1950's Housewife

LOC:  Housewife at the Market, 1957.

I love the 1950's. Families lived in charming suburban towns. Moms stayed home. Dads worked. There was often only one car. The children would happily go off to school each day. It was an ideal time.

A 1950's Housewife got up early, got dressed and put on an apron. She made breakfast for the family and kissed them all goodbye.

Then she had the rest of the day to do as she pleased. (smiles). She had modern appliances and some convenience foods that were just coming into fashion. She would probably vacuum, dust, do laundry, and bake a cake. Then sit leisurely in the living room and enjoy a good book.

In the evening, she would prepare a hearty supper. Then everyone would settle down to watch a television program. It was the beginning of a new era.

The common homes in that day included 3 small bedrooms, one bathroom, a small kitchen and a medium sized living room. These were little homes but served the purpose.

It sounds like such a delightful life...  Yet,  I prefer  my life today. I would rather have lots of children, an enormous old house and homeschool. I would rather bake and cook all day and be happy to serve my family. I work much harder than those 1950's housewives, but it is still fun to imagine what life was like for them, back in the old days!

What is your favorite era for housewives?

Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Advice for a Happy Home - Peaceful Living by Rules.

Careful thrift in the Home - Reducing Expenses.

My Mother's Example - Housekeeping All Day.

- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

 

Mrs. White's special book for homemakers: 

 

"Introduction to Home Economics:  Gentle Instruction to Find Joy in Christian Homemaking." 

 

Paperback, 200 pages.

Fighting the Money Seeking Mentality

Library of Congress: Mountain Family in Kentucky, 1940

I've been thinking a lot about material goods. Television is full of nice houses, nice cars, and people spending money on things that seem like necessities. I see people all around me with newer homes, good paying jobs, and cash with which to splurge. I have to shake this all off because that is not my value system.

I crave a spiritual life with less possessions. My permanent home is in heaven. I pour all my energy on my children, my husband, and my family, seeking my reward in the next life.

Do you remember when large families and hard work were the norm? Do you remember the depression era days when neighbors were neighborly and had time to visit, encourage and help each other out?

Why are people choosing to have less children and more possessions? Why doesn't anyone want to stay at home and focus on building up the family? How often does anyone even read their Bible anymore or go to Church?

Somewhere along the line, the American Dream spiraled out of control. It is not about being surrounded by fine things. It is about having a HOME and a FAMILY.

I am going to print out some of these old pictures (like the one above) and imagine all the precious souls being trained to do God's work, who will shun worldly goals.  We mothers need to start spending more joyful time in daily religious duties and making home a godly culture. We need to be the example of being God's servant and fulfilling His calling on our life to our children. We need to stop being distracted by the glitz and glamor of our society.

This week, I am going to pull out all my old Depression-era books and I am going to read and study about the old days. I am going to be inspired by the Old Time Mothers and their godly wisdom. And I am going to wage a war, in my heart, against seeking an abundance of money, which is the ultimate enemy of trust and faith in an omnipotent God.

Blessings
Mrs.White

From the Archives:

Thrift - A New England Winter on a Small Income.

Old Time Encouragement - Retirement Planning for the Poor.

Serving the Family with a good Attitude - The Kitchen is Ready.

  - To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

Find Home-keeping Inspiration, in Mrs.White's book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking.  Paperback, 274 pages.