Amateur Homemaker's Mission

Purpose:

My purpose in writing this blog is not to convince others (or myself) that I am indeed a homemaker, but rather, my purpose is to use the blog as a tool to improve my homemaking skills. Sure, I can soldier through life simply meeting my family's daily needs and see what happens. But I've never really been a "see-what-happens" type of gal, and I don't intend to be that type of homemaker. I thrive when I set goals and have accountability. I have no false notions of rising to the elite level of professional homemaker, but that does not mean that I cannot strive to become a better homemaker.

Problem:

So, how can this blog be used as a tool to become a better homemaker? Well, I could merely diary my daily tasks as I try to be quicker and more efficient at them. Perhaps, my daily struggles or successes could provide some amusement to me or to my one follower. (thanks, mom) But I have a bigger vision.

Vision:

We (my one "follower" and I) will choose topics related to homemaking and set a time frame in which I will address the topic. Then, the fun begins. Within that time frame, it will be my goal to research, study, implement, and report strategies related to the topic. At the end of the time frame, I will give an honest evaluation of my improvement.

Conclusion:

My ultimate goal is simply to improve. However, I'm hoping by focusing my effort on one topic at a time that I will be able to compile useful and truly helpful information to any other amateur homemakers that happen to stumble across this blog. (Mom, you don't count. You have always been a professional)

"Housework done incorrectly still blesses your family." -Fly Lady

Homemakers Unite!

If the definition of homemaking is the "management of a household," then who exactly gets to be defined as a homemaker? Ahhh....seems simple but herein lies a controversy. Is it a general title bestowed on anyone managing a house, or is it more specifically referring to someone with children or someone who chooses to stay at home? Such discussions often needlessly have a divisive effect.

I am proud to be a stay at home mom. It is what I always wanted to be. And even though it is so much harder than I expected, I love it...most of the time. However, there was a time in my life, before kids, that I worked full-time and attended lawschool. At another time in my life, before I had the twins, I was a working mom. Still, I cared deeply about the state of my home. I just had to become extremely creative in order to properly manage it.

To some, I probably could not have labeled myself a homemaker simply because my time was split between the home and something else. However, to me (and for the purposes of this blog), there is no controversy. We, amateur homemakers, firmly believe that anyone who manages and cares for their home deserves the title homemaker. Maybe the professional homemakers are an exclusive club complete with rules and labels, but amateurs welcome anyone trying to make their home a better place and applaud them for the effort.

Perhaps with a united approach, we can finally figure out how to fold those pesky, fitted sheets.

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.