Housewife (Hausfrau) – Article by Temi Iregbu

Being a housewife is the last thing on the mind of a working class, 21^st century woman and trust me I once felt that way. In fact, until 4 months ago I never thought I’d love the idea but its amazing how people’s views could change with time. I thought my brain would be completely bored and maybe freeze if I ever became a housewife but I have found that notion to be untrue.

It’s been 4 months since I commenced this journey or can I say venture of being a housewife (at least in the interim) and it’s been one of the most amazing times in my personal and marital life. For people with children, it’s only natural that children will keep them more than occupied so they can never be bored as stay-home mums. However, for those of us whose children are yet to arrive, we we’ll wonder how on earth will I occupy myself. You might also be single and not working and you’re still trying to figure out how to keep busy.

I had a few things that I’d always wanted to do if I ever had time on my hands so I decided to invest my time in those areas. And they are so paying off and I’m really having a great time. My husband likes his snacks, pastries and biscuits and I’ve always wanted to learn to make pastries. So I spotted an opportunity and decided to marry his ‘hunger’ with my desire. I seized the moment and today the result is a new passion. I’ve since learnt to make pastries and I’m currently learning to knit and would also be learning a new language for the next 6 months from September.

So my fellow housewives and single non-working ladies out there, there’s always something you can do to occupy your time whether or not you already have children. Don’t ever think any less of yourself.

Working class sisters, don’t ever think less of housewives either. Research says we only use a small percentage of our brain’s capacity in our lifetime. Prayerfully identify a new hobby; it could be reading to improve your knowledge, learning a new language or musical instrument, voice training, cooking or baking, painting, the list is truly endless. Instead of wishing for what could have been, stand up and act on those ideas and make them a reality. You might just discover a new means of income by learning a new skill. The bible says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. For those of us with children, we can still make it happen; take a step of faith and God will back you up.

Just like the woman in Proverbs 31:15, she was organised; she woke up in time to provide food, not just for only her family but also for her servants. She didn’t stop there; in the next verse she considered a field and bought it and she also went further to plant a vineyard. In verse 22a, she made coverings for her bed. In 24a, she made linen garments and sold them and in verse 27 she watched over the affairs of her household and SHE WAS NOT IDLE.

Notice that no one pushed her on what to do, instead she singlehandedly thought it through and saw that it was profitable to buy a field and cultivate it. She learnt to make clothes otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to make linen, not to talk of selling them.

So my dear sisters, your price is far above rubies; get busy and you’ll reap the rewards.

Temi Iregbu