Is this your first day as a full-time homemaker? You probably envision leisurely mornings, perfectly prepared meals, and a cosy, inviting home for your family, don’t you? Well, soon, reality will set in. The never-ending tasks of cooking, cleaning, and organising quickly will fill your days, leaving you wondering: what exactly does it mean to be a homemaker?
Some might not see it as vital, but being a homemaker is key. It creates a supportive home for families to thrive. This role includes meal planning, shopping, cleaning, and setting a nurturing atmosphere for loved ones. It’s truly important.
In Australia and globally, homemaking is changing. It’s more than just following traditional gender roles or societal norms. Now, it’s about finding joy in tasks that support family and oneself.
Where to start with homemaking
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In the past, homemaking focused on cleaning, cooking, and organising, much like a maid. However, today, it involves much more.
A well-kept home offers a peaceful retreat. By beautifying and organising, homemakers create a calm, mentally healthy space.
Homemaking is vital for strong family bonds and healthy child development. A cosy home encourages quality family time, shared meals, talks, and activities, fostering connection. If this life appeals to you, that’s great.
Simplify your home: Decluttering and organising
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A cluttered home can clutter your mind. So, mentally prepare to clear out old clothes, knick-knacks, magazines, and unused items. This will immediately enhance your daily life by stopping distractions. After decluttering, start organising. Buy storage solutions to maximise space and keep things neat. For example, use baskets to collect toys and shelves for books and ornaments. You don’t need to be a hardcore minimalist. Instead, just ensure each item has a designated spot.
The principles of keeping a home organised are very clear and the major principle is to avoid clutter. One of the habits that should be developed is the habit of evaluating the items in use frequently and getting rid of them when not needed anymore.
Home maintenance
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When you’re done with decluttering, there is a whole plethora of other tasks to attent to. Some of these can and likely should be delegated to your husband or a professional. It’s up to you to decide.
Home improvement – Renovating your kitchen sounds exciting, but improvements can involve much smaller things like changing the light fixtures or hanging a new keyholder. You have likely already picked the new colour for the kitchen, haven’t you?
Home repair – Things wear out, inevitably. Leaky faucets, broken door handles, and small holes in walls need repairs;
Home maintenance – Checking for leaks and ensuring appliances work. That’s what home upkeep is all about but it doesn’t mean you need to repair them yourself. Especially in places like Australia, where you need certificates to do any sort of electrical repairs;
Lawn maintenance and lawn care – From mowing the lawn to edging and fertilising, lawn maintenance is an ongoing process. Not a light one either, but very satisfying job, if you ask us. More lawn care activities include aerating soil, controlling weeds, and proper irrigation;
Gardening – It’s so fun to plant flowers, vegetables, and shrubs. But you should also carry out watering, weeding, and pruning regularly. Might have to consider gardening services for that one.
And now let’s discuss some very traditional housekeeping tasks which a homemaker is expected to handle.
Cooking – Cooking provides nutritious meals for your family. It’s the most essential skill you can have;
Cleaning – Daily tasks include wiping surfaces, sweeping floors, and taking out trash. Deep cleaning involves vacuuming carpets and scrubbing bathrooms;
Laundry – Laundry includes washing, drying, folding, and ironing clothes, but you already know that;
Baking – Baking brings joy and delicious results. Make bread, pastries, and cakes for special occasions or daily enjoyment;
Sewing – Patch jeans or sew new curtains to save money and personalise your home. It can be really fun if you have the patience.
Does all of this sound like too much to handle? No worries!
You can ask for help and let us take the load off your shoulders.
Priorities and planning
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Good time management is the key for running a home organisation. It involves financial management, meal planning, and other skills. Here’s how to make your routines and schedules efficient, doubling your sense of time.
Household purchasing – Start by taking stock of what you need versus what you want. What you need are groceries, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene products. What you want are decorative items, luxury gadgets, and non-essential clothing;
Household budget – Set a realistic budget. Allocate funds for essentials like groceries, utilities, and household maintenance. Save whatever is left for non-essentials;
Shopping – Strategic shopping can save time and money. Make lists before heading to the store to avoid impulse purchases and keep an eye out for special deals;
Daily schedule and routine – Dedicate time for tasks like cleaning, meal preparation, and relaxation. This will provide structure and stability to your days and keep you organised;
Meal plans – Create weekly meal plans. Take into account your family’s preferences and dietary needs. Use them as a guide for grocery shopping;
Yearly tasks – These include deep cleaning, seasonal decor changes, and home maintenance projects. Schedule them in advance to stay on top of things.
If you need or have decided to work, then the balancing act can be challenging. Still, it’s not impossible. First, let’s distinguish a homemaker from a stay-at-home mum.
A stay-at-home mom focuses on children and household activities. She cares for the kids, helps with their routines, and often takes them to school or activities. The main goal is to support their growth and well-being.
Meanwhile, a homemaker handles a broader set of tasks. She cooks, cleans, organises, and decorates. Her aim is to keep the home running smoothly. This job involves managing the household for a comfortable, organised living space. It’s a challenging task, especially with kids.
For those of you who work outside the home, the challenge lies in fulfilling these homemaking duties while also meeting the demands of your career. Here is how:
Prioritise tasks – Always start with urgent and important tasks. Examples include cleaning fresh spills, restocking essential groceries, and taking out the trash. Next, move to important but not urgent tasks. These include regularly cleaning the bathroom, kitchen or doing the laundry;
Time management – Your work commitments mustn’t overshadow your homemaking responsibilities. Set aside dedicated time slots for household chores, meal preparation, and family time;
Utilise technology – Try meal planning apps, online grocery delivery services, and smart home devices like robotic vacuum cleaners. This can help simplify household chores and save time;
Delegate responsibilities – Assign children to set the table or take out the trash. Your spouse, on the other hand, can handle meal preparation or laundry. Alternatively, you can outsource tasks like cleaning or lawn care for more efficiency.
Flexible schedule – If possible, negotiate a flexible work schedule. Remote work arrangements are also good. For example, working from home two days a week to avoid commuting stress;
Open communication – discuss expectations with your spouse. Divide responsibilities, and support each other;
Self-care – Set aside time for relaxation, hobbies, and personal development. That way you recharge and maintain your well-being. Service to self is service to others, always remember that.
Combining career with home duties
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The work-life balance can get very convoluted when you work from home. So…
Establish a routine – Build a daily schedule that divides time between work and homemaking. For instance, designate mornings for work and afternoons for chores;
Set boundaries – Inform family members about the time you’ll be working to reduce chances of being disturbed. You might say, “I will be busy from 9 to 5 so kindly do not bother me with any issues that are not very urgent.“;
Create a dedicated workspace – Design a quiet corner at home for work, separate from common areas. A spare room or a cosy nook could be perfect;
Prioritise tasks – For example, prioritise paying bills on time and completing urgent work assignments;
Utilise time management techniques – Work in focused bursts with breaks in between. That way you’ll stay productive. Set a timer for 25 minutes of focused work, then take a 5-minute break;
Take advantage of technology – Use apps like meal planners or grocery delivery services. You’ll save plenty of time.
Sharing responsibilities among family members
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Building a harmonious home means everyone pitches in, with no exceptions. Here’s how to get the whole family involved, including children.
Assign specific roles – Define everyone’s responsibilities based on their age and abilities. Rotate chores to keep things fair and prevent boredom. For example, one family member could handle meal preparation while another takes care of laundry;
Lead by example – Show a positive attitude toward chores. Also work alongside your family. You might say, “Let’s all tidy up together before we relax tonight.”;
Set realistic expectations – Avoid overwhelming everybody with too much. Instead, focus on achievable goals. For example, everyone pitching in to tidy up for 15 minutes after dinner;
Make chores fun – Turn chores into games or challenges. That way they will be fun. For instance, see who can fold the most clothes neatly or make a game out of cleaning up toys;
Offer incentives – Consider giving rewards for completing chores well and on time. This could be anything from extra playtime to choosing a movie for family movie night. Incentives keep everyone motivated and engaged;
Acknowledge efforts – Take time to thank and recognise family members for their help around the house. Also celebrate achievements.
If you’re not allowed to work from home, then be strong. Balancing a work-life with effective homemaker skills can be challenging, especially when working from an office or other remote locations, but you can do it.
Plan and prioritise – First things first, get yourself a trusty weekly schedule. Example: on Monday evenings, you whip up a meal plan and tick off your grocery list. Boom! You’re all set for the week ahead;
Set boundaries – Your mornings should be dedicated to work tasks, and come evening, it’s all about family time and sorting out those pesky chores. When you work at an office, it’s actually easier to leave your work there;
Utilise technology – Streamline household tasks even when you’re away at the office. Use apps for grocery delivery, meal planning, or even hiring services for home maintenance tasks;
Communicate and coordinate – Keep the lines of communication open. Regular chats about who’s doing what help keep things running smoothly.
Maintaining contentment
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Homemaking is all about creating a nurturing space where everyone feels safe and happy. Moreover…
Psychological benefits
When you make your home a sanctuary, you build a place of peace. This can help reduce stress. Imagine coming home to a cosy and warm home. It’s like a big sigh of relief.
Fostering relationships
A well-kept home brings families closer. It’s a place for shared meals, laughter, and quality time. Kids thrive in this environment. They learn routines and feel secure.
Emotional contributions
Homemakers provide comfort through small gestures, like a favourite meal or a tidy room. Stability comes from knowing what to expect at home. Traditions, like family game nights, create lasting memories.
Are you ready to spend time with your family?
Then, we are ready to start cleaning for you.
Takeaways
Homemaking creates a supportive environment where families can thrive;
Homemaking is about more than cleaning and cooking. It’s about joy and mental well-being;
A cosy home fosters quality family time. It also encourages connection and child development;
Embrace and take pride in your role as a homemaker. Whether full-time or balancing with a career, you can do this!
Remember, every effort you put into homemaking matters. Share your stories, experiences, and questions to enrich the conversation. Let’s support each other on this journey.
