Y'know, it's only recently that I've come to think of myself as a full-time homemaker. Up until now, I've considered myself a stay-home-Mom, or a caregiver. Lord knows, my home certainly didn't LOOK like it had a full-time homemaker until recently.

Now, however, I do have the time and energy to devote to my home and I really enjoy it. Last spring I replanted two large flower beds, and I have been improving the looks of the front and back yards bit by bit all summer.

I've redecorated our master bedroom, master bath and hall bath. I've helped my kids paint their bedrooms. Now I'm working on reclaiming the family room (long taken over by DD #3) and working on my spare room (vacated when DD#2 got married). I'm scrapbooking, putting our household records in better order, and planning a major garage cleanup when the weather cools off.

I really love my home. More than ever, I think. Since my mom's death, I really do treasure my family gatherings.

Luckily for me, my husband is totally cool with this. He has always urged me to do what I want, whether it was go back to college, work outside the home, work inside the home, write, or whatever. Also, now that our kids are nearly grown, I have the opportunity to travel with him on his business trips. We both enjoy that.

I feel like I've entered a new time in my life and - except for some concerns I mentioned in the 'reclusiveness'thread, I really like being a full-time homemaker. In fact, I really love it.

Dejavu, I've done both, worked outside the home and was a stay at home mom too. I enjoyed both because they both presented themselves to me when I needed them. I love my home as well, it is my sanctuary and I like when I have visits from friends and family. I am happy they feel comfortable in my home and enjoy eating the treats I make for them. I couldn't possibly work outside my home anymore. Although I do go to the office a few times a week to pick up or drop off manuscripts etc...but that is more of a social thing for me now. I bet there are many here that feel as we do.

I've worked outside the home. For the most part I was a stay-at-home mom and enjoyed the opportunity. It gave me the chance to develop my crafty me, but also, my ministry. Now I take care of the clerical for my husband's business as I continue developing my ministry.

I'm always super busy. There's not a moment of "nothing to do". But it keeps life interesting! I thank God for each period of my life and the opportunities and challenges that came with it.

And... yeah, I'm still trying to figure out how to truly BE a full time housekeeper while doing the above .

Any ideas ?

Well Dr. Phil says that a full time wife/mother does the equivalent of two eight hours, full time jobs each day.

I sometimes wonder if there is such a thing anymore as a true full time homemaker?

Since I no longer work outside the home, I consider myself a true homemaker/housewife. I do it all around my home, inside and out.....everything from cooking and cleaning to lawn mowing, car and house washing, paying bills, grocery shopping, feeding and brushing the pets, etc. All my husband has to do is come home from work and belly up to the supper table for a home-cooked meal. He does the maintenance and repairs if there is any to be done, but I am the chief caretaker of our home.

I am amazed to find this thread. I apparently belong to a very secret society. lol I have worked full time since the age of 15. Full time night nursing eventually became a way for my husband and I to raise our son without outside help.

When my son was almost grown, hubby had a midlife crisis and ran off with some young chickadee. What a shock! I spent time at home emotionally recovering from that trauma. After marrying a wonderful man I met on the Internet, I went back to full time working, this time in the corporate environment, until my job was deleted after 911.

I thought my 37 years of full time work would provide me with an independence unknown to many women in the fifties. Nope. I had put hubby #1 through college, acquired a lifestyle better than my parents had, spent quality time with my child while he was growing up, all the while working full time (mostly nights.)

When my hubby #2 said, "Don't you think it's time to make YOU a priority?" I was elated.

So I have been at home since 2001, enjoying personal pursuits I never had time for over the years. Yes, I make the bed every day. I do the laundry, shopping, bills, menu planning, etc. No, I do not do "immaculate housekeeping." Life is too short for that. lol We are not wealthy, but due to my diligent budgeting, we eat out a couple nights a week and have no credit card or auto debt. I miss the comradery of co-workers, but I can get a semblance of that online. I volunteer here and there, and listen to some friends mark their time to retirement.

When people find out I have no childcare duties at home, they ask, "What do you do all day?" I answer, "I worked full time at many jobs over the course of my life, one even a paid position. Now it is my time for me."

Online shopping, books, exercising, educational courses, hobbies, TV.....Each day is different. And if something happens where I must get back to the daily grind of full time outside employment, at least I'll have had this time for me.

Signed, A Very Happy Full Time Boomer Homemaker

Cookie and Josie, I love hearing about your lives. You both sound very happy and proud of what you do and that's what it's all about.

I did preceisely what you two are doing from the time our first child arrived, until I launched BWS and NABBW and I absolutely loved it. I thrived doing the Mom/caretaker thing.

During the last five years, my life has changed. The kids are gone and I work full time from home and have embraced this too. I needed a passion outside of my family for this stage of the game.

Life works best when we are doing what we feel called to do at any and every stage of life.

Here's to women finding that call and living life to the fullest.

I so love what you say Dotsie "at this stage of the game" for indeed there are stages.
I stayed at home from when my daughter was born then my son for 12 years. I did so much then.My friends were in the same position.Then one by one we re entered a workplace.During that time my energy was high..I did study at night school..sewed gardened cooked helped whoever needed a hand.
Then I started a term time only job in schools. I never had childcare..having same holidays bar the odd over lap.
I worked until three years ago.And resisted being at home at first.Then my days filled and I have a charmed life.I am on the cusp of a new era.I am a homemaker...again.
As the weather gets better I am plans for some trips with my husband.Days on the train...time to venture to places we have been happy in...just to touch the pavements again.
Every day is a bonus.
MA

Honestly, I feel that I blossomed best as a homemaker. I don't think I'll ever be 100% content in the full time work force. I blossomed because I enjoyed it. I loved having the time for decent housekeeping and cooking. I was home only for the first 2 years with my only child. Then when she went to college, I was home again for 10 years (kinda backwards, I know) to devote all my energies to the ministry. I love planning my cooking and having time to put on nice dinners for hubby, keeping the flower gardens up to par and having a creative home. Nowadays, when working full time I feel more tired and caring less about these things. Maybe someday again I can be home and I have to say that I look very forward to it!

I LOVE this Women proud to be FT Homemakers. I didn't work outside the home from March 79 until last April 07. My youngest son was then 26. I did have 2 stints at outside work, but none lasted more than a few weeks. I couldn't stand being away from my babies. LOL We had an Ad Speciality business, I ran the office end from home. MY sons had their Nintendo set up in my office! I did help run our cattle operation too, take care of my bachelor dad, but was in total bliss with the entire concept. AS my kids grew up, Dad passed, Mom passed, husband stopped traveling and was home FT - I decided to get out and see what this 9-5 was about again. It's still PT, so I enjoy the best of all worlds now. Homemaker, Mom to grown sons and a bit of working girl. I'd not go back and change a thing about how I raised my sons, nope I don't have a 401K, but I do have a mllion and one memories that are worth more than anything to me.

Q Ball,

I'm with you.

I gave up a 10 year military career to stay home with my babies.

I always had a pt/home based business I was working at - but never had the stress of having to do a full time job and care for my family.

I now have an empty nest - have a business I am building - and a J.O.B. that is supporting me as I build. I took the J.O.B. last Oct (it was actually a gift from God) when my ex started playing shenanigans with my maintenance.

And although I have a VERY flexible schedule and an amazing J.O.B......I miss just being accountable to myself. I HATE working for others. LOL

Well, that's my two cents.

danita

Wow, it looks like we boomers really did blaze new trails in so many different directions.....One almost has to feel sorry for the guys! lol lol lol

Been thinking about this topic.Ona wish list I would put at the top...have a welcoming comfortable home for family and friends.This is achieved for me by routine and planning.Then when all is as I want ..I have time..plenty reading..writing and visits to places I like.I have decluttered.All the teaching aids I kept..the paperwork and once I get my flower seeds sown I am on a roll...
MA

Danita,
I too miss being acountable to only myself. But, I've found getting up a half hour early to indulge myself with a nice bubble bath before work makes my 'Grind Day" go better. IT's easier to pamper others wishes if you've taken care of yourself first. LOL To, being 'scheduled' somewhat helps me to not get to high on my self appointed pedestal. I do admire you for giving up a 10 year military career for your family. I really didn't give up any "career", I simply dived head frist into the one I always dreamed of. Wife/mother/adult daughterhood fully devoted to being the best at all 3 at one time + being a background force in making a living for our family. I'm just now learning to be a grownup woman who CAN focus on herself as much as her family.
I actually put on night cream now instead of funny faces while reading bedtime stories.

Danita, you said it, sweetie....I also hate working for others. I was so hoping that I would never have to do it again. But I also now have a "maintenance" job while I build my business. Oh, the facts of life are so real!

Ladyjane,

the facts of life ARE soooooooooooooo real. Too real sometimes!

I have owned my own life for so many years that it is somewhat painful having to work for someone else.

You have to know that I did take on pt jobs (summer, night jobs) as needed for the fam - but they were always short term and for a reason.

BUTT, if you ladies knew how little work is required of me - you wouldn't feel so bad. It's just that, I HATE being accountable. LOL

before I took on a "real job"........every day was a week-end day.....so now, my favorite day of the week is Saturday. I hate that I dread the work week. Realistically, what I dread is feeling like I don't have enough hours in the day. With all that is going on in my life - I am battling "the blues" daily -- so that is part of the problem!!

Q ball - I LOVE that I can focus more on myself now also! It's so unreal after years of giving, giving, giving!

danita