my home beautiful and talk about things of depth. Im only just starting out and dont know heaps, but what I do know, I put to practice. This blog is so great, im looking forward to reading more of your work. Thanks for this encouragement!<br />Mrs K<br />http://happilyeverafterau.blogspot.comTerrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14474386909268521532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-86165201073324357852010-08-18T08:17:53.550+10:002010-08-18T08:17:53.550+10:00Thank you so much!! Your website is just what I ne...Thank you so much!! Your website is just what I needed!! My hubby and I are working right now so that he can retire (he is chief of police) in 5 years. he will be 56 and I will be 46. We are trying to teach our children to enjoy life and treasure every minute. That it is now how much you make but how much you enjoy getting up in the morning and going to your "job", whatever that may be. Thanks for all you do and you are definately making a diffference!! Blessings and Peace, terri sammons!!terri sammons~~Life is Good~~https://www.blogger.com/profile/04294219682461421826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82215703417082135732010-08-18T00:26:51.812+10:002010-08-18T00:26:51.812+10:00I love this book!! Checked it out from the librar...I love this book!! Checked it out from the library (it just came out) but I plan on buying it from the author; because it is definately a keeper!Earthdrummerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16844734109596298102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27213560451709197942010-08-17T17:50:34.532+10:002010-08-17T17:50:34.532+10:00I agree 100%. I love my life! Im a 27 yr old marr...I agree 100%. I love my life! Im a 27 yr old married mother of 2 (10 and 4). Im a home maker and its great. I also knit,sew (cloths, bags, ect..) and love cooking and baking. My husband is a soldier so I am the stable parent, it makes me happy knowing Im always there for my kids, my husband and me, not being pulled in a million other directions. When I worked (waitress and CMA) I felt I was always short changing someone, not saying that some people cant do it, I just knew it wasnt the life for me. <br /><br />Thank you so much for posting this, I am so sick of other women in my age group looking so disgusted when I say Im a SAHM. They try to tell me that I cant be satisfied from this life and that my husband is holding me back.... I dont understand why they cant see how happy I am at home?<br /><br />I must thank my friend who passed your blog on and now you have another followerKatiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16373712056192699824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60071346240930543742010-08-17T12:09:09.434+10:002010-08-17T12:09:09.434+10:00Thanks for your thoughts. As usual, it's a th...Thanks for your thoughts. As usual, it's a thought-provoking, inspiring, and empowering post. :)Camihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05783075193640433646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-40206937083091294442010-08-17T10:28:51.992+10:002010-08-17T10:28:51.992+10:00i have put this book on my wishlist.
30 years ago ...i have put this book on my wishlist.<br />30 years ago as a 14 year old my mother said, bout time you started to think about a career path, asking me what i thought i might want to do i replied that i wanted to be a housewife, cook clean sew garden and look after my family. she replied that the world didnt work like that and i would need a career. i hope that world is indeed changing and that 14 year old girls do have the option of having a "career" as a housewife.Brenda The Bregle Rebel Bag Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13339446362664808456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-52450002599042331682010-08-17T09:18:10.829+10:002010-08-17T09:18:10.829+10:00cont...The big keys are knowledge, spirituality, f...cont...The big keys are knowledge, spirituality, family and friends, health, wholesome fresh foods, to share your talents and abilities to enrich the lives of those immediately around you,the intrinsic pleasures of life which are given freely, to call the shots and be able to stop and smell the roses.<br />The government increasingly is pressuring women to enter the workplace. Are they concerned that your life is lacking fulfilment, equality? No. They want your taxes and they want you to grow the economy with your spending from more income. To be a spending machine. They offer subsidised childcare like a shining jewel. Instead you are trading your real treasure for more stuff that will break, fade and become obsolete. By offering childcare, they have created jobs that create taxable income and spending for the childcare workers as well. <br />The irony of a mother paying for someone else to care for their child while they get paid for caring for someone else's is lost on a society that runs on money and stuff.<br />Yes, there are those that need to, who should be supported but there are many whose needs have been dictated to them by a consumerist society and government feeding off economic growth.<br />On the positive side, you can reclaim those keys, reclaim lost knowledge, and keep your real treasures under your own control. You can have real achievement at home. There is a job for any skill outside the home you could desire. whether it be musician, artist, chef, interior decorator, accountant, logistics manager psychologist, botanist, nurse, humanitarian, anything. You can be the best you can be and use any of these skills within the home and make a difference directly. You can use these skills outside the home in your community and make it a better place. You can continue to study and learn, formally or informally. There is never an excuse to be bored at home. You CAN have your cake and eat it too. especially when you have made it yourself and shared it with people that you love :)<br />I hope this wasn't to intense and there is something useful.<br />Thankyou for your insightful and thought provoking posts.Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16967887702250495638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38118305892500146402010-08-17T09:16:05.777+10:002010-08-17T09:16:05.777+10:00Ok, after having slept on it and thought about it ...Ok, after having slept on it and thought about it some more, I'll expound a bit more and try to answer the last question you asked.<br />Still on the same theme.<br />As chatelaine of our "castle" or stronghold, we hold the keys and responsibility for the quality of life we wish to lead unless we listen to those voices that undermine our innate abilities and confidence. They say they know better and they know what we need and how to be happy. You have to ask yourself, "why am I working for someone else instead of at home, working for the welfare of my family directly?" How would you feel if someone said to you, "You are not responsible enough to plan your meals, you don't know how to dress, if you don't do everything exactly the way I tell you to, you will get sick, have no friends, and you cannot possible be happy." And to add insult to injury, you handed over your rights or "keys" for the rather dubious instruction and dont realise you can tke them back anytime you like. They say: "You must eat these foods, the convenience will make your life easier and therefore happy", You must wear these brands of clothing so you can all look the same and other people will like you and you will be happy" "You must have 3 living areas and 5 bedrooms or people will think you are slumming it or lazy and can't be your friend" "You must take an expensive overseas holiday once a year or you won't be happy and people will pity you" "you must drive the latest car, own the biggest screen TV, latest game console so you can be happy"<br />"you must be a certain shape or weight and buy expensive equipment to maintain it or you won't be happy"<br />"your children must attend private schools as the only way for them to be happy is to get a "good job" and buy all the aforementioned things".<br />Pretty much, what we want is to be happy, but the key to happiness never will be found in the acquisition of money and possessions.<br />The big keys are knowledge, family and friends, health, wholesome fresh foods, to share your talents and abilities to enrich the lives of those immediately around you,the intrinsic pleasures of life which are given freely, to call the shots and be able to stop and smell the roses.<br />The government increasingly is pressuring women to enter the workplace. Are they concerned that your life is lacking fulfilment, equality? No. They want your taxes and they want you to grow the economy with your spending from more income. To be a spending machine. They offer subsidised childcare like a shining jewel. Instead you are trading your real treasure for more stuff that will break, fade and become obsolete. By offering childcare, they have created jobs that create taxable income and spending for the childcare workers as well. <br />The irony of a mother paying for someone else to care for their child while they get paid for caring for someone else's is lost on a society that runs on money and stuff.<br />Yes, there are those that need to, who should be supported but there are many whose needs have been dictated to them by a consumerist society and government feeding off economic growth.<br />cont..Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16967887702250495638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-905159818443904882010-08-17T04:26:41.594+10:002010-08-17T04:26:41.594+10:00Thank you so much for writing this. I wholehearted...Thank you so much for writing this. I wholeheartedly agree with you - we GAIN so much by living this lifestyle. Your blog is a joy to read and I have learned so much from reading it the past few months.A World of Lovelinesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07496564355011337073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-70077585146892568582010-08-17T03:49:14.654+10:002010-08-17T03:49:14.654+10:00I was so thankful to see your new post. I have al...I was so thankful to see your new post. I have also planned to post on this subject as well. I have been wrestling with the decision to follow my heart, or follow the "peer pressure" I feel from others to have a career. I returned to school last semester in my quest for a career. I was so very thankful for the opportunity to attend and get high marks, proving to myself that I could succeed at school and have a career if I chose to. However, my heart is at home. My struggle was with the opinions of those outside of our home that expected me to work because both adults in the home now work. I am so very blessed to have a husband who fully supports me being at home and nurturing my family. After many late nights, following his encouragement, I have laid down the struggle that I feel. I am following my heart and ignoring those that intentionally or not make me feel guilty for taking care of our home and family. I am providing a nurturing and loving environment for my family when they return home at the end of a long day at work and school. I know in my heart of hearts this is what I am meant to do and only hope that I can provide encouragement to others that wish to do the same as well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02673470550534877117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6917414353504852752010-08-17T03:18:08.915+10:002010-08-17T03:18:08.915+10:00This really needs to be brought to the attention o...This really needs to be brought to the attention of many, especially when it comes to single mums such as myself. The pressure to go out and get a job as soon as possible is huge. Not every single mum on the planet is a "scrounger" but where is the support if one of these mums wants to stay home and raise her children? Where is the choice?<br /><br />For my part, it means I have to live on tax credits and disability - and I worked for years; but I'm seen as the Problem, not as the Solution. That I'm making myself available to deal with every single issue my son has, working with him, working with his school, his social worker, making myself ill to be his advocate, well, none of that is important. <i>I don't have a real job.</i><br /><br />What I really want to see is the full support of every woman, whether she has a partner or not, who decides to be a homemaker and dedicate her time to her family and her home. Not all of us are sitting at home watching soaps and scoffing choccies - but even if we aren't, the stereotypes remain. I've gotten to the point where I don't care, but I know other single mums who feel pressured going back to work even if they don't want to.<br /><br />Chin up, sisters, and do what you wanna do.Oya's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184649716540468970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65428615718477305872010-08-17T02:54:20.809+10:002010-08-17T02:54:20.809+10:00I think (if we have a family and I stay home), tha...I think (if we have a family and I stay home), that if I cant have the title homemaker, or homesteader. Maybe I will take domicile manager...Solhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00809314184012834659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80814404624884947432010-08-17T02:40:40.195+10:002010-08-17T02:40:40.195+10:00Another great post! I have just recently finished ...Another great post! I have just recently finished Radical Homemakers as well, and found it very inspiring!<br /><br />One thing I am considering doing, to call people back to the simple pleasures, and away from the speedy pace of life, is to write letters by hand to send to family and friends, writing about whatever seems appropriate. Perhaps including a photograph or even a sketch of the garden, wildlife on our property, or a hand-crafted project we are working on. With the ease of emailing, getting personal letters by mail delivery has become a rare treat. I think people will be touched at being thought of in such a personal way, and no one can deny that a tangible letter is much more satisfying to receive than an email. This is one way I have thought of to share the abundant, simple life with those caught in the high technology rat race.truthseekerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04860754388733837518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47748485644471927122010-08-17T01:36:40.206+10:002010-08-17T01:36:40.206+10:00Well said!
I too read this book and posted about ...Well said!<br /><br />I too read this book and posted about it (http://theurbantrowel.blogspot.com/2010/08/radical-homemakers.html) <br /><br />After 21 years as a stay-at-home mom, farmer's wife, and apparently radical homemaker, it is nice to see some validation for this important career.CMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01958687890076873005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72700647880125033462010-08-17T01:14:39.601+10:002010-08-17T01:14:39.601+10:00Preach on! I too have read the book and found it v...Preach on! I too have read the book and found it very inspiring. I am sick to death of having to explain to people that no, I do not sit around and watch soap operas and eat bon bons because I CHOOSE to stay at home. I am very fulfilled and never bored. When your days are filled with meaningful tasks, there is no need for anything else!<br /><br />Stephanie :)<br />www.simplicitymom.blogspot.comStephanie G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05882624961922548749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-70021503492996653862010-08-17T00:47:02.066+10:002010-08-17T00:47:02.066+10:00This is a great reminder. I think young people wou...This is a great reminder. I think young people would have a good response to this, as I did, because not only is it new to us, but it makes sense. We all see that buying things doesn't satisfy, that there is never enough money to make us happy, that even the rich and famous are still looking for something more. <br />The Girl in the Pink DressThe Girl in the Pink Dresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00250837836714463827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-19721357344756798202010-08-16T22:29:01.350+10:002010-08-16T22:29:01.350+10:00wonderful article!
I was 17 when I married 19 year...wonderful article!<br />I was 17 when I married 19 years ago and 18 when we had our first child. The first doctor I tried out said to me " Housewife, huh? What are you going to be when you grow up?"<br />it shocked me so much, I couldn't think of what to say!Riverswamphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03829975324307834448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-33028657801887858152010-08-16T22:18:58.353+10:002010-08-16T22:18:58.353+10:00I'm a homemaker at heart I guess. In this cur...I'm a homemaker at heart I guess. In this current season, my husband feels that it is best that I work outside of the home. We are aggressively paying off our mortgage. I understand his reasons, but I place more value on the work I do inside our home - cooking from scratch, gardening, thrifitng, learning the homemaking skills I was never taught. I started my blog to encourage and support others who might be in a similar situation as mine - working but whose heart is really at home.Mary Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08816881493977758025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34675066104286291252010-08-16T22:16:05.630+10:002010-08-16T22:16:05.630+10:00Well said and articulated, Rhonda(You are a lady a...Well said and articulated, Rhonda(You are a lady after one's own heart:)!<br /><br />xoxoxoCosmichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16914679393048652782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34945779494091713652010-08-16T21:50:51.991+10:002010-08-16T21:50:51.991+10:00Hi Rhonda *waves* :) I've come across your blo...Hi Rhonda *waves* :) I've come across your blog by way of the kidspot top 50 awards.<br /><br />I just wanted to say Thank you. Thank you so much for such a wonderful post. As a 26 year old stay at home mum to three little ones I really struggle with societies view on what and who the 'homemaker' is. It annoys me that my childless career minded friends look apon me with pity. I really love staying at home and doing my job here, but there is always that niggle in the back of my mind that says I am not achieving all I can be. That in some way I need to be 'out there' 'being productive'. It's pretty ridiculous, but it's defenately a realism for a lot of mums this day and age. I think it's really sad. But seeing a post like this does really reaffirm my belief in myself and my job. I just wish more people AND society would really try to help change peoples perceptions. Thank you again for giving me the confidence to be proud of my lifestyle choice. xxx ShiloShilo Sayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02250884482868294100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-53344605859306165752010-08-16T21:35:26.697+10:002010-08-16T21:35:26.697+10:00I loved Shannon Hayes' book and it (along with...I loved Shannon Hayes' book and it (along with subsequently finding your blog) has helped me to articulate why I am so very committed to be at home (even though I find it hard and am on many steep learning curves). I feel like I can finally say this without feeling like I'm letting down the 'sisterhood'. I enjoyed the way Hayes upheld households as units, groups of people who really must strive together to build a live together (not the fractured 'coexisting but independent individuals' we've been encouraged to become, for largely economic reasons).<br /><br />Thank YOU for your continued example, wisdom and passion for educating the masses. The message is getting through, trickling through. I'm proof.Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06422492795264972573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50671110960023673792010-08-16T17:57:08.076+10:002010-08-16T17:57:08.076+10:00Thank you Rhonda for all your words lately. I read...Thank you Rhonda for all your words lately. I read your blog a lot, flipping through the archives and taking notes of things I can use.<br />Lately though, with my growing discontent with my paid work - and it's well paid work - your posts have been ringing bells for me. <br />Thank you for giving me so much food for thought, and hope that there's more to life than earning money in a job that makes me miserable.<br />- Jen (http://grow-it-eat-it.tumblr.com)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-5154181084776534022010-08-16T16:20:57.682+10:002010-08-16T16:20:57.682+10:00One of your wonderful posts that speaks volumes to...One of your wonderful posts that speaks volumes to me Rhonda. After years of study and working earning good money, I'm now happiest in my current role as a stay at home mum. Growing veggies, baking bread, washing nappies. Simple pleasures. These years with my little people are precious and I wouldn't trade them for anything.tea with lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07189192073489440981noreply@blogger.com