The term Homemaker or Homemaking seems to be all the buzz lately, leaving many people wondering, What is Homemaking, or What do Homemakers do? Or you’re a SAHM (stay-at-home mom) or wife and are wondering the same thing. Let me first start by saying, that for some Homemaking comes naturally. For others, it can get a little overwhelming, FAST. This is why most Homemakers struggle to build a system that works. Could they be lacking some of the Basic Homemaking Skills, Creating the flexibility to get it all done and make time for themselves?
Sounds like you? Then, You’re in the right place.
This post DOESN’T list off a bazillion and one Homemaking Skills that will overwhelm you causing you to give up before you ever start.
What it shows you instead are the BASIC Homemaking Skills every Modern Homemaker Should Know.
This post is all about the Important Basic Homemaking Skills every Modern Homemaker should Know.
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.“
—COLOSSIANS 3:23
What is Homemaking?
Homemaking is more than cooking and keeping house aka cleaning. Homemaking is about creating a safe and welcoming place for your family to shut out all the chaos in the world. A place for them to be loved, and to be truly seen and heard. A place to be present, serving your family warm nutritious food. Where we build, nurture, and teach values and morals about life.
Basic Homemaking Skills Every Modern Homemaker Should Know
“A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge, its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.“
—Proverbs 24:3-4
1. A Prayer Life
Before we get into the meat and potatoes of the post, let me give you the two most important Homemaking Skills that I wish I would have learned a lot sooner and that you’re not going to find anywhere else.
No. 1 A PRAYER LIFE When it comes to your family and your home, your prayer needs to be at the top of your list. Sure, you can have a good cleaning routine and make delicious meals but having a prayer life and seeking The Lord on behalf of your family’s needs surpasses it all.
The Lord is there to guide you when cultivating your home to raising your children. So put your home in the hands of the Lord, and he will give you wisdom.
2. A Heart of Service
A heart of Service is a Homemaking skill that is oftentimes forgotten. One scripture I like to remind myself of from time to time is Colossians 3:23 “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
As believers, we’re called to serve one another, and serving our families is no different.
Yeah, sometimes you won’t feel like washing the dishes again, or the baby is a little fussy today. Carrying this scripture in your heart will be the key to joyful Homemaking and knowing that everything will be just fine.
A bad day doesn’t mean a bad life.
( Related Post ) 7 Free Ways to Make Your House a Home
3. Multitasking
On a given day, modern homemakers could easily have upwards of five to seven if not more daily tasks. So, the ability to wear many hats throughout the day is ideal. Remember your home is your domain, and it takes multitasking skills to manage and run it efficiently.
4. Cooking
Living in the times of your Doordash and UberEats, Homemaking Skills must…you need to know how to cook. Now I’m not saying you have to be a five-star chef, but cooking is a Homemaking skill that every modern homemaker should have.
I believe that if you can learn the basics and follow directions, anyone can learn to cook.
There are tons of resources and videos online to get you started. One cookbook that I recently discovered is Cook Once Eat All Week.
Hear me out! It isn’t your ordinary cookbook. It calls for 1-2 days a week of food preparation. A Protein. A Vegetable. A Carb. Then, 5-10 minutes a day to assemble the meal and viola meals on the table. I wish I’d found this cookbook sooner. Get it now and thank me later. Game changer!
5. Keeping house aka Cleaning
Of course, cleaning is a basic homemaking skill to have. Let’s face it; there is a lot to keep up with around our homes, From dirty dishes, toys, and what seems to be never-ending laundry.
Though, cleaning can be a little mundane at times, creating a Cleaning Schedule and routine will help you tremendously. It will not only help you manage your task, but it will give you peace of mind knowing that everything has a time and day to be tended to. Get my Free cleaning schedule to get you started.
6. Budgeting
With everything around us going up in price, knowing how to keep a family budget is an important; basic homemaking skill every modern homemaker should have. Also, budgeting your family’s resources is a foolproof way to take the stress out of the topic of money.
Knowing how much money is coming in and where it’s going is vital. Ask yourself, are there things we should cut back on? How many times a month can we afford to eat out per month? Should we eat at home more? Should we continue our Netflix subscription?
And sometimes, it isn’t always “if you can afford” certain things; it could come down to “Do I want to” continue with yet; another price increase? Yes, I’m coming for you, Netflix. Continuing on…lol.
7. Organization
As a planner kind of person, organizing is my jam. And I believe that it is a basic Homemaking skill that every homemaker should have in their back pocket. There’s a push to collect stuff; we need more stuff. Right? So, what do we do? Buy more stuff.
And before you know it, there are stacks of papers here; and blocks and toys everywhere, leaving you stressed out and overwhelmed.
Organization in the home aids in relaxation, clarity, and peace of mind. When your items have a home, it reduces stress leaving you with a clutter-free environment.
Another Post to Check out: 5 Ways to Make Your Home Peaceful and Inviting
8. Time Management
One Basic homemaking Skill that I struggled with; but I’ve gotten better at over time, is time management. Prioritizing and managing our household tasks with the allotted time we have, allowing us to get stuff done, that would’ve otherwise stressed us out by not doing them. Time management is said to reduce stress, increase the quality of work, and you can accomplish more. Read more
9. Planning | Preparing
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”
—Proverbs 21:5
“Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.”
Proverbs 24:27
When it comes to planning and goal setting, we already understand why it’s an important skill to have. Planning helps us focus on the bigger picture one bite at a time, making our goals more attainable. Planning also filters out uncertainty; if you’re ever confused, you can review the plan to get back on course. But what does that have to do with Basic Homemaking Skills?
“She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm clothes.”
Proverbs 31:21
As a homemaker, planning; and preparing will be your bread and butter. Ask me how I know.
From planning and preparing meals to planning naptime.
Planning Ideas:
- Cleaning
- Appointments
- Mealtimes | What’s for dinner
- Grocery shopping
- Scheduled home maintenance appointments
- Playground | Playdates
- Naptime
- Self-care
- Bible Study
- Laundry days
- Me Time
- Date Night etc.
10. Laundry
Let’s Talk Laundry!
We’re living in the glorious times of washers and dryers. We no longer have to wash everything by hand and line dry. Unless that’s your thing, then by all means. Judge-free zone. That’s your business! But as for me and my house, the washer and dryer it is.
But in all seriousness, even the basics of laundry i.e. folding, color sorting, detergent levels, and how to use bleach, are sure basic homemaking skills that every modern homemaker should know.
Going a little beyond that, create a laundry schedule that works for you.
( Related Post ) Overwhelmed? 3 Easy Steps to Fold Laundry Fast
What days will you wash…
- Bedding
- Towels
- Kids clothes
- Your clothes
- etc.
Snag the FREE Weekly Cleaning Schedule NOW!!
11. Taking care of yourself is one of the greatest Homemaking skills you will need.
Last but not least, As homemakers, we take our roles seriously. It brings us immense joy in serving and caring for the needs of others. How does the old saying go? “You can’t pour from an empty cup”. It continues to be true even for homemakers. Try making time for yourself a little every day.
This may look different from one homemaker to the next, or one season or another. Finding balance and caring for yourself and your mental health is a homemaking skill that I learned the importance of once becoming a mother.
So, set aside some time for yourself even if it’s 5-10min. throughout the day, it adds up and you deserve it.
If you enjoyed the post and found it helpful, leave your comments below. Have something you’d like to add? In this community, sharing is welcomed, and you never know who could benefit from it. I’d love to hear from you!
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