On housekeeping

If you are like me, just the very word, "housekeeping" is enough to make your whole body twitch.

I came into marriage as a terrible housekeeper, despite the fact that I was the oldest of 5 kids and my mom gave me plenty of lessons and practice.  Nevertheless, I am not detail-oriented, don't like hard work, and can think of many other ways to spend my time (such as blogging).

It seems to me the cultural pendulum has shifted from the perfectionistic, pristine, pretty-little-housewife-keeping-her-home-lovely model of the 1950's to something quite the opposite now.  Viewing that former model as a type of bondage, or at the very least a vague form of legalism, many women today choose to just throw up their hands, give up, and admit -- with pride -- that our homes are a-shambles.

But surely there is a middle ground to be found...  a delight in creating a home for one's family that is at least moderately neat and organized?  A turning point came for me several years ago when I was reading the book Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott (author who wrote Little Women, etc.).

The main character, a 14-year old girl named Rose, was telling her uncle, Alec, that she wanted to develop a "trade" to help support herself when she became an adult.  And this is their dialogue:

(Alec is speaking) "Well, now, there is one very excellent, necessary, and womanly accomplishment that no girl should be without, for it is a help to rich and poor, and the comfort of families depends upon it.... It should be a part of every girl's education..."

 "Oh, what is it?" cried Rose eagerly, charmed to be met in this helpful and cordial way.

"Housekeeping!"

"Is that an accomplishment?" asked Rose, while her face fell, for she had indulged in all sorts of vague, delightful daydreams.

"Yes, it is one of the most beautiful as well as useful of all the arts a woman can learn.  Not so romantic, perhaps, as singing, painting, writing, or teaching, etc, but one that makes many people happy and comfortable, and home the sweetest place in the world.  Yes, you may open your big eyes, but it is a fact that I had rather see you a good housekeeper than the greatest belle in the city.  It need not interfere with any talent you may possess, but it is a necessary part of your training, and I hope you will set about it at once..."

Isn't that a lovely goal - -to make your "home the sweetest place in the world?" Over the years I have learned to develop some housekeeping skills, and have even found joy in making my home sweet.   The battle will always be there, but now I know it's worth fighting!