For near 20 years, I have been a parent and spent much of my time running a household.

Much of my time translates into, before and after my own job out of the home, on weekends and holidays as well as when I am sick, tired, under stress etc.

Running a household is not all folds and fluffs, and cinnamon buns! I mean, there are those things too, but … I want to shed light on the parts not many of us homemakers talk about out loud.

Let’s address appreciation and consideration. Let’s just spill it.

“You know what really makes a homemaker LOVE making the home?”

I am serving up the secret here, on a sparkling platter ….
CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF AND BE GRATEFUL WHEN SOMEONE ELSE DOES SOMETHING FOR YOU!

Roles in a household are often just sort of assumed. Sometimes there are family meetings, to discuss areas where helping each other would be beneficial. Sometimes there are chore charts that appear out of thin air, on the fridge, front row and center – in red marker! Sometimes, the head homemaker goes on strike! (in my experience this does not usually last long and usually involves some type of guilt feeling)

Why is it that roles in our households, sometimes are assumed considering gender or, who has the “most time”?

Girls can put out the garbage and pick up after pets, and boys can cook, bake and fold laundry. EVERYONE has time to clean up after themselves and if help is needed, it really ought to be considered as just that – help. No expectation.

Truth is, unless there is a physical limitation to why one household task cannot be performed by one household member, (gender irrelevant) then it all comes down to choice.

To my son;

I hope that in the years of enjoying many hot and comforting meals, clean clothes and a tidy home, that you will take with you an appreciation of what it is to be part of a home.

Home and family are where the heart is. In these busy days of making your own living and someday, maybe settling down and starting your own family, I want you to take with you one piece of wisdom.

“Do your own laundry.”

Whether this takes form in a literal sense or metaphorically or both … these words mean, do your own laundry and they hold a deeper value than any other lesson I could ever hope to teach you.

In your life, you must remain accountable for your own thoughts, words and actions. Please trust me when I say, accountability in life in general and more specifically, your household is vital.

No one else can choose your thoughts, your words or your actions – only you, can do that.

When we are accountable, we can appreciate. When we can appreciate, we can have compassion. When we have compassion, we can be kind and when we can be kind, we are being, receiving and giving love. Love is the one thing that we need, right? …. Right!

So, essentially my boy, if you do your literal and metaphorical laundry yourself, you are so very well equipped to “know” love.

Taking care of yourself, emotionally and otherwise is the only way to be sure you can be there, completely for another – and the only way you can love another selflessly.

Always remember, success is found in what we do every day.

Love;
Mom