Motherly Advice.....The Contribution of the Stay-at-Home-Mother

  Oh hi.....it's you!   Come in, come in.   I'm so glad you're here! I just baked a slice and the kettle's on for a cuppa. Here have a seat. No you take the comfy one. That's it.   Now. Let's see. You say you're not sure you can keep dealing with life the way it is? That you think having a career is the only way to feel like you're making a contribution, right? That being at home with children is really a bit of a thankless task? I hear you. I think I've been in the same boat.   But can I tell you something?   Many years down the track, I look at my wonderful grown sons and their wives and children, at my disabled son proudly living an independent life, and at my daughter, nearly an adult herself, and I know that I have done the right thing. Oh I worked, I had a career, I thought that was the be all and end all too. But Mr A's disability soon cured me of that notion. I think I needed the wakeup call, frankly. Overnight, just about, I had to rearrange my priorities and my life. In fact I wouldn't have met The Musician Husband if my son hadn't been born with a disability. Our lives would have taken a completely different path and I still would have been with Mr Haughty who only ever thought about what made him look good. And that certainly didn't mean a disabled son.   So, many years on, I know, that I am where I was meant to be.   The problem is though, that it does take about twenty years for you to see the fruits of your labour as a Mum and Wife. So much goes on in the meantime, that it's any wonder we question ourselves. We think every mistake we make is the end of the world and that tough times last forever.   Well mistakes help us learn and grow, and no, tough times do not last forever. Not if you work hard at carving out a comfortable life for you and your little family.   Now let's take the idea of treating what we do in the home like a 'real job', getting up early to start work, and working consistently throughout the day, only taking breaks as would be dictated by an external workplace.

That one idea, can allow you to feed the family for less, enjoy a clean and welcoming home, put some groceries aside for lean times, make gifts, support the school with fundraising or volunteering, thus minimising costs for other families, make clothing where appropriate, make cards to gift or share, knit for warmth in the Winter, build and plant shade shelter for the Summer, expand your garden with propagated plants, establish a herb garden to increase your eating pleasure for no cost, experiment with less expensive cuts of meat and make the most of inexpensive produce in season.

So let's make a pact, that tomorrow is Day One of Managing the Home as a Real Job. Let's get up early together, welcoming the sunrise with enthusiasm, and see how much we can achieve together. Let's make a list tonight, a realistic list of what needs doing, and see how many things we can tick off together. Let's meet again tomorrow evening and see how far we've both come. I bet you'll be proud.

And so you should be proud of all you achieve in the home. It's such a valuable skill to able to manage your household budget effectively and still have the capacity to carve out a comfortable, elegant life. We can do it together.

Oh look at that time. I must fly. But feel free to drop in whenever you need to. I'm always here.   ....Mimi xxx   I hope you don't mind but these people were eavesdropping on our little chat :)   Show and Tell Friday Frugal Friday The Art of Homemaking Mondays Artful Homemaking