Women's Focus - January 2008 - (Page 51)

A N D S H E ’ S A N Y T H I N G B U T AV E R AG E ! The Housewife According to articles that cite the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census, an increasing number of women are leaving the workplace to stay at home with their children. Although the issue of whether that’s good or bad is still hotly debated in places I don’t visit, there can be no doubt that being a stay-at-home mom is as en vogue as it is controversial. But let’s tiptoe delicately around the Mommy Wars to look at some of the ways the homemaker differs considerably from her retro counterpart. As with everything retro, homemaking has come back in style with a slightly updated look. For one thing, it’s optional. Spending all day in the realm of juice boxes and Backyardigans is certainly not a requirement for me. I spend about half of my time being thankful for the opportunity, and the other half feeling a little guilty that I’m not more of a career success. But another difference is that it’s often temporary. Many of today’s homemakers have college degrees and expertise in everything from early childhood education to corporate finance, and most plan to return to their careers someday. Play dates have become networking opportunities where moms exchange business cards along with recipes. The pediatric physical therapist burping her baby next to you can help you evaluate Johnny’s large motor skills, and the senior investment advisor down on the carpet playing with blocks can tell you if large-cap stocks are still a good portfolio choice. If moms of yesterday vacuumed in their heels, moms today vacuum with one hand while checking email with the other. And if the homemaker of the past had to have a hot supper waiting for Dad and the kids, today’s homemakers have to do that and troubleshoot the home network, update the family website and pay the bills online. And while those tasks might be a breeze for tech-savvy moms, some of us have foolishly taken up sewing Halloween costumes, knitting scarves and Barbie doll sweaters and trying to learn how to quilt. My meatloaf-making skills might pale in comparison to my public speaking prowess, but at least I have entire television networks that focus on teaching me to make gourmet meals in minutes, decorate my “living spaces” with style and do my own home repairs. Martha Stewart, who is no one’s idea of warm and cuddly grandma material, still makes a living feeding off of my hunger to emulate her domestic diva-ness. focus on F U N is Back It doesn’t matter if they’re Desperate Housewives, Happy Housewives or Angry Housewives eating Bon Bons – the housewife is back in style. I’m finally on the cutting edge of something! These days, homemakers have even become newsworthy, and their worth is evaluated and scrutinized. Perhaps it’s the fact that women leave or put off high-powered careers for unpaid work that gives rise to studies speculating on the dollar value of that work. One recent report claims that a homemaker is worth $138,000 in terms of annual salary; another one says the true figure is closer to $30,000. Whichever it is, I doubt my own mother even thought about it. Many homemakers of today dread the question, “Do you work?” because there’s no quick way to answer it. “Yes” seems insufficient and misleading, and “no” is just plain untrue. Maybe that’s the reason so many homemakers start businesses or do freelance work - just so they can answer, “Why, yes. I’m the President and CEO of Aintcher Granny Industries.” ~Carolyn EriCkson i n d u l g e y o u r s e l f • Wo m e n s F o c u s . c o m • J A N U A RY 2 0 0 8 51 http://WomensFocus.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Women's Focus - January 2008

Womens Focus - January 2008 Contents BEAUTY & FASHION Retro Do’s Are Big News Vintage Vogue Wichita’s Next Top Model Contest FACTS & FUN The Housewife is Back FLAVOR A Taste of History Cocktail Anyone? FAMILY & FRIENDS Forget-Me-Not Gal Shakila Saiffulah In Her Shoes—Wink Hartman Reba McEntire Social Circle HEALTH Abs From the Past Ask Dick & Jane Home Remedies Team in Training HOME & GARDEN From Warm Fires to Pool Parties Furniture Frolic Retro Houseplants There's More to Color Than Meets the Eye TRAVEL & LEISURE City Culture Crafts: Faux Pearl Makeover Day Tripping in Newton Knightley Reading

Women's Focus - January 2008

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