Library of Congress: A farm worker's home, Idaho, 1941. |
We all have our off-days when we don't want to do anything. Why is it that we need motivation to do our housework? I remember telling myself, one early morning when I didn't want to get out of bed, "If Mr. White gave you $500 and said, 'go shopping today and buy anything you want.'" I would promptly get up, with lots of energy. So it has to be a "mood" when we don't feel like being productive at home.
I remember reading one of Erma Bombeck's books and she was talking about this (in the 1960's). She said one housewife treated herself to a cocktail at 9 in the morning just for making the coffee.*
Why do we need incentives? Perhaps because we are surrounded by a culture where few seem to care about homemaking. It is something we have to fight against each day. So if you need to have a cookie as a reward for doing the laundry - go right ahead!
Blessings
Mrs. White
* Edited note: While the way Erma described this was funny, I would never encourage anyone to drink. Please see my "Temperance Post."
From the Archives -
The importance of - The Skilled Housewife.
Do you ever feel like The Kitchen Martyr.
Encouragement and Advice - A New England Winter on a Small Income.
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For old time encouragement in living simply on a limited income, order Mrs. White's book:
"An Old Fashioned Budget: Humble Financial Management for the Christian Housewife"
77 pages, paperback.
8 comments:
Excellent! Yes, I do feel alone at times, but it is SO apart of who I am that I continue on...with incentives and rewards, of course!
since so many of us are battling those extra pounds, maybe using cookies as an incentive is not the very best idea~! ;)
I like to use computer time as my incentive! If I work hard for 45 minutes, I earn 15 minutes of time online to check my email or my favorite blogs (like yours!)! This motivates me quite well and is calorie free! ;)
Excellent reminder that I don't need an incentive to do what God has called me to do.
I try to steer clear of the cookies and cocktails, especially before 9 a.m., but you are so right about incentives, Mrs. White!
I make myself do three or four "un-fun" chores, and then reward myself with a few minutes of reading or sewing for pleasure. Sometimes it works, but other days my "reward time" goes on a little too long and it just enables me to procrastinate. This is how I ended up cleaning the bath tub at 11 o'clock the other night. Maybe I should just give those cocktails a try!
I do not like grocery shopping at all :-( I treat myself to a pint of chocolate milk every time I go grocery shopping :-) Also sometimes when I just drop in for other items than groceries, too. I LOVE chocolate milk <3
But, Mrs. White! I'm already too fat! :) The way I hate housework, I'd weigh a ton in no time rewarding myself with cookies. ;)
But, seriously, I get your point. Sometimes it helps to do my least favorite job of the day first just to get it out of the way. And, then I alternate sitting work with moving work to keep me from getting stuck sitting...in front of the computer...on Pinterest or Facebook or something else fruitless.
Excellent! ;-)
You fooled me on this one! I had to laugh aloud. Thank you for acknowledging that. I do feel that sort of wave of keeping a job that has almost an ancient characteristic.
I love how you receive from your husband. This is so feminine and I have had to train myself to receive graciously from my husband. It truly does lift them up to provide a something or other for their wives.
It truly is lovely to have your blog. May God bless your marriage 100 fold.
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