Homemaker and proud

“What a chilled out life you have, you don’t have to go to office,” said my good friend. For a minute, I didn’t understand what she was trying to say. Was that a compliment or a sarcastic remark?

The conversation continued. “What are you doing now?” “I am cooking,” I replied. “I don’t cook; I have hired a cook for us. I have to work and manage home as well, so I don’t get time to cook,” added my friend. I continued cooking while thinking: ‘Isn’t this work at all?’
Next morning my husband said, “You know, everyone loved what you had cooked yesterday. At least, now, I can have home cooked food at office. I enjoy it!” This cheered me up. I have given up my job to be with my husband. Some of my friends don’t agree with this idea. They feel there should be no compromise on career. I chose the other way.

Just after marriage, my husband and I lived in different cities for a brief period for the sake of our jobs. But soon after, I moved to the same city as him even as I continued to work. Later, the choice was between a job and staying together. I chose togetherness over career. I wouldn’t have understood the value of a homemaker had I not been one. My mother was a working lady, so is my sister. Women in my family are not expected to sit at home. So, when I chose to do it, it shocked my friends as well as my family.

I remember the days when I would start work at 4:30 pm on my evening shifts. Then, I had the privilege to sleep till 11 am. I didn’t even have to prepare dinner. I would also get extra allowance for doing night shifts. However, dinner can’t be monotonous like office work. There has to be a change, some creativity. No one likes to eat the same food again and again. And, I don’t get paid for trying out a new recipe at home. It is just the pleasure of eating together.

I don’t know which job is better or worse. But I do understand the value of a homemaker, and it is not easy being one. There is no weekly off, there is no extra pay. But then, I wouldn’t say it was an easy task being a working wife, too. I hardly got time to spend with my husband; we rarely had meals together.

I never had to answer a thousand probing questions while I had that respectful job. Now, people keep asking me if I’m educated, why I don’t work etc. Some don’t even react when they learn that I don’t get ready for work every day. Housewives are the people who work without appreciation or an expectation of a promotion. They do the house work with the dedication of just about any other employee. In fact, being a housewife is more demanding.

I respect all those women who are the breadwinners of their family and are no less than an earning man. However, I have equal respect for the housewives. Without them a house would have never become a beautiful home. We all have different roles to play. And, if my role is to be a homemaker, I would choose to play it well.