Although there are many facets of homemaking, there are eight basic categories that seem to take priority. Why call them facets? Because the truth of the matter is a homemaker really should be labeled as one of the most precious gems – a diamond.
A facet on a diamond is a flat surface that is designed to allow light to enter the stone and reflect back. It is this combination that allows the diamond to sparkle. Today’s homemaker resembles that precious gem with his or her multiple ‘facets’. Each facet is considered one of the many skills they have.
The Eight Main Facets of Today’s Homemaker
Although today’s homemaker does more than can easily be listed, there are eight main areas of focus that make up that beautiful gem.
Facets of Homemaking # 1 – The Home
When we think of a ‘homemaker’, the first thing that comes to mind is cleaning the house, and you would be right. Today’s homemakers take pride in their homes. But they also don’t want to eat, sleep and dream cleaning, so they diligently work on a cleaning schedule.
In their skills toolbox, they find ways to reduce the amount of time they clean through organizing, decluttering, and in some cases, minimizing. Today’s homemaker also knows how to delegate chores, in part to reduce the time spent cleaning, and in part to teach their children how to be healthy, happy, productive adults.
Facets of Homemaking #2 – Meal Planning
In our house, one of the most time-consuming things we do is play the ‘What’s for Dinner?’ game. It is frustrating to both of us, and on those days, we usually end up fixing a sandwich, which neither of us wanted in the first place.
We finally put that age-old game back in its box and tossed it out with the garbage. Instead, we have a weekly meal plan hanging on the refrigerator. Now, not only do we know what we are having for dinner, we also know in advance what to take out of the freezer, or what to add to the grocery list.
Meal planning is one of the great organizational skills of a homemaker. Meal plans allow her to use up ingredients she already has and add those that she doesn’t to a grocery list. Having a meal plan takes the guess work out of mealtime, and helps the homemaker prepare healthy, frugal meals for her family.
Facets of Homemaking # 3 – Baking & Cooking
Baking and cooking may seem similar, but they are actually two different things. Cooking is the overall concept of preparing food for consumption. Baking is one of the ways you can cook, and requires the indirect, dry heat that comes from the oven.
You don’t have to be a professional chef or a gourmet cook to prepare healthy delicious meals for your family. In fact, most recipes are rather simple to prepare. If you have never cooked anything before, try to find a recipe with fewer ingredients and steps.
Today’s Homemaker quickly learns the basics of cooking and uses these skills to prepare healthy meals for their family.
Facets of Homemaking # 4 – Finances
No matter who you are or where you live, one of the basic facets of homemaking has to be understanding your finances. There is nothing worse than having your electricity turned off because the bill got lost, or having overdraft fees because you weren’t aware of a steadily dropping bank balance.
Today’s homemaker takes the initiative to gain control of their finances quickly, and keeps control through strong management skills, frugal living, and knowing the difference between ‘need’ and ‘want’.
Facets of Homemaking # 5 – Gardening
When you think of ‘homemaking’, many people only imagine activities within the walls of the house itself. But in reality, one of the facets of homemaking extends outside the back door, as well. Most homemakers have a garden close to the proximity of her kitchen. This is where she often goes to get the vegetables, herbs and fruit to prepare the freshest meals possible.
In some cases, a homemaker may also have livestock. Having smaller animals such as chickens or rabbits also helps to put food on the table. Medium and larger sized animals, such as cows and goats provide meat and milk, and often a homemaker will take it a step further and make her own cheese, butter, and buttermilk.
Facets of Homemaking #6- Canning & Preserving
A homemaker with a larger garden can’t use everything in the garden at one time. So she often chooses to can and preserve everything her family cannot eat right away.
By doing this, she not only has ready-made meals and ingredients for winter meals, but she also saves money in the long run by having commonly used items in her pantry. She also knows that anything she does can will taste so much better, and be healthier as well, than anything she purchases at the grocery store.
Facets of Homemaking # 7 – General Maintenance & Repairs
If we are focusing on our home, we strive to keep it in top working condition. If we are focusing on our finances, we want to make sure our homes stay in good shape without overspending on repairs.
Many homemakers today are skilled at doing general maintenance, like changing out light bulbs, cleaning filters, and sewing on buttons or repairing a seam.
But some homemakers have learned other skills, including minor plumbing and electrical skills, as well as those requiring hammers, screwdrivers and power tools.
By having these skills, you can both maintain your home, as well as staying on track with your budget!
Facets of Homemaking # 8- Handmade
Creating items by hand is a strong skill of most homemakers. It can consist of mending or making clothing, darning, or creating items for the home or gifts.
No matter what the reason, most homemakers have at least basic sewing skills. Many do other types of handcrafts, also. Whether it be fiber arts through knitting, crochet, weaving or spinning; painting, mosaic, welding or woodwork, a homemaker knows the value of learning to work with her hands.
Creating handmade items provides an outlet for her creative nature, as well as providing useful items to use within her own home – such as pot scrubbers, dish cloths, and embroidered dish towels.
The Gem of a Homemaker
These are just eight of the facets that the gem of homemaking has. In all honesty, I‘m not sure even the Cullinan Diamond, at 1.33 pounds, was large enough to hold all the facets of a homemaker. (Well, after it was cut into smaller diamonds, maybe…)
All homemakers don’t have the exact same set of skills, nor do they do things exactly the same way. But what all homemakers do have, is pride in their homes and their skills. And it is through that pride that the sparkle is created through the facets of homemaking.
Ready to Read More About the Facets of Homemaking?
They are ready and waiting for you!
Facet # 1 – How to Clean Your Home
Facet # 2 – Make Planning Meals Easy with 5 Simple Tips
Facet # 3 – How to Have and Love a User-Friendly Kitchen
Facet # 4 – Helpful Tips for Financial and Frugal Living
Facet # 5 – Easily Extend Your Home to the Garden
Facet # 6 – 7 Smart Reasons You Need to Can Your Own Food
Facet # 7 – General Maintenance & Repair Tips for your Home
Facet # 8 – Embrace & Enjoy the Handmade Life
Love your posts Julie. Although this one left me breathless and worn out remembering what our responsibilities were and some still are. Wouldn’t change a thing. Will see the entire family for first time in 18 months, this weekend. I’ll give them a howdy from you. Love to Y’ALL. See I remember?
Thank you, Janet! Homemaking is a lot of work, but it is also a blessing! Please hug everyone for me – and have fun! Love to all of you as well!