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Homemaking 101 + Daily Disciplines for Every Homemaker

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Keeping a neat house isn’t the easiest of tasks, but having self discipline can sure make it easier. That’s why today I’m sharing daily disciplines for every homemaker – tasks and activities that really make a difference in how you manage your home.

Homemaking 101 | Daily Disciplines for Every Homemaker @ AVirtuousWoman.org

What does the word “homemaker” make you think of? Most of us think of a homemaker as a woman who stays home full time and cares for her house and family. She manages the different tasks and chores required to keep a home running and raises her children while her husband works outside the home.

And those are definitely the characteristics of a homemaker! But what about a woman who works outside the home part time or full time? Is she a homemaker too? Of course!

What is a homemaker?

You see, families need women who make home a special place to live, learn, and grow. There is no other job that presents as many opportunities for shaping {for the good or the bad} the future of our country – of our world – than that of a homemaker.

Studies have proven that the home environment impacts the family in profound ways. In fact, how well children adapt to their world and are able to learn at school is directly related to their life at home and the environment they live in. Their emotional well being and how well they will form relationships is also great affected by their home environment.

Home is where real life happens. It’s where we live and grow with the people who are most important to us. And studies have shown that when families eat together around the table on a regular basis, the children are less likely to smoke, drink alcohol, or turn to drugs.

Home is incredibly valuable!

Daily Disciplines for Every Homemaker Video

The Importance of a Homemaker

As a homemaker, you’re hands are the hands of Christ ministering in tangible ways every day to the people you love.

Homemaking is a noble work. It’s the work of hands in tender care when her husband needs her. It’s the work of a kind mother tending to a scraped knee. It’s the work of a home cook, preparing a family favorite meal. It’s the work of a wife who knows just how her husband likes his socks folded. It’s the work of a thoughtful woman as she goes about planning for the holidays.

The importance of a homemaker is often forgotten, but homemaking is something every family enjoys whether they consciously think about it or not. Our culture often degrades the role of a homemaker as unimportant or as unworthy of much praise. Here in America, stereotypical housewives are mocked and made fun of as if homemaking and domestic arts are less valuable than other pursuits.

The idea of homemaking is often ridiculed as feminism has become more and more prevalent. Our daughters are taught that girls don’t need to take care of a home and should instead pursue careers instead of raising a family. And while there is nothing wrong with women pursuing a career outside the home, there is certainly nothing wrong with women choosing to stay home either.

That’s the beauty of being free to choose. I have four daughters and I’ve taught them to follow their dreams, pursue their passions, and be whatever their hearts dream they can be. And I hope I’ve instilled in them the understanding that being a homemaker is a worthy pursuit as well. I want them to do what is best for them and their families.

Our world needs women who create a home that welcome it’s family with warmth and cheer. 

Despite how you may feel or what you may have heard, I don’t believe that homemaking is a lost art. I believe there are women every where who take pride in their homes and do their very best to provide a home that well cared for. Homemaking helps a family thrive and helps children feel secure in their surroundings. Don’t ever think that the importance of homemaking is long past!

Our culture has conditioned people to value less the domestic arts than productivity outside the home. And while people love to criticize women who enjoy homemaking, who doesn’t love to come home to the smell of fresh baked bread or a tidy house. Who doesn’t love to open their drawers to find clean socks and underwear on a daily basis?

The Urban Dictionary defines the word homemaker like this: “A person, usually a woman, who cares for her own home and family by cleaning, cooking nutritious meals, doing laundry, running errands, caring for pets, working with a budget, organizing, etc. She is her own boss and enjoys the freedom of creating her own schedule. She does not have time to be lazy. She realizes the value of her unpaid job as a homemaker because it brings stability to the family and less stress for all.

Don’t you love that? She realizes the value of her unpaid job… 

What does the Bible Say about Homemaking?

It’s God’s desire for us to live in peace and for our homes to be places where love abides. It’s never God’s desire for us to live in chaos, for our homes to be filled with frustration and strife.

Some of my favorite Bible verses for Homemakers are: 

“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” Isaiah 32:18

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Proverbs 14:1

“She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27

“In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.” Titus 2:4, 5

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40

Home should be a respite from the world. A place where the people who live there have the grace to live, learn, and grown without condemnation. The thing is, we’re all human and we make mistakes. The only way we can truly live like Christ and show his love within our homes is to have a relationship with Him.

Homemaking 101 | Daily Disciplines for Every Homemaker @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Daily Devotions are Important for the Homemaker

Beginning your day with a few minutes reading the Scriptures and asking God to lead you throughout the day. It can be helpful to wake up earlier than your family, but if that isn’t possible, it’s perfectly okay to spend time in prayer and reading the Word with your family around you. And it can never hurt for your children to see you reading God’s Word!

I receive a lot of questions about how long should your devotion time last. But here’s the thing. There is no right or wrong way to spend time with God. He’s with you all day long. You can talk to him all day long!

related: How Long Should My Morning Devotion Last?

If you are a young mom with small children, you probably have less quiet time than a woman who’s children have grown and left home. That’s okay! There are different seasons of life. Some are busier than others. What’s important is that you take time to talk to God, that you find time to study the Bible, and that you walk with Him every where you go.

Homemaking 101

There are certain tasks that keeping a home requires no matter where you live, what lifestyle you have, and whether or not you work outside the home or not.

The art of homemaking is multi-faceted. There are always chores and activities to keep a homemaker busy. And unfortunately, many young women today are faced with keeping house and raising a family and having no clue how to do it and do it well.

I left home young. I was married the first time at the age of 15 after giving birth to my son. While my situation wasn’t typical, many women go into marriage, housekeeping, and child rearing without having been properly taught the skills they need. I had to learn most things the hard way!

Some of us had moms who did everything for us, mothers who cooked and cleaned and doted out of love. Others struggled themselves to figure it out. And along the way, young women have entered homes of their own lacking the skills and knowledge to manage a home well.

Managing a Home

Managing a home does not mean doing everything yourself. Before I go on, let me be clear. There are things that every household needs done. That doesn’t mean you are the only one who can do them. It’s certainly okay and even a good idea to give your children chores that they are responsible for. And there’s certainly no reason why your husband can’t be helpful. Especially if you both work outside the home.

If you stay at home full time, I want to encourage you to think of your role as a homemaker as your job and take it seriously.

Managing a home, children, and other obligations is not easy by any means – there’s a lot of hard work involved and it requires fortitude and self discipline to get the job done.

All homemakers are faced with the task of feeding their families, cleaning their homes, managing schedules, keeping up with the laundry, and serving others in the community – whether it be taking a casserole to a family in need or helping out with a church bake sale.

related: How to Simplify Your Daily Schedule

The homemaker’s chores are abundant and can easily overwhelm her spirit if she doesn’t know how to manage them well.

Routines for Homemakers

There are a couple different approaches to your chores that you can take:

1. Do one room of your house each day: This approach works best if you have a small house. You can divide it up like Monday – kitchen, Tuesday – bathrooms, Wednesday – laundry, Thursday – bedrooms, Friday – living rooms.

2. You can have certain chores for each day: This works well for a lot of people. This method has stood the test of time. Down through the ages women have had certain tasks for certain days. Monday – laundry, Tuesday – bathrooms & floors, etc.

If you have a small family (2 -3 people) it is much easier to do laundry once a week. However, if you are like me (lots of kids) you may find it much easier to simply do one or two loads a day. If I wait a week to do the laundry it piles up so high I would have to spend 20 hours washing it!

The Purpose 31 Homemaking Planner

If you’re anything like me, and want to manage your home well and believe that homemaking matters, The Purpose 31 Homemaking Planner is the perfect solution to manage your home and family life.

The Purpose 31 Homemaking Planner @ AVirtuousWoman.org

The beauty of this weekly planner is that each week is labeled by week {ie. Week One, Week Two, etc.} so that you can start using it at any time during the year! Plus, since it’s a printable, it’s a one time purchase, ultimately saving you money!

This 52 Week Homemaking Planner keeps your week running smoothly. With pages for planning your week, the weekly menu, upcoming holidays and more!

Meal Planning & Meal Prepping

Meal planning is one of the smartest things I do every week. And when I don’t? Believe me, it’s a struggle. Meal planning only takes a few minutes and saves you a ton of brain power later in the week!

Homemakers have the important task of feeding and nourishing their families. It’s important to serve well balanced healthy meals that offer variety in flavor and nutrients. Here are a few resources to help you get started meal planning today:

8 Daily Disciplines for Every Homemaker

Managing your home is made easier when routines are established and chores are done on time. Self discipline is so important for maintaining a home!

Homemaking is messy. And it can be so easy to feel discouraged by doing the same chores day after day after day.

While it’s easy for a homemaker to always be busy, the tasks and responsibilities stay much the same.

It’s easier to face your chores every day if you have an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful for your home and family. What would you do it you lost it all tomorrow? I know you’d be devastated.

Self discipline makes the task of homemaking easier. Self discipline basically means doing what you know needs to be done even when you don’t feel like it. It’s not allowing your emotions or your feelings to dictate whether you do your chores or not.

I have found that self discipline is really one of the greatest struggles homemakers face today. So many of you have written to me and told me you struggle. And if you struggle with self discipline you probably realize it. But I want you to know you are not alone!

There are a few tasks or daily disciplines that I recommend homemaker’s strive for each day. Does that mean I do them every day? Nope.

But striving for perfection this side of heaven is a futile pursuit. Instead, we need to strive each day to do our best and let God leads us daily.

1. Make the beds. Making your bed may seem like a small thing, but when you make your bed you are setting the tone for the day. I highly recommend that you make your bed first thing in the morning. If you accomplish nothing else during the day, at least you made your bed and when you come back after a long hard day, you’ll find it delightful to crawl back into a crisp bed with tight sheets and fresh smelling linens.

It’s a little act of faith. “”He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” Luke 16:10

2. Laundry. Getting into a routine with the laundry is very beneficial to every homemaker. Laundry can pile up so fast – especially if you have several children. I suggest you do a load every day. When I had all five of my children still living at home I did no less than two loads every day. We had so much laundry!

If you work outside the home, try starting a load in the washing machine as soon as you wake up – before you take a shower or get dressed. Put the load on the quickest setting possible. On my machine a quick wash only takes 30 minutes. Before you leave for work, switch the laundry over to the dryer. Before you go to bed, fold the load of laundry and put them away.

Tip: If you want less laundry to wash, own less clothing. Most of us will procrastinate on jobs we don’t particularly enjoy doing. Laundry often falls into that category. Which means it piles up before it gets washed. When you own less you are forced to wash your clothes or go without.

3. Sweep the Floors or Vacuum. Keeping the floors picked up and swept goes a long way to keeping your home neat. In my house, the kitchen floor especially needs sweeping every day. You may find you don’t need to vacuum every day, but sweeping the main floors daily or every other day will keep them in good shape.

4. Tidy the Kitchen. The kitchen should be tidied after every meal and you should go to bed with a clean kitchen every night.

I promise, if you get into this habit you’ll realize how important it is! There’s nothing more discouraging than walking into a dirty kitchen in the morning. If your children are old enough to help, let them help!

5. Wipe Down the Bathrooms. This is another little discipline that can make such a difference in how your home feels. There’s nothing worse than a dirty bathroom. You can keep your bathrooms tidy by taking a couple minutes each morning to wipe down the sink, toilet, and mirror with a rag or disposable wipe.

6. Straighten House. Doing a quick pick up in each room doesn’t have to take long. You can even set a timer for 15 minutes or 30 minutes – whatever you have time for. Grab an empty laundry basket and move from room to room as quick as possible. Put things in the basket that belong in another room and deposit them there when you get there. This saves you from making repeated trips back and forth across the house.

7. 10 Minute Declutter. Set your timer and pick a drawer, shelf, table top or corner – anywhere small that needs a declutter and get to work as fast as you can.

8. Take Out the Trash. At the end of the day, it only take a minute to take out the trash and replace the bags. I keep several layers of bags in my trash cans. There’s a couple reasons for this. I hate cleaning trash cans. Having several bags means nothing will ever leak into the actual trash can. I don’t have to replace the bags every time. Which really means that when family members who don’t care as much as I do pull out the trash, they can be lazy and not replace the bag, but my trash can stays clean anyway.

The Purpose 31 Weekly Checklists

If you need a little help knowing what homemaking chores to tackle when… or if you’ve ever just wished someone would tell you exactly what to do and when to do it, The Purpose 31 Weekly Checklist can help!

The Purpose 31 Checklist Binder @ AVirtuousWoman.org

The Purpose 31 Weekly Checklists Binder is a set of 52 weekly household checklists you can print and check off each days chores to keep your house clean and tidy.

If you miss a chore one day you can do it when you have time – or just skip it because you know it will come back around in the rotation!

The weekly rotating chores are listed Monday through Friday with a catch up day on the weekend. 

This is an easy to use, rotating chore list perfect for those of you who want to be told what to do each day to keep your home in order. 

Features:

  • front and back binder cover
  • daily chore lists
  • weekly rotating chores
  • space to write notes or add to your to do list
  • 52 Bible verses – different one each week

Cultivating Self Discipline as a Homemaker

Homemaking is made so much harder when we lack self discipline. Putting off little tasks until later feels like a good idea at the time. After all, it feels more fun to go watch Netflix than it does to scrub the pots from supper. It feels more enjoyable to scroll on Facebook instead of folding the laundry and putting it away.

related: Cultivating a Heart of Self Discipline Mini Course

But procrastination really makes life harder. Washing a pot immediately takes much less effort than it will a few hours later when the food has crusted over. Folding laundry straight out of a hot dryer is so much more pleasant and easier than folding clean but cold, wrinkled clothing a week later.

Establishing good habits is the key to overcoming messiness. And good habits begin with self-discipline.

Unfortunately, for many of us, instead of being disciplined we find ourselves procrastinating instead of doing chores – or we don’t manage our time efficiently.

But, the Spirit of God will give us self discipline if we just ask! Isn’t that good news? Of course, you have to be willing to do the work of changing. But the Bible also tells us that all things are possible with God!

I believe you can train yourself to be self disciplined at home. It takes work. But you can do it!

Have you ever heard the saying, The best things in life are worth fighting for? I’m sure you have. And you know what? It’s really true.

What are you willing to fight for?

Do you want a better life, a life that doesn’t feel so hard? The kind of life where you no longer feel overwhelmed at home?

I know what it’s like to feel like there’s no way you will ever get it together. I also know what it’s like to feel like no matter how hard you try, things never change.

Where do you see yourself a year from now? Staring at the same pile of clutter on your kitchen counters? Still struggling to get dinner on the table and keep the kitchen clean?

What if the decision you make today could change your life?

The truth is, most people dream of a better life – whatever that looks like – but they never follow through. Deep down they are content to stay the same. To keep running the same race day after day after day.

Creating a disciplined life isn’t easy, but it is possible.

But you have to want it. You have to be willing to do the work of transforming your life. I would never tell you it’s easy. In fact, creating good habits where bad habits have accumulated like clutter on the dining room table requires determination, discipline, and the decision to make those changes a priority.

With God at the center, with friends to see you through, and with little habits, creating a disciplined life is possible!

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19

The Disciplined Homemaker is a six week homemaking class designed to help you step by step, to create little habits upon little habits that add to big changes.

The Disciplined Homemaker is open for enrollment for four days only! Click here to join today!

A Simple Morning Routine

Creating a morning routine is one of the best things you can do to make your day run smoother. If you are in a season where it’s hard to wake up early, ie. a mom with a new baby, give yourself grace and know that this time will pass quickly! Do what you can now to create a morning routine and build on it as you are able.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Remember, motherhood is full of seasons. Life changes. Schedules change. Routines change.
Bedtimes and wake up times change. What really matters is that your morning routine works for your family and that you’re able to do what you need to get done each day.

Action Steps You Can Take Today

  1. Pray and ask God to help you see how important homemaking is to the life of the family and all who enter your home.
  2. Think about what you need to get done each week and write it all down.
  3. Get my free printable Weekly Cleaning Routine below, if desired.
  4. Create a homemaking routine that works with your schedule.
  5. Ask God to help you have more self discipline if that’s a problem in your life.

Free Printable Weekly Cleaning Routine

Use my free printable Weekly Cleaning Routine to keep track of what to clean and when. It includes a blank version as well. Perfect for the homemaker working to create a good routine.

You don’t need to start with a perfectly clean house. Just begin today. Start with where you’re at and use the weekly cleaning routine as a guide for what to do each day. As you continue performing each task on a daily basis, your home will naturally become cleaner.

Weekly Cleaning Routine | Free Printable @ AVirtuousWoman.org

How to Get Your Printable

  1. Just fill out the form below and you’ll receive an email giving you instant access to my free printable Weekly Cleaning Routine.
  2. If you are already a subscriber, filling out the form won’t affect your subscription, but you will receive the link to the printable!

Why should I subscribe?

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13 Comments

  1. The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. ( William Ross Wallace) Want the world to be a better place, raise up children that will do just that. A mother is the key! Never think you don't count, you can change the world by your training...
  2. I’m only 20 and I have 3 younger siblings. I’m a full time university student and I work part time. I’m also the oldest. So I have to lead by example. All the chores you mentioned above I already do on a consistent basis:) I’m thankful that God has given me the opportunity to be faithful with the little stuff while still at home. Because I know someday l’ll be married with a family. Also I’m so thankful for your blog Melissa. God bless you xoxo
  3. Hello Melissa, I just wanted to thank you so much My wife is the breadwinner of our family, and I am the homemaker . When she moved our family for her career, I became the one in charge of all the daily cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping, tidying up, and child care. This blog post is just so incredibly helpful. I have come back to it repeatedly over the past few weeks. Learning to become a more disciplined homemaker is my goal for this year. In fact, whenever I start feeling a bit overwhelmed about the challenge of staying organized as a homemaker, I come back to your incredibly helpful and lovely blog. thank you -- and may God bless you, jamie
  4. Thank for speaking this truth! I’m a firm believer than new age femenism has made home making so unattractive to young women that few know the first thing about it and are so bad at it that it is a major source of conflict in their marriage. Value needs to be placed in home making once again. Our churches need to be unashamed to have groups of older women teaching younger women the art of home making. Women are so necessary to the fulfillment of God’s promise for the family. Please keep sharing this great material.
  5. Thank you Melissa, I have learnt a lot from you. I never realized that homemaking is key to a successful happy home and also happy marriage. After signing up to your blog, I had to adjust my traditional view of a woman and her role. It was not easy to apply as I realized I was a house keeper and not a homemaker when I thought I was doing well for my family. It changes my mindset that homemaking is all about providing and cultivating a peaceful, welcoming and God fearing home. God be the centre of it all. It is hard but with God on my side, I had peace and His sufficient grace that carries me each day to change the atmosphere in my house. I know realize that homemaking is more important than house keeping. I appreciate your daily blog as I read your emails. It has helped me greatly to see God using you in raising Proverbs 31 Woman in this century. You are a vessel that God is using to raise Godly woman and Godly homes. I love to receive more from you. God bless you
  6. Thank you for posting this well written article! As a parent of a newborn myself who was blessed enough to have a mother who was a full time homemaker, I attribute much of my life's fortune to the meticulous level of attention and care I received from her growing up. I can only aspire to provide the same amount of loving guidance and tutelage for my son, and this resource helps immensely!

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