Doing it alone?
I’ve had some interesting discussions with many people recently in relation to the recent publishing of my new book “Worth More Than Rubies” which grew out of this blog. And I’ve also read several blog posts about the same subject.
So many see the role of a Proverbs 31 Woman as daunting and impossible to reach, and perhaps in some ways it is. But many overlook verse 15 which states, “She gets up whilst it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.”
When there are others involved in assisting with anything at all, the load is lightened. We don’t have ‘servant girls’ these days for the most part, but we do have family members and friends and in a day and age of very busy lives, it is good to pull the family together to share in household chores and activities. It is not harmful for the children to learn at a young age to help around the household or even when you’re out somewhere else. To do simple things like picking up after themselves at home and elsewhere, help carry things to and fro the car or house, and to ask you if you need help when they see you are busy.
If there are no other family members and simply a couple, then sharing the load between the two as much as possible should definitely help. But there are other things you can do that might assist and I share some of them here.
I run a fulltime business at home and whilst the girls were growing up I didn’t have time to do everything around the house. But I was able to engage help and this was something my husband and I discussed and agreed upon. For as long as I can remember I’ve had someone come and pick up the ironing fortnightly and drop it back off again a couple of days later. I have another lady come on the alternate weeks and clean the house. We pick up everything and put things away (the girls had to throw everything on their beds when they were home, so the floors were clear) and the cleaner washes, wipes and vaccums. It is really nice to walk through our home after she’s gone and just smell the freshness and cleanness throughout the house. Once a month I have a man come and mow the lawns and do other odds and ends for us as needed.
Both my husband and I feel that investing the money to pay these three people a worthwhile thing to do – it gives me peace of mind and allows me to concentrate on what I do well without worrying about the house and garden, and it also assists three people to run their own businesses and contribute to their household incomes. In doing that, I am actually helping to provide ‘portions for my helpers’ as well as provide for my family.
September 24th, 2007 at 1:49 am
Kathie,
What about those people who don’t have the funds to hire other’s to help when they do not have children at home to help?
It’s almost impossible for me to get any yard work done. I’m unable to sweep, vacuum or mop floors. I have a very difficult time with the bathtub/shower.
My dh helps me with the laundry and taking trash out.
Anyway, wonderful post.
Kimberly
September 24th, 2007 at 7:21 am
If you’re not earning sufficient income, or income at home, I know that makes it hard for you. Not everyone is going to be able to do that, but I wanted to encourage those who had not considered it and are in a position to do so.
Do you have any family, friends, or perhaps someone from a church who could come in and help you? If not, then I pray that God will provide someone with you very soon. Thanks for dropping by Kimerly.
October 11th, 2007 at 12:56 am
When I was able to afford to have cleaners come once every two weeks and handle the heavy stuff–it was such a blessing. I think it is one of the most healing and wonderful things we can do for ourselves.
October 16th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
[…] a nice compliment to Kathryn’s post, Kathie M. Thomas posted Doing it alone?over at Proverbs31-Woman. Kathie’s article discusses the everyday logistics of managing the […]
October 25th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Regarding “portions for my helpers”…
Excellent point, Kathie. I never looked at it from that perspective although I DO like to support others in that manner.
Kimerly, do you have something you could barter, such as product or services you perform, for the cleaning services? I have beauty products I sell as a direct seller and I’ve considered trading product for cleaning services myself.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:44 am
My dear, having your children pick up things and throw them on the bed is not teaching your children to be responsible. Pick up, hang up, wash up. That is simple rules of life for a boy child or girl child.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I’ll be the first to admit it isn’t easy to work full-time (whether it be at home or away) and keep a tidy house, and unfortunately I have never had the income to hire help. But I have learned to prioritize my life in a way that helps me not to sweat the small things. I simply do as much as I am able to do and let the rest wait for me. As long as the dishes are washed, laundry is done, there is something to eat I don’t worry. The rest waits for me.
January 30th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
For sgillihan – I know that’s what needs to be taught to children and they were when they were young. But as teenagers they take on a different personality – some keep to what they’ve learnt, the others don’t. When you have 5 children just knowing that some follow through is a blessing.