Once upon a time, I was a full-time housewife. My days were spent in the steady rhythm of cleaning and cooking. And I absolutely LOVED it. But when life happens, and you're given opportunities to reach people outside the home (or simply make an honest living), you learn how to adapt to those changes. And if you're lucky like me, the work you partake in is both fulfilling and challenging.
To be perfectly honest, I love the work that I do outside of my home. I love teaching. I love preparing lessons. I love going to meetings and making presentations. I love the moments where I get to invest in people's lives. I even love filing and making bank runs to deposit money.
Here's the thing: wearing many hats--Teacher, CFO, Business Owner, Wife, Chef, Maid, Errand Girl, and Assistant--is overwhelming. And at times, my many titles and jobs bring out the worst in me. But they also have the power to bring out the best parts of me. The truth is: I wouldn't choose to be anything other than a Part-Time Housewife.
But it's not always easy to split my time between my home and my work.
The following are the Confessions of a Part-Time Housewife:
1. I'm A Pro At Saying 'No'
I say it often. Not because I'm being rude, but because I know my limitations. I learned the hard way that I can't be everything to everyone. Instead, I choose wisely when saying 'yes.' If I can't put in the hours needed, then I won't waste anyone's time.
2. It's Not In the Cards For Me Right Now
I've been offered a few full-time jobs. And I have seriously considered each of them. But it's not in the cards for me right now. I would never see my husband if I worked full-time. I wouldn't be able to devote time to helping others. I wouldn't be able to teach our church's home-schooled group Creative Writing every Thursday. I'd just be the woman who works all the time. Don't get me wrong; there is absolutely nothing wrong with that title. It's just not a title I'm comfortable wearing at this point in my life. My husband has always let that be my choice. And I'm so grateful to him for letting me choose.
3. Cleaning Repulses Me
I'm not even lying. I can't stand cleaning. It's one of those things that I loathe with all my being. But I know that it must get done. So, I do it unto the Lord with all of my heart. I scrub those toilets as though my life depends on it. Because this beautiful home that He has given to me deserves to be well kept.
4. I Have Dance Parties In My Kitchen
By myself. When no one is around. I gleefully unleash those 8 years of dance lessons while loading the dishwasher.
5. I Am Exhausted
All the time. But that exhaustion keeps me moving forward. Because I couldn't imagine a day where I don't crawl into bed thanking God for the soft mattress beneath me. It means that I've worked hard. It means that I've given everything I have to the day. Yes, I am exhausted. And thank the Lord that He revives me when I am.
What creative writing do you teach? If you run out of people to take your computer classes a very under served market is quality classes to homeschoolers. I homeschooled for 25 years. Many people think that homeschooling is about teaching your own children everything. For some parents that may be true. I have found homeshooling to be finding the best class for your child.
ReplyDeleteNo one can do everything in life. It sounds like you have a good handle on saying no and that is good.
Our Creative Writing class goes over letter format, poems, fictional stories, nonfiction, etc. We cover a wide variety of topics and they have to WRITE it out with a paper and pencil. No computers! They do well with a little freedom and encouragement!
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