Advice on wanting to be a better homemaker.?

Question

I desperately want to be a better homemaker, but without having a mother/father that taught me the basics it's been a struggle. (To clarify, I have parents they just weren't home-orientated.) I taught myself how to cook, but I find myself lacking in other areas. My husband and I are trying to have children and I want them to have a comfortable home to grow-up in and be proud of. My question is what resources can you suggest to help me along? Do you have any advice for this wanna-be susie-homemaker? Thanks in advance for all your help!

Thanks guys for all your help so far! I just wanted to clarify I'm not trying to be June Cleaver or anything like that. I don't have unattainable expectations to be the next Martha Stewart. I just want to go from zero skills to having a "comfortable" not immaculate home. (And to the person who said it's not 1950-something, I don't think it's old fashioned to want to provide your family a happy and productive enviroment to thrive in.) Keep the suggestions coming!

Answer 1

You have already taken the first very important step by wanting to be a good housewife/mom.There really are no set rules to accomplish this it is all a matter of personal preferences.It sound's like you already have good morals and values now you just need to follow through with them.Set some goal's for yourself.I am a mom/housewife and i have my own little schedule that I follow.I have certain day's that i do laundry,dusting,vacumming ect.Dinner time is very important in my house we alway's eat that meal together.And one very important thing to remember to do is take time for yourself every now and then.Being a stay at home mom and housewife is the most important job in the world I wish more women had the option of doing this but,I also understand that in today's time some household's can't survive on just one income so consider yourself very blessed if you are able to be another one of the few of us women that can stay at home.Good luck to you and you will be a great mom/housewife.

Answer 2

I am a mother of 3 and I know how you feel about not having any kind of example to follow! Cooking in the crockpot is real easy on busy days! Try making a schedule for yourself and following it! A home will run much smoother if you have a schedule. Like, laundry on saturday mornings, or bathroom and kitchen cleaning on Mondays.....stuff like that! Don't worry, you will get into the swing of things! Having your family in church also is a very good thing! It may not be for you, but if you believe in God, anything is possible! Do what your parents didn't do! Give your children all the love and affection they need and deserve. Read bedtime stories, this they love and it also helps their reading skills! Have a family night where you don't make any other plans, just watch a movie together, play games, etc.... Doing this early, even when children are babies, establishes a sense of closeness with you and your husband, and then your children will see that! Listen, if you need anymore advice, e-mail me! I will be willing to answer any questions you need!

Answer 3

Go to your local library and find books. Look for "Hints by Heloise". In that section of the library just browse and find what you think will help. Homemaking isn't hard. It's more common sense than anything. It's just washing, dusting, polishing, and straightening. Also on cable there are shows on like "clean house" and "DYI". I think it's admirable that you want so much to make a nice home for family. Ignore the women that tell you otherwise. It may not be the 1950's but, it's still nice that you care about your home and family.

Answer 4

I have been a "susie homemaker" for 11 years. I love taking care of my 4 children and my husband. At times, I do get a feel a little overwhelmed with the housework, dusting, cooking, laundry, taking kids to school, and to any extracirrular activitites they have. My husband works and I feel the need to show him with respect with the upkeep of the house and having a hot meal when he comes home from work. It is okay to want to be this person, but don't forget about yourself. I have lost any time for myself because I want to keep me family happy. But, thats okay in my eyes because that is just who I am. If you are this type of person, then the advice I have for you is to start small, take your time and it will come naturally with time.

Answer 5

Take it one day at a time and start by keeping a clean and neat home .... Surprise your husband with a nice meal and doing nice things for him like laundry and making him a cup of coffee before he goes to work in the morning or packing him a lunch... Home is what you make it to be.... You may also want to talk to some of your married friends and ask them for help and ideas as well.... I am here if you need to talk... Hope this helps some.

Answer 6

relax. take a deep breath.

Now first I would talk with your husband and see what his parents taught him. If they left the house work to the girls then you are going to have to go elsewhere. However, keeping house is easy. Create a mental or paper schedule of cleaning house and what meals you AND your husband will be preparing together.

It is that easy. Don't allow some old fashioned view from leave it to beaver dictate your opinion of yourself as a good spouse or parent.

Answer 7

I'm in the same position. I ordered "Home Comforts - the art and science of keeping house" by Cheryl Mendelson as a Christmas present for myself and it's totally engrossing and brilliantly practical. My husband nearly fainted when I set the table properly for dinner a couple of weeks ago! Best of luck.

Answer 8

properly its all in the type you adult males have it set up??? I constantly do the dishes as quickly me and my hubby get finished ingesting.additionally i attempt to maintain the grimy clothing finished i do a minimum of a load and a million/2 an afternoon to maintain all of them sparkling. Than i positioned mine and his clothing away. verify i wipe the bathing room down regular it is all once I come abode from artwork. an the weekends i do the deep cleansing. vacuum airborne dirt and dust bleach kitchen counters and bleach the tub room that's how we do it around right here yet i do no longer touch something outdoors the two. and each so often my husband will help with dishes and the clothing.

Answer 9

relax....you are putting to much stress on yourself. It's more important to have happy, non-stressed parents than a spotless house. If you really want to learn some new things though go to the library, there are lots of good books on everything from decorating to cooking to cleaning....pretty much anything you'd want to learn.

Answer 10

Just take it one day at a time. Do a little each day. A home is not built in one day, its built in time.