I have been thinking lately about what it means to be homemaker. I see a lot of videos on TikTok of women scrubbing floors, watering plants, and braiding their children’s hair. I love watching these videos purely for entertainment and sometimes I am overwhelmed by them.
I’ve found myself asking questions like, “Is it important to my children that I am always caught up on the laundry?” and “Do they care that they only get a home-cooked meal a few times per week?”
As I’ve given it more thought in recent months, I’ve come to the conclusion that homemaking encompasses a variety of things that go beyond whether or not goldfish cracker crumbs are a permanent part of my carpet (they are).
My updated definition of a homemaker is “a person who sets the tone for the home”. For me, this includes the following:
- Playing fun or pretty music throughout the day
- Making eye contact when talking to my kids
- Random “I love you’s”
- Showing affection to my partner in front of my kids
- Telling them stories (about family members, future events, or silly made-up stories)
These things aren’t focused on a final outcome. Rather, they are things that I can can incorporate into any day, any hour, any car ride, any long and grueling afternoon, any bedtime routine, any meal time.
