A peek inside this post: Are you dreaming of life as a full-time homemaker? Becoming a homemaker is possible with planning and perseverance. Read our 3 steps on how to become a homemaker to make your dream a reality. Begin making changes to create the life you’ve been called to.
Do you wish you could be a full-time homemaker, but think it’s not attainable?
Do you crave a simpler life with fewer places to run and more time at home with the ones you love most?
Are you looking to live life more fully, intentionally, and purposefully?
We, at Just Homemaking, know that becoming a full-time homemaker actually IS attainable, but sacrifices will have to be made. Sometimes it’s a priority and expectation shift, or a willingness to change up your current lifestyle.
I am a homemaker and stay at home mom of 11 years and would love to spill my guts about how you can make it work for your family, too!
Side Note: Just Homemaking also values moms who work full-time and part-time, and we would not say that every mom is called to life as a full-time homemaker. We pray that God is leading the steps in your life, whatever that looks like.
So You Want to Be a Homemaker?
As Christian moms we know that God has given us a family for a reason. One way to make them a top priority in our lives is serving them through homemaking.
Life with kids can be SO busy. Moms wear a million hats each day and are constantly thinking about all the things they need and want to do for their family.
To keep up on cleaning, food prep, laundry, organizing, planning for events, bookbags, school activities, being a present wife… it all takes time, effort, and love. Maybe God is calling you out of the busyness of a work life, into a life focused on homemaking.
Choosing to prioritize the needs of your family, serving others, and filling up your own soul are paramount ideals in The Bible. These are great, purposeful, fulfilling ways to spend your life!
What is it really like to be a homemaker?
Here are some fun descriptions, written by contributors to Just Homemaking, of what it means to be a homemaker in today’s world:
“I sometimes feel like a spider. I spin my web, fixing it up, making repairs when needed. Waiting at the center to see what lands. But instead of injecting venom, as the spider does, I try my best to inject love, encouragement, and wisdom. With all the strength and delicacy of a spider’s silk.”
“It’s like being one of the tech persons in an award winning movie. So many behind the scenes things taking place that most people don’t see. Giving your all, trusting the process, and not seeing it all come together until much later.”
“Dying to self completely. God slowly working that out of you. Coming out on the other side in tune with others’ needs and fully equipped to handle anything.”
“The truth about being a homemaker is that you spend your life existing in multiple places and stages simultaneously. It’s joy, laughs, hugs, snuggles, amazement, and your heart is bursting for them. It’s also frustration, fear, tears, fevers, boogers (lots of boogers), discipline, repeating yourself and your heart breaking because of them.”
“It is a servant lifestyle, where everyday you put others’ needs before your own. You’re paid back in a simpler life, some quiet downtime, and strong relationships with the ones who matter most to you. Staying home allows you to invest in your children, your marriage, and your faith in a deeper way, if you choose to live each day with intention.”
>> Read I Love Being a Homemaker!
Wondering How to Be a Homemaker, and Whether or Not It’s Doable?
Because our society doesn’t teach young women that this lifestyle is a wonderful option, many women choose a career path. This isn’t a bad choice, if this is what God is calling you to, but some women would like to have the option to be a full-time homemaker. However, they often find that their lifestyle doesn’t allow for this.
>> Read Modern Homemaking for Christian Moms in Today’s World
It’s also challenging to give up your independent work life and the skills you’ve worked hard to acquire.
Being home full time can be a big adjustment.
It’s tough to give up that second income opportunity. Living on less means less “fun” shopping, not being able to do all the activities, not always being able to buy new. Meals and holidays will probably have to be simpler.
But is that necessarily a bad thing? Is scaling back really the worst thing in the world?
Even though there are many challenges to becoming a homemaker, I promise you, if you set your mind to it, and pour your heart into creating a home through homemaking, then you will grow to love this life. The servant’s heart to care for others is often overlooked in our society today. At Just Homemaking, we believe it’s an amazing privilege to have this role of homemaker.
How to Become a Homemaker in 3 Attainable Steps
With intentionality and determination, you can become a homemaker, too. Each woman’s position in life is different, but here are some simple steps to help you head in the right direction.
1. Determine Your Wants & Needs
First things first: determine what you want in your life as a homemaker.
As Christians, we always want to pray and give our plans to the Lord. What is He calling you to? What has He gifted you in? No matter how plans change throughout your life, we are to lay our time and talents at His feet, to be used for His glory.
So when you think about your desires, why do you want to be a full-time homemaker? What do you want out of this life? What are your goals? How will you help your family and others?
Talk to your husband about what he wants and needs from having you in this role. Include his thoughts in your planning everyday.
Write down a list of the most important things you would want to do as a full-time homemaker.
Your role will likely include household tasks like meal planning, cleaning, and laundry. But also think about things that your soul desires like spending more time with your kids, serving others, using your creativity, learning new things, and having downtime.
This is also the step where you can dream about your future goals. As a homemaker, what do you want life to look like in 20 years? What are your goals with your kids, your husband, and the life you’d like to build?
2. Make a Financial Plan
Now that you’ve written down your goals and desires for the future…
The most obvious question a working mom would have is, how can I afford to be a stay at home mom?
To make this happen, you can either live on your husband’s income alone, or you can find a way to make money from home to supplement your lack of two full incomes.
Here are some ways you can cut back to afford living on only your husband’s income:
Downsize your home. If your mortgage will never allow you to become a full time homemaker, consider selling and buying something that fits your family and will give you the life you want, but isn’t more than you need.
Don’t buy new vehicles. Find family vehicles that are reliable and will last many years. Try to save up to pay for this vehicle in full to avoid having car payments, or, if you have a car loan, pay it off as quickly as possible. Hundreds of dollars in car payments each month takes a huge toll on a budget.
Plan grocery spending. Figure out a system that works for your family to stick to a grocery budget. It helps save money to go once a week, every other week, or even once a month for groceries. You don’t have as many opportunities to buy unnecessary items and it helps you to plan ahead.
>> Read How to be Frugal With Groceries: Tips for Homemakers on a Budget
Shop less. Get off of Amazon and quit shopping as soon as you think you need/want something. Make a list of items you need, and if you still need them a month later, then find room in your budget for the item.
Plan ahead. People spend so much money by not planning ahead. If you’re going to be out for lunchtime, pack sandwiches in a cooler so you don’t have to spend $30+ out to eat. This saves a ton! Splurge on eating out once in a while… when it’s planned and you can enjoy it. My husband and I love having dinner out together, but since it’s not often, we savor it.
>> Planning ahead is one of our Top Homemaking Skills You Still Need. See what the other nine are!
Plan ahead on gifts. Shop all year for deals, then store them for Christmas or birthdays. This saves lots and relieves the stress of having to run to the store to find something at the last minute.
Think ahead on big purchases and you’ll be in control of your money rather than it controlling your choices. Check out Dave Ramsey’s site for more ways to get in control of your spending.
Look for opportunities to buy second hand or share with a friend. You can save big money by buying clothes and many other items from Facebook Marketplace or thrift stores. I have a lot of clothes given to my kids from family. You could swap kids’ clothes with a friend so you both save.
Check your utility bills to make sure you’re getting the best price. I like to call all my utility companies once a year to see if there are any special offers, discounts, or new ways to save on these big monthly costs.
Revisit your unnecessary expenses. Do you have monthly bills for services that aren’t necessities? Cancel them. Things like cable, music subscriptions… If you miss them later, you can see if there’s room in your budget to add them back in.
At-home income opportunities for moms:
There are many at-home jobs homemakers can fit into their schedules. You may require the extra income, or sometimes it’s just good for the mom’s soul to have something of her own. Check out some great ideas from our fellow homemaker friends at these links:
The Best Work-at-Home Jobs for Moms from The Chicken Scratch Diaries
9 Flexible Work-at-home Jobs for Homeschool Moms from This Simple Balance.
I have been a homemaker for over eleven years now, and it is a world of difference in our family’s finances since we first made this choice. Early on, I tried out many odd jobs that I could do with my kids at home. Now, I’ve figured out how to balance my favorite jobs while keeping time for being an intentional homemaker.
Once you’ve lived with this new homemaker lifestyle for some time, you’ll feel more freedom with your finances. It does get easier the longer you’re a full-time homemaker if you’re prudent with budgeting and planning as you go.
Download our Budget for Homemakers spreadsheet to customize your own financial plan to achieve your goals. Also learn why everyone needs a family budget!
3. Prepare Your Heart and Mind
In order to thrive as a homemaker, you must change your mindset from what it was while you were working. As you read in the “What it’s really like to be a homemaker” section, staying home isn’t for the faint of heart.
The reality is: your life is no longer your own. You give up your independent life to a new life that is focused on serving others. This also describes anyone entering into motherhood, but it’s amplified if you choose homemaking full-time.
>> Read Devotion on Selflessness for Homemakers
Oftentimes, moms lose their past self and don’t know how to find time for doing the things they love. This takes some effort to make time dedicated to filling your heart.
I struggled with this in my first years staying home with kids. I felt like I had no time for myself, we were just getting by financially, and I didn’t feel like I was doing a great job taking care of my home. It took me many years to find a good balance, where I was able to feel good in this homemaking role that I chose.
It’s a big mental shift to stay home full time, so think through what you want to do with your time, and do those things intentionally. Read Being a Good Steward of Time for Homemakers for help in this area!
Prepare your heart for this new role by focusing on the big goals you’d like to achieve. Prepare your mind to become a homemaker by knowing it’s not always going to be easy adjusting to this role, but that it will be worth it down the road.
Here are a few Bible verses to help you focus on your new calling.
Bible Verses for Homemakers
Thank God each day for the blessings and provisions He give you.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5
Pray that God will equip your heart and mind as you’re focused on His plan for your life.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3
Ask God to refine you for His glory.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26
Give God all your worries, and instead, find peace in knowing Him.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Now You’re Closer to Becoming a Homemaker!
Now you know what it takes to become a homemaker. Is this the life for you? Start on your journey today, and make your dream of being a homemaker a reality!
Determine your wants and needs, make your financial plan, and most of all, prepare your heart and mind in Christ for this new life.
We wish you all the best as you pursue what’s best for you (and what God is putting on your heart), your family, and others in your life.
Read Also:
Christian Homemaking: Intentional Christian Living for Women
How to be an Efficient Homemaker: 11 Simple Routines
How to Get Over Yourself and Start Honoring God in Your Homemaking
How Batching the Housework Completely Transformed My Homemaking
