A peek inside this post: Are you looking for ways to start embracing homemaking in today’s world? It’s a big challenge to commit to biblical homemaking when society is telling women that we should want more, be more, do more. That raising our children and taking care of our homes is somehow pitiable. We are here to tell you that there is honor in these roles. Let’s discuss modern homemaking for Christian women and how we can throw off the shackles of society’s perceptions and start living in a way that God has called us to!
This great purpose, this twenty-four hours a day job, this beautiful mess I live in each day…Modern Homemaking is about so much more than meets the eye.
I feel like our society has done an inadequate job at preparing us for this task.
Since the 1960’s our American society has told women to go off to college, be independent, figure out what inspires you, chase your dreams, get a great job, and acquire all the wonderful things you can dream of.
We were told to establish ourselves in any way that we will be fulfilled. Make sure you get plenty of “me time,” go out with your friends, have lots of great hobbies.
My Story
So I went off to business school and lived an independent life full of friends. I did a little studying and had lots of good times. It was always in the back of my head that I wanted to be a stay at home mom someday. I thought I’d love every minute of it.
What could be better than spending days with my kids? I wanted to teach them, guide them, and take care of my home and husband.
Then I graduated, started working, and got married while still keeping this lifestyle of independent living.
Even though married life changed many things in my life, it still allowed me to make my own choices with my free time. I spent time with friends, worked out whenever I wanted to, could stop by a store easily, or go away for a weekend.
There’s nothing that can prepare you for the next phase of life besides diving right in…babies!
My First Step into Modern Homemaking
I had my first child eight and a half years ago and became a stay at home mom. She was wonderful and I felt incredibly blessed!
I floated through the first 6 months to a year just trying to figure her out. I was consumed with her in every way…nursing, diapers, planning everything around naps and sleep, wondering if she had gas or was getting new teeth.
Sure, there were challenges as we moved back to our hometown area near family with our first little one. It was an adjustment to “stay home,” but I was in the honeymoon phase and enjoyed it very much. I only had her to worry about!
Outnumbered
Then came baby number two. He was equally as wonderful but all of a sudden, I was outnumbered.
My husband is a teacher and coach, so that keeps him quite busy. I couldn’t run to the store easily anymore, couldn’t run off to visit with a friend, definitely couldn’t go shopping.
We were constantly restricted by nursing and naps. My baby would nap in the morning and afternoon and my two year old would nap in between.
It was incredibly difficult to adjust to this new, home bound reality.
>> Read: Pep Talk for Mamas Going Through a Hard Season in Parenting
Like I said, our society has taught us women to be independent and fulfilled selfishly. This mindset led me to a lack of contentment in my heart. Instead of staying in this mindset, I wanted to find contentment in the simplicity of the phase I was and am in.
Would I Ever Be Good at Biblical Homemaking?
The idea of what I call Modern Homemaking for Christian moms hadn’t sunk in. I didn’t realize how selfish I was. And I had no idea where to even start in embracing homemaking in today’s world.
I’m curious to know how many other women struggled to find the balance like I did. The balance between knowing who I am (or at least who I was for so long) and becoming stay at home mommy all.the.time.
The next few years were challenging. I was often overwhelmed with kids’ needs, making dinners, keeping up with housework (which I never was fully able to!).
>> For more encouragement, read: Dear Exhausted Mom of Toddler: Words You Need to Hear– You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed in this season of life.
I didn’t have a good knowledge base for how to do this biblical homemaking job that I yearned for all my life.
It took me about four or five years after having my first child to adjust my heart and my mind to finding the contentment I had been searching for.
What I’ve Learned: Embracing Homemaking in Today’s World
Finding contentment in my heart took many challenging discussions with my husband.
I would often blame him for these expectations he could not meet or fulfill in me. He didn’t force me into this role. But I felt like, because he worked outside of the home, he could still feel “normal.” He could still do the things he used to do before we had kids. He couldn’t understand the struggle I was having adjusting to my loss of independence.
Every time we have a bad attitude about something in our lives, isn’t it a reflection of our hearts? Shouldn’t we put these problems before God and ask Him to help us see it with His eyes?
>>Read How to Get Over Yourself and Start Honoring God in Your Homemaking
What I ultimately had to do was take these feelings to Jesus. I had to ask Him how He could be enough for me and change my attitude toward this stage of life I was in, and to meet me in this journey as I tried embracing homemaking.
Suzanne, Just Homemaking
I also learned over the years more about managing a home. Wow it takes a lot of work to care for a family!
And since we’re on one income it takes a lot of homemade everything and creativity to change the way you used to live.
When you begin taking care of a home and your family, learn from others who have spent years managing a household. There are incredible resources on saving money, meal planning, cleaning, and scheduling. Here are a few helpful posts from us here at Just Homemaking:
- How to be Frugal with Groceries
- Budget for Homemakers
- How to be an Efficient Homemaker
- Motivation for Cleaning House When You Just Can’t Even
- The Top Homemaking Skills You Still Need (even though they’re old-fashioned)
- Get Your Shenanigans Together with a Simple Family Command Center
- How Batching the Housework Completely Transformed My Homemaking
Homemaking 101 is really about mental well-being and creating a home that thrives. It’s about organizing your life to make the most of your time with your husband and kids, while keeping up on tasks around the home and investing in others outside of the home.
It’s about finding peace in your heart as a homemaker by giving your heart over to Jesus each day. Ask Him to give you contentment in whatever life brings.
Suzanne, Just Homemaking
This takes many years to find the right balance, because everyone is different. Learn from others and then figure out what’s best for you!
5 Tips: Modern Homemaking for Christian Moms
Here are some practical tips to help as you enter into this homemaking phase of life:
1| Find time for prayer and reflection.
Allow your faith to calm you and get you ready for whatever is ahead of you.
>> Read Resting in God’s Grace: A Quick Guide for Moms
2| Live in the moment with your kids.
Enjoy each stage they are in because it really does go fast.
>> Read Seasons of Motherhood and Finding Joy in Each One
3| Don’t blame your husband.
I struggled with my emotions and would often get frustrated with him. What I really needed was a better plan for managing my days and to do less of what made me stressed.
>> Read Being a Good Steward of Time for Homemakers
4| Stay away from comparing yourself with other moms.
We all have a tendency to do this. Try limiting your time on social media and find friends who are uplifting.
>> Read The Thief of Joy
5| Refuel.
I visit with my family and friends often, get in a few workouts each week, and we will occasionally have a date night. What refuels you?
>> Read Soul Care for Women: The Recharge You Need – A Christian woman’s guide to self care
Simple Homemaking Printables
Download these free printables we designed just for you. We hope you find the perfect spot for them in your home, and that you will see them and be encouraged throughout your day. We pray you remember how important your work at home is, and that you find strength each day in walking with Jesus.
Wrapping Up Modern Homemaking
No matter what we’ve been told and what lies we’ve believed, God knew what he was doing when he told women to be keepers of the home.
>> Don’t miss Thrive as a Homemaker: a 7-day devotion to help you fall in love with your role
There’s nothing wrong with working outside of the home and using your gifts and talents to do so, whether due to financial necessity or because you feel so led. But also, if what you want out of life is to be a Godly woman who loves and cares for her husband, children, friends, and home, that is a fulfilling life that God finds honorable! Don’t let society tell you otherwise!
How do you find fulfillment in this beautiful mess of Modern Christian Homemaking? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
More Posts You’ll Love:
How to Be a Good Christian Mom Check out these great qualities of Christian Moms and mother on!
Devotion on Selflessness for Homemakers It takes a lot to put the needs of your family before yourself. But when we look at Jesus’ example, we can be encouraged to daily lay our life down for others.
How to be an Efficient Homemaker Read these 11 simple routines to incorporate into your day, and watch your homemaking be transformed!
Christian Homemaking: Intentional Christian Living for Women Have you ever felt confused about what your role as a homemaker entails, or even means, for that matter? Let’s go over what it means together.
Best Items on Amazon for Homemakers You will LOVE these products and wonder where they’ve been all your life!
great article.my hubby is also a teacher and i share those sentiments of always wanting to be a sahm.i worked til my oldest was around 4 and babysitters couldnt handle him. then u realize its so hard. i used to have a lot of excitement in the role but im burned out. i think when ppl started telling me i needed more time for me it actually made me more discontent because it brought awareness that i dont usually get much time alone at all. My oldest has severe autism and hurts himself too, so we lost a lot of help since most ppl didnt know how to manage it. help has picked up now but we still have to deal with the drama of his meltdowns and his puberty makes it so difficult, Were dealing with trying to get him placement in a group home and it takes away from energy needed to take care of my home. but i too suffered blaming hubby, it seemed like he was able to get away ay work and have alone time. i was always with kids 24 7 and cleaning
Thanks for sharing your story! Being a mom always throws us many unique challenges. I pray you’re able to do what’s best for your early teenager and that God would guide you every step of the way.
I really appreciated this article on this particular day and could relate to a lot of it. I believe another major aspect of the issue is how our culture’s style of community has changed so dramatically from what it once was. People are so busy. In the last year I have found myself often praying for and longing for community. Being a homemaker wouldn’t be so lonely if I knew several others who liked to share playdates and chat over coffee. Certain responsibilities around the home wouldn’t feel so overwhelming, or even downright impossible, if older women came to cuddle the babies while I worked once or twice each week. I am looking for opportunities to build relationships and lean on others for support. Maybe I am somewhat overprotective of my kids and missing out on a few opportunities for that reason. But I often realize that the frustrations I am inclined to take out on my husband would often be alleviated by almost anyone who could lend a helping hand – I just don’t know anyone else who will.
Hi Sarah, thanks for your comment. My heart goes out to you in this stage of life, and I hope you can find that community you’re longing for. You’re right though, it IS very difficult to find people who are able and willing to come along side of you because everyone is so busy.
Have you tried getting involved in a church small group? Or a moms group in your town? I’ve found great friendships within those groups.
Praying for you!
I had Just one boy. He was growing up and my dreams to do other things too. When I thougt that I had All my Life planned, I got pregnant, with 42 yo!!! Si, I had to face a new Life, starting my Middle age, with a new baby and my mother in law living with us.
Now, almost 4 years ago, I still learning how to be a homemaker again. My son is Now 16 year old, my baby girl is almost 4 and I am 46 years old. But… I Know this is thes best for me. God is my Heavenly Father and I have to trust in His path for me… Sorry for my english. I am form Costa Rica and I am studying this languaje that I love.
Hi Zindy, thanks for the message. Your story is beautiful and how wonderful that you’re trusting in God’s plan. It’s amazing what having His perspective can do in our lives! God bless you on your homemaking journey.
Thanks for sharing your perspective! I’ve never enjoyed working a traditional job and actually had to quit when I got hit with a bunch of medical issues that kept me from coming into work consistently. I felt like such a bum at home until I had kids and then felt like I could barely keep up lol. It’s so hard to find a good balance with biblical homemaking and parenting but it’s so worth it!!
Hi Laura, you’re so right. It’s a tough balance for sure, but worth the journey! God bless you as you figure it out.