I was raised in a self-cleaning house. The beds were made, the sheets were clean, and dinner would be done at 6:10 pm. My mom didn’t work, so she was able to do it.
As a little girl I balked at picking up my toys. I felt that homemakers subjugated themselves and sacrificed a potentially rewarding career for chasing dirt. I saw the role of homemaker not to be a choice but as a gender-linked, unwanted requirement and not for me.
It seemed my escape from being a housemaid was to work, go to college, and get a few degrees. I married, had a child, got divorced, and found myself with a child more rebellious than I could have ever hoped to be. This child taught me that it was not illegal to leave the house on Saturday mornings and go to a movie. I felt guilty, but was so tired from work that I went. I didn’t want her growing up thinking her mother was a refugee from I, Robot. We had fun. We also had some dust.
When she grew up I dated a man who said he was neat and tidy. However, he turned out to be tight and needy. I was wired from working long hours, trying to maintain my own home, and trying to help him with his. I was exhausted and unable to do it all.
Now I am retired. I get enough sleep for the first time in my life, and I can actually choose to spend some cleaning time without giving up a life or feeling like a resident maid. I feel a balance.
2 comments:
I'm a stay at home Mom--I hope to reach that point someday too...
I retired about five years ago but my wife, who is 13 years my junior still works so in addition to handling the outdoor chores (we've got a big garden) , and maintenance chores, I also do the cleaning, shopping, laundry and cooking. I was Chef/prop. of my own restaurants so cooking is easy. But I don't do windows!
Post a Comment