Friday, January 13, 2012

Ideas for A Happy Home

Library of Congress: Robert Carmer Hill house, New Jersey, 1918

 

 

Creating a happy home is a fun job. It takes a lot of work and a cheerful attitude. But we need motivation and ideas to keep it up.

Getting Help from Teens

The past few days, as I've been getting my energy back, I didn't want to take on too much housework. So I asked my boys (14 and 19) to do some of my work. They are sweethearts and are willing to help, but my oldest son is busier. I had to come up with creative ways to motivate him to help me. Here is what I did:

I asked him to take the 7:00 pm shift in the kitchen. This would mean doing dishes and straightening up.  I asked him for help "in reverse," which means I pretended to take his side. This made us both smile.   As the time approached, I said, "I really don't want you to nag me, but I know you want me to do the dishes."  He smiled, but didn't budge. He was working on a project. When it was just about 7, I went to him again and said, "You know? You have been nagging me all day about those dishes. Can't you see I'm busy? I will try to do them in a minute." He smiled again. I walked away. He did the dishes.

Creating the right Atmosphere

Sometimes, watching old episodes of The Brady Bunch, The Waltons, or The Donna Reed show, put me in such a cheerful mood that I want to make my home pleasant and presentable.  Other times, I turn on old gospel music, or some Bing Crosby, and I imagine the 1940's housewives and how they kept their homes happy.   I have trouble cleaning my kitchen unless my lamp is on, or a candle is lit. I need my surroundings to be pretty and cheerful because that affects my mood.

Reverencing Daddy

I do my best to keep things quiet around the house for Mr. White. I also make sure he has his coffee, clean clothes and clean dishes.  I encourage the children to honor their father, by honoring him myself.  Many Dads have a special chair where they can relax.  Home should be the place these men want to come home to.

Careful with Money

We have to strive for a home- centered attitude, rather than a shopping one. The goal is to avoid unnecessary spending and keeping the focus off finances, on a day-to-day basis. Money is certainly important, but it is not the main part of our daily life. We need to think more on spending time with family, reading, keeping busy with hobbies and our chores. 

We also need to keep the bills low, conserve the use of utilities and fuel for the cars.  When we are careful with our money, everyone is much happier at home.

Mother's Attitude

With so many problems facing Mothers, we need to work on having a peaceful attitude. Of course we are going to get upset, and worry about things. If we learn to seriously give things over to the Lord, and not worry about everything, we will have an easier time.

The Daily Fight

To have a happy home is going to take a daily fight.  We will fight bad news, irritating people, messes, accidents and sickness. These fights are in the mind. We fight off the negative, and work on remaining steady through it all, like the hand that does not shake in the midst of trauma.  This takes practice. It sometimes takes a lot of pep talks!  But we must remind ourselves daily that we can have a happy home - if we decide it will happen - no matter what may come!

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Honoring Husbands - Cooking for Mister.

What my son did, when I had a very sad day - Presents to Cheer Me Up!

"Would you like your tea now Mother?" - When my daughter was The Breakfast Hostess.

 I want - An Old Fashioned Home


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Mrs. White's detailed explanation of keeping a financial journal and budget:

 

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.




6 comments:

busymomof10 said...

I liked this post a lot. Yes, it is our job as wives and mothers to do all we can to make our homes peaceful and pleasant for our families. I think creativity helps so much in getting our children to work pleasantly. One time, many years ago, my daughter and I had a daily battle with her math. So, I came up with a creative idea. I did her page of math problems myself, making sure I answered some of the problems wrong. Then, I had her correct my work! :) She LOVED it! Of course, she still had to work each problem, to see if I had done it correctly! ;) Sometimes creativity is a very helpful tool in a mother's tool box! ;)

Just Me said...

Goodness, is this ever true. I, too, enjoy putting on Bing Crosby or Fred Astaire while cleaning. Depression-Era music is so happy!

Thank you for letting me know that I am not alone in struggling.

I hope you feel all better soon!

Grace said...

What a beautiful post! You sound likea wonderful mom and wife. Grace

Anonymous said...

loved this post!! could you email me your address/ i have a little something i want to send to you. agodlyhomemaker at gmail dot com thanks :)

Rose @ Walnut Acre said...

I love this post!

Anonymous said...

Attitude!! You are so right. So much of life is in the attitude with which you live by. If I also set a bad example of attitude for the family...I can ruin the day for them also. I saw that picture that went with this article,..and at about that little girl's age my sister and I both got a Shirley Temple doll just like that for Christmas! I think it was 1957 or 58. :) Sarah