Thursday, May 19, 2011

When Mother is Productive

Woman Hanging the Laundry Out to Dry




Homemakers have such great opportunity to create their own work. They can keep busy with many projects and chores. I would rather make the extra effort to hang clothes on the line, rather than putting them in the dryer. I love the work and it keeps me productive.

I want my children to see me busy and happy. I want them to love the idea of working and find it satisfying.

It would be so easy for me to settle into a chair and spend all my time reading.  Yes, the house would suffer, and I would get plenty of rest, but this is not a good example to my children.

I have noticed that if I am busy creating a sewing project, or decorating, or planning an adventure, the children seem to find plenty of their own projects. We become a productive family. No one is bored. Everyone is inventive.

We go to each other with our latest ideas with great eagerness and excitement.  We are also available to each other as we work. There is time to chat while I sew. There is time to visit while the children draw or make a go-cart. We may even come up with ideas to earn some money from home. This creates an entrepreneurial spirit. It creates excitement!

I want my children to remember me busy and happy. I want them to know that "Mother can do just about anything I need her to!"  I love that my grown children still call me for advice or to help them with an idea.  They like to see that I have my own talents and abilities. Daily, I must cultivate those gifts.

Blessings
Mrs. White



A peaceful marriage - The Good Wife.

Our difficult economy - Financial Survival in Hard Times.

Precious godly thinking - What Sundays Used to Mean to Housewives.



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10 comments:

Heather Mattern said...

Beautiful and inspiring post.

Jennifer Hoots said...

I agree! Just this week, I became engrossed in Stepping Heavenward and admit that I read it in one sitting! The house and my children became a intrusion to me. I am sorry to say. However, I learned a great deal both good and bad about myself. Now I am going to read it again and do your lovely study. Thank you!

Unknown said...

Words I so need to hear this morning! Thanks for the inspiration!

Stacielynn said...

So inspiring! As a housewife it is so tempting sometimes to do exactly what you mentioned ( I also am a big fan of a mug of tea and a wonderful book ) and this is just what I needed to remind me of all the things I need to be doing instead.

Rocky Mountain Homemaker said...

I had a lot of sick days when my daughter was young. I was so pleased that she mentioned that our riding our bikes together was one of her favorite childhood memories. I had feared she would think of me on the couch instead! Have a blessed day, dear.....Denise

Finding Joy said...

I like to be busy, but I also enjoy reading and that love of reading has spread to my sons, who also love to read. So sitting a doing something like reading is ok (perhaps not all day) as it becomes something children like to copy.

I don't think mothers need to fill their day with business for the sake of it, I would run of things to do pretty quickly. Quiet times are also good.

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful thought. Our daughter recently had a day free from work and tried to relax on the sofa...she said she would have to go spend her days off up in her room if she wanted to goof off because we are always so busy doing things she can't relax!

Debbie said...

What I like about this post is the idea of not indulging in "me time", which so many women have bought into. Self indulgence is just made of "self" and it's ok once in a while, but when we start to put that above all else, we become selfish.
I love the reminder to include the kids in projects and encourage them to start their own, as well.

Thanks for always taking us back to the basics. It's refreshing:)

Jessica at Me Sew Crazy said...

This is really very true, well written. Good post!

LocalFunForKids said...

That is so interesting. I love your writing style too ; )