Making Homemaking More Meaningful
My dear friend and sister in Islam, Shannen, who also runs a website, was kind enough to share her tips on homemaking with us. She always has so many great tips, so be sure to check out her website at middlewaymom.com where she’s been blogging for years.
Making Homemaking More Meaningful By Sr. Shannen
Last year was tough for me as a housewife and stay-at-home mom. So often, it felt like my children would orbit me with chaos instead of the beautiful illustration of swimming planets, as Allah describes in the Quran.
Wherever I stepped, wherever I went, there they were, in want and need of something from me.
Last year was tough. With my 4th child born in January, things started out smoothly, but with a 4 year old and 2 year old still needing a lot of attention, things built up quickly. The logistics of life with three little ones and a teenager that couldn't yet drive, wore me down, but you know what wore me down even more? My attitude.
The idea that I should be doing more than “just being a mom.” That making a home for my kids and husband wasn't enough to satisfy my personal aspirations.
The idea that I gave up my career and no one really saw what a sacrifice that was, in order to focus my attention on my family.
Toward the end of the year, and especially with the coming of the new year, I decided I needed to change my perspective.
1. Attitude
I didn't give up my career in the technology field; instead, I just changed careers. It's no different than choosing to move into the health science field, or the teaching field. I am now working on my career in the homemaking field.
Let me take a moment to recognize all the women out there who are homemakers while juggling life as students, full-time employees, or the like.
You are amazing! What you do is special in its own right.
My focus here is on women who are solely focusing their efforts on homemaking, which gets far less praise in our society and culture.
One book that really helped me in my mental shift toward appreciating my career as a homemaker is Journey of a Muslimah Homemaker: Spirituality in Homemaking by the author, Ameera Rahim. Her air of thankfulness to have a family to care for is infectious, and has helped me see the beauty in our every day work. Another breath of fresh air for homemakers in the midst of the hustle of life is Gift From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I wish they handed out this book to each mother on their child's second birthday, it's that good!
2. Education
Another step in changing my attitude toward being a career homemaker is educating myself on the best ways to use my gifts from Allah.
Sometimes that means learning more about child psychology, brain development, and positive discipline. Other times it's learning how to Make Things From Scratch by Alana Chernila, like mayonnaise (super easy, by the way), ketchup, lotion, and Play Doh.
Both helped me feel that I have knowledge about my career as a homemaker and that any random person off the street could not fill my shoes.
If someone were to take my place, I would have things to teach them, and, inshallah, I have valuable skills and information to pass down to the next generation.
3. Art
I appreciate when I can gain some intellectual stimulation by learning new things that will improve my homemaking, but part of this career path is turning homemaking into an art as well.
Making the house a home, finding recipes that my family loves, and tweaking them to be my own, are all part of that journey.
I'm slowly learning how to decorate my home for more than just functionality. Our current home is the only one I've ever planned to live in for more than a few years. Therefore, it's the first time I've wanted to customize it and make it both beautiful and highly functional, inshallah.
Picking colors overwhelms me, and I always second guess whether things actually match. Though little by little, I'm gaining confidence in turning our home into something special.
I'm just in the beginning stages of this new attitude and the journey that comes with it. I hope to join hands with others who find value in choosing homemaking as a career as well.
With homeschooling planned for my little ones, I have nearly 20 years ahead of me, inshallah. I better make the best of it.
Written by Sr. Shannen and edited by Zakeeya
Salam, I’m Zakeeya!
I believe that making our homes a safe haven for our families, as well as being a wife and mother, brings us great blessings, contentment, and benefits to society as a whole. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to assisting Muslimas in finding tranquility in their roles, taking better care of themselves, and achieving inner peace. Our journey in this world is not an easy one, but I pray the tools and guidance I offer will help you face life's challenges with more gratitude and mindfulness. Join me as I share wifehood, motherhood, homemaking, and lifestyle solutions that make life more fulfilling for you as a woman! Read more about me here.
