Call me Homemaker. Now a homemaker probably conjures up images of laundry, dishes, cleaning up after kids, etc. While all of that is involved most definitely, a homemaker is far more than just a housekeeper. A homemaker's job is to turn a house into a home. This is accomplished by making sure your home is a pleasant place to be for everyone. It doesn't have to be spotless, in fact, mine almost never is. Go ahead, run your white glove over any surface and I can guarantee that you'll find dust. But what we lack in cleanliness, (mind you , it's not a pig sty, just not spotless) we make up for in the warm fuzzies.
How do we make the warm fuzzies happen? Well, it's not by being the best of hostesses, I can tell you. I rarely remember to offer people drinks, take their coats, etc. Hubby will remember these things (he's been raised right!). But I think the warm fuzzies happen because we go out of our way to make sure that they know that our house is their house. Mi Casa es Su Casa.
These are our Company rules:
1. If I know you're coming and my front door is unlocked, don't knock, come on in. This is your home away from home. Why would you knock at your own home?
2. Please help yourself to anything you'd like in the kitchen. Glasses are right there, food and drink are in the fridge and cupboards.
3. Something spilled? Something's broken? Don't worry about it. Accidents happen and it's only material items that can be cleaned or replaced. I much more enjoy your company than anything else. YOU are what's important to me.
Fill the house with love. Love can cover a multitude of faults. While our kids complain A LOT about the chores they're forced to do, they know without a shadow of a doubt that they're loved. They know without a shadow of a doubt that Mommy and Daddy love each other (they're constantly telling us to get a room!). When everyone feels loved, they want to be in the home. Case in point, while Thing 1 has a ton of friends, she spends most of her weekends home with us. If asked she'd probably come up with some other reason why she doesn't hang out with her friends, but I firmly believe it's because she genuinely enjoys being with her family. She feels loved.
I think people can sense a tranquil and loving home when they enter into it. And we all crave love and tranquility.
I want my house to be a relaxing haven. The good news is that to achieve this sanctuary of warmth, I don't have to be Martha Stewart perfect...people tend to be more at ease anyway when they see your house is just like their house...imperfections and all. Let go and make your house a home today!
