Women's Work

I loved today's Daily Om so much, I just had to share it: Tending the Hearth

And lest you think that I'm biased against Working [outside of the home] Mothers, let me assure you that I believe the principles stated herewith apply to all Mothers. You don't have to be home to create a home. And I'm qualified to say that because I've done both.

Just as Dawn brilliantly put it, it's not the things we do as Mothers, but WHY we do them that's important.

Comments

[Kellie]

Hmmmm

I don't know, as a woman I think the crisp sheets, great meal, wonderfully set table *is* great, but many times my wonderful dh does those things.

I think its a PARENTS (mom and dad) role to build a home... expecting or calling these items a woman's work is a bit archiac.

But thats me...

Cheers!

[Ninotchka]

Hi Kellie! Thanks for stopping by. You didn't leave an email addie so I'll just respond here:

My husband does all of those wonderful things too, often better than I. If you've read me for a while, then you know I often accuse him of trying to "show me up" or going for "sainthood." He's THAT good.

That said, he's the working-outside-of-the-home parent and I am the stay-at-home parent. Posting this was more about ME embracing that role.

As the Daily Om post indicated, nowadays many Dads do their fair share of "Women's Work." I think their use of that phrase was more tongue in cheek than some sort of political statement.

I hope you'll stop by again. As my previous post indicated, I have the utmost admiration for "mothers [women] who think."

:)

[Jen]

I don't know . . . I've been helping Lou out with the dishes because he's working a lot lately (and I DO NOT do dishes!) and as I was loading the dishwasher and washing the sink last night, I thought to myself "anyone who says they enjoy this is either lying to feel better about doing it, or smoking crack."

then again, I'm one of those who thinks a clean house is extremely over-rated. :)

[Ninotchka]

Jen: It's SO not about the clean house. You should see mine. I think it's about what we do to create a "home." They use clean sheets as an example (which, yeah, is nice, but I'm sure I don't change them often enough.LOL), but I think it can be whatever extra special touch you bring. You've immersed yourself in Jake's treatment and are documenting your lives in such a gorgeous way. For me, it's playing, celebrating holidays and yes, even baking cookies. It's different for everyone but I think what matters is that the intention is there. And, of course, the love!

[Hannah&boys]

What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Quality time is what's important and a strong parental role model. How can women judge each other so harshly...we're all trying to do our best!!

[chatty cricket]

Oh my God I love this! At times, even though I'm sure I sound like a complete goober, I like to think about how Lady and Mister see their world and I know what Sweetie and I do for them day in and day out are really the foundation. Even if Lady never really looks back fondly on the way I set the table, she'll at least remember having lunch with her Mommy (we don't do family dinners yet since Sweetie gets home from work about 30 minutes before Lady goes to bed, and Mister's still on the all-liquid diet).

I also LOVE the feeling I get when I know I've worked hard and can sit back and enjoy what I've done. Don't get me wrong, sometimes the housework piles up because other (more fun) stuff takes priority, but I love the look of a clean and organized kitchen. It just makes me feel all zen inside. And there's nothing I love more than snuggling up in my nice clean sheets on clean sheet day. I'm such a sucker for fancy laundry detergent for this very reason. And don't get me started on how good it makes me feel to cook a really great meal that feeds the soul. Ahhhhh.

It's really easy to get bogged down in the tedious daily work, but so good to remember it's not really about folding the laundry or loading the dishwasher. Thanks for sharing your Daily Om Nino!!