Welcoming Womanhood: The Need for Homemaking

 

Welcome to another week of Welcoming Womanhood!  Today I'd like to focus a little bit on homemaking.  I've become aware recently that more and more women are using the excuse of  "too busy" to neglect their duties at home pertaining to homemaking.  This is not good.  It took me about 3 years of marriage to get into my homemaking groove, but I will never go back.  In order to feel the Spirit in our homes, we must create a place for the Spirit to be comfortable.  We must use the temple as a guide.  

Here's what the Lord has to say on the matter of homemaking,  "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God..." Doctrine & Covenants 109:8

If we are striving to become like our Father in Heaven, shouldn't our homes mirror His?  Some of you may be wondering exactly what  homemaking includes.  Well, we are so fortunate to have Church leaders who have expouned on this very thing!  Let's read what Sis. Julie B. Beck has to say on the matter.  


"Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world. Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate. Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. Growth happens best in a “house of order,” and women should pattern their homes after the Lord’s house." 

Sisters, how can we accomplish this work if we are too focused on things outside the house?  How will our houses be clean if we allow other pursuits to take our attention away from them?  YES.  We need to be away from our homes at times.  YES. Children do need a few hobbies to be able to cultivate talents.  But when these things take precedence over the home, there is a problem

"NO SUCCESS can compensate for failure in the home." President David O. McKay

I sometimes hear people speaking of work with disgust and extreme loathing.  This saddens me!  What can be more fulfilling, more satisfying, more spiritually necessary than having a house of order?  It is not the accolades of the world that will give us a feeling of self worth, it is good old fashioned HARD WORK.  When you do your best to do the things the Lord has asked you to do, that is when you will feel your best and feel of the love of our Father in Heaven.  

Moving on, ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.  You are the example for the children and other adults in your home.  If you love work, your children will love work and will be willing to help you.  Your children will be more willing to help around the house and your burdens will be lightened.  There are always age appropriate tasks for children to do.  It starts as a baby.  Show them how to put their toys away!  When they are able to put things into baskets, have them help you but the toys in the basket and over the top praise them! (You know how to do that, right?  Clapping, cheering, etc.)  If you start young, the pattern and habit is already in place when they get older!

Sister Flora Benson (wife of President Ezra Taft Benson) counseled the women of the church to, “Radiate a spirit of contentment and joy with homemaking. You teach by example your attitude toward homemaking. Your attitude will say to your daughters, ‘I am only a housewife.’ Or it will convey, ‘Homemaking is the highest, most noble profession to which a woman might aspire.’”

One last thought on your example, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

One word of caution--please make sure that the tasks you give to your children are age appropriate.  While a 9 year old may be able to cook and bake, it may not be the best for your child.  How mature are they?  A three year old can clean up toys, etc., but probably shouldn't be cleaning a bathroom.  A five year old, however, could scrub the sink after your put chemicals in it if you are watching him/her closely and reiterate the need to wash hands after the task is complete.  Make sure the tasks are age appropriate. :)

 So, let's recap, shall we?  We are to pattern our lives (and therefore our homes) after our Father in Heaven.  We need to keep clean, tidy, organized spaces.  If you don't know how to do this--LEARN!  Don't expect your visiting teachers or other sisters in the ward to come and clean your house during LIFE--this should be reserved for times of extreme trial and hardship.  Girls, life isn't easy--but our Heavenly Father doesn't ask us to do impossible things.  He knows we can do it!  Teach your children when they are young to help you in the home, and your burden and theirs will be lightened!


I hope that some of what I've said has helped you to have a firmer resolve to create homes that are havens from the chaos and clutter from the world.  It is not just about your family--it's also about YOU!  YOU will feel better as you magnify your most important calling--wife and mother.  Have a wonderful day! :)