Disclaimer- This may be an unpopular opinion but I have tried to word what I've been thinking and feeling in a way that won't come off as offensive. If you read what I share and disagree, but remember as a friend of mine shared with me recently...Freedom of speech means everyone is allowed to share their opinion without being lashed against....or something like that.. That being said. Enjoy :
Dear world,
I am grateful to live in a progressive time where anyone can vote and go to college and all the other opportunities in the pursuit of happiness. As no one is a stranger to the big push for equal rights for women aka feminism...I'd like to petition the world to see to the encouragement of an almost archaic but crucial missing element of feminism...namely...being feminine. The woman who wants to be graceful and make a house a home and raise a family...all be it the most difficult part of the whole pie....have the class of Audrey Hepburn, the skills of June cleaver, and the influence of Eleanor Roosevelt.
It seems we get the pressure of knowing how to be June cleaver and bashed for wanting to be June cleaver or told we're oppressed if we are June cleaver. What's not heart warming about being able to make a home a comfortable place to be or being able to prepare a yummy dinner.
I'm fine with teaching girls to go after their dreams of education and career and being what they want to be...but what if they want to be a home maker and mother. Why can't we be well rounded in both teaching both options?
If you Google homemaking you find very little. If you pinterest home making you'll find even less. If you pinterest homemaking skills to teach kids...haha that's a good one. But in reality home making skills are what everyone is trying to hack.
Cleaning hacks
Food hacks
Grocery shopping and couponing
Upcycling clothing and thrift stuff
Storage hacks...it goes on and on without actually owning up to what it is.
I taught high school for two years and every kid wants to know how you're going to use what you learn in the real world. Home making skills are the most crucial but the most made fun of...
I taught a 19 year old young man once on my mission that didn't know how to boil water. It scared him. He couldn't cook at all. That's a basic skill. Something is terribly wrong with that. On the other hand I have a good friend whose teenage son can make bread and cross stitch. Both for hobby and helpful as he comes from a family of 7 boys.
Cooking, cleaning, laundry, directions, healthy meals and bargains, sewing, gardening, teaching potty training and reading and manners, decorating, discipline, morals and religion, and as I'm a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints - maintaining a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and, this goes for anyone, knowing how to weather through the storms of life without throwing a tantrum as an adult. Emotional independence for your kids.
I wish instead of hitting so hard on test scores schools hit harder on how to live independently and contribute to society. They used to teach that in schools...now look at what's happened...
When I was in activity days we learned things like phone etiquette, how to make bread sticks, sew simple things.
In Young Womens I learned about faith, my divine nature, my individual worth, how to learn, how to be accountable for my choices, serve, and be honest with myself and others. At girls camp I learned silly songs that I now sing with my daughter. I learned hair tricks which I do on my daughter. I learned creative skits with simple moves that I teach to my daughter. It was silly back then...but I still use those today as a mom.
My grandma Clarke taught us how to make bread, porcelain dolls, sew, craft and clean. She also commented once on how unruly my hair looked and from that time forward I always made sure my hair was combed and neat when I'd see her and I'd point it out and she'd agree with me.
She was also a heart warming hostess and to this day everyone loves going to her house even though she's gone now.
My mother in law is an incredible hostess often eating last and making sure everyone is taken care of first. She dresses like Jackie Kennedy but is kind and spunky like Marjorie pay hinckley. Her decorating is always festive without being gaudy and often using the dollar store.
My sister learned how to really sew from our grandpa Clarke and grandma Margaret. Has learned how to cook healthy meals and spend little. She also knows how to raise kids without blowing get top and doing fun things but teaching them to be independent and creative.
My mom is a music fanatic and huge on getting an education. She taught responsibility through chores and not giving up. She also taught going out of your way to serve..often to the most prickly of characters.
Long story short, I want girls to be able to choose going corporate or going homemaker and know how to do both. And the world being supportive of either decision.
I whole-heartedly agree with the idea that with out the home making career, all other careers wouldn't exist because the mom shapes her kids.
I was super confident when getting a job. I can ace any interview. I wish more emphasis would have been placed on how to ace the home. Thank heaven for the programs and teachings of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. It is my back bone.
I don't downplay the importance and amazingness of women having more secular opportunities. However, I want the home classes celebrated as well.
