Professional v. Amateur Homemakers

The definition of homemaking is "the management of the household." It sounds so simple, but the word homemaking has heavy connotations. I cannot help but imagine a woman impeccably dressed, wearing pearls who is simultaneously making dinner, cleaning house, and planning a school-wide bake sale. Unfortunately, that is not me. I do not have Martha Stewart's ability to perfectly decorate cupcakes and to impeccably fold fitted sheets. (Who in the world knows how to fold fitted sheets?) Are these professional homemakers our only examples of true homemakers? And if I fall short of these standard, have I failed as a homemaker?

I submit that you can still be a successful homemaker even if you are less than perfect, less than professional. At least, I hope so because there has to be others like me. Those who care immensely about our homes, husbands, and kids. We want our houses clean, laundry done, and a yummy dinner on the tables. But we are not perfect. We make mistakes and laugh at ourselves. We sometimes choose to play with our kids instead of finishing cleaning our houses. We admittedly do not know everything about housecleaning or child activities or folding fitted sheets. We eagerly solicit opinions and help.

Although we are not experts or professionals, we are homemakers, amateur homemakers.