The Art of Homemaking

This is my blog, so if you don't want to hear this, just hit the back button. I have been thinking a lot about this lately... I have a talk I give my girls before marriage which we call, "The Feminine Mystique." Now that they are married and are creating homes, it is time for my, "Art of Homemaking" talk. I am not referring to any person here... it is just something that I want my daughters (and all of you who feel like my daughters) to know.

When people walk into your home, they feel the spirit of the family that resides there. Even the walk up to the front door starts sending out a message about the family inside. Whenever President Norton had to call someone to a stake position, he would drive up to their home and sit outside in his car to feel the spirit of the family inside. Creating a home involves having the spirit there, keeping it clean, orderly, and maintained...it is not just about decorating. You can have very few "things" and still have a home that invites the spirit. There is an art to this and it is one that all women need to develop. Some women seem to have a gift for this, but most of us have to work at it and even read and study how to do it. Many young women say almost proudly, "I don't cook!" or "I work so I can't keep up with things." or "I have kids and they mess it up as soon as I get it clean." These comments get widespread acceptance in this day and age, but if you said that to my mother or her mother, they would be very disappointed (I think the more accurate word would be disgusted). You may not get paid for this important job and it surely doesn't require a degree but nevertheless it is an art and an important one. The spirit cannot reside where there is disorder and where things are not clean (think: the temple inside and out). It also puts the people who live in the home in the same state of being.

I thought it was interesting that Sister Beck took a lot of criticism for saying almost this very thing because women have become so accustomed to putting this skill low on their priorities in life.

TEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE HOMEMAKERS:

1. Never leave your bedroom in the morning without making your bed (unless your husband is still in it!).

2. If you have piles of stuff, you have too much stuff. If you can't give or throw some of the stuff away, you have a problem. EVERYTHING HAS TO HAVE A LANDING PLACE...NO PILES.

3. Stay away from fast food and eating out, except on weekends. I guarantee you will feel better about yourself. Cook simple meals for your family.

4. Wash everyday, stay on top of it. Fold it and put it away. Better yet, have your kids put it away.

5. Involve your children, give them chores, they will do better in school if they have responsibilities at home.

6. Never go to bed with the kitchen in a mess. All toys and clutter should be put away. Remember if you don't know where to put it, you have too much stuff.

7. Bathrooms can be cleaned in under 10 minutes, so don't put it off.

8. Finish each task completely before you start a new one.

9. Don't let this enslave you. Things don't have to be perfect and if you have fewer things, it is easier.

10. Now finally, don't get extreme. My mother was late to my wedding shower because she was doing her dishes. She should have gone to a fast food place that night. The story goes that my Grandma Violet caught the sawdust, as Grandpa Howard was building her home, before it fell to the floor. No need for extremes, just balance and not too much stuff.

This is what I mean--that it is an art worthy of your efforts because you want to be able to have time for this....

and this!