The Wifely Duties

[C-dot]

I wanted to do Home Economics in secondary school but the nun told my Mum I would be doing German and Science instead as I was smart - which leads me to think that Home Economics was viewed in my school as something less smart people would do.

I had a similar experience in high school. I wanted to take Parenting class in my third year, but everyone, including my parents, was baffled. "Parenting? That's the easy credit that stupid kids take." So, I took chemistry in my first semester and hated it. I took Parenting in my second semester despite the naysayers, and I'm glad I did - I understand a lot more about child development, the human body, caring for a baby, and elementary first aid, which has served me well much more often than chemistry ever has.

Women who 'keep house' are some of the most under-appreciated people in the world. It is not an easy job, and it never ends, especially when there are children involved.

People underrate the level of skill that is involved, aswell. Like was mentioned a few pages back, people often wondered what my mother did all day. With two children and a large house, you can be sure she wasn't watching TV. These days, she has more time to herself now that we're adults, which makes people wonder harder and more often. She's just as busy as an avid hobbyist, having taught herself to do many things.

That's another thing people don't do anymore, and it kills me. I would go crazy if I didn't have hobbies.

 

[Gregg Axley]

An assembly line.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

An assembly line.

This was actually the start of Larry, Moe, and Curly Joe!

 

[scottyrocks]

Parenting is one those jobs that is sometimes looked at as being oh so easy by both people who do and don't have kids. It is arguably the most important job any one could have and yet so many people are woefully unprepared, and then often in denial regarding their abilities. Everyone should take a parenting class, if not a full course, as a requirement in high school. More people will become parents than chemists, that's for sure.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Parenting is one those jobs that is sometimes looked at as being oh so easy by both people who do and don't have kids. It is arguably the most important job any one could have and yet so many people are woefully unprepared, and then often in denial regarding their abilities. Everyone should take a parenting class, if not a full course, as a requirement in high school. More people will become parents than chemists, that's for sure.

True, it would not hurt to know a bit of chemistry as a parent...lets see, one part soap, three parts water, the rest, a kid in the tub!

 

[scottyrocks]

That's a physical reaction, not a chemical one!

 

[LoveMyHats2]

That's a physical reaction, not a chemical one!

Oh...now I think soap and water is chemical....the reaction the kids may make. physical for sure! lol!

 

[scottyrocks]

Chemical changes occur on a molecular level and produce new substances. Combining soap and water still yields soap, just in a different form.

 

[rue]

^ You just gave me a headache

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Chemical changes occur on a molecular level and produce new substances. Combining soap and water still yields soap, just in a different form.

The organic part of a natural soap is a negatively-charged, polar molecule. Its hydrophilic (water-loving) carboxylate group (-CO2) interacts with water molecules via ion-dipole interactions and hydrogen bonding. The hydrophobic (water-fearing) part of a soap molecule, its long, nonpolar hydrocarbon chain, does not interact with water molecules. The hydrocarbon chains are attracted to each other by dispersion forces and cluster together, forming structures called micelles. In these micelles, the carboxylate groups form a negatively-charged spherical surface, with the hydrocarbon chains inside the sphere. Because they are negatively charged, soap micelles repel each other and remain dispersed in water.


I dunno, I think that sounds like chemistry to me!?!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

^ You just gave me a headache

...and that may be another chemical reaction as well. The vexatious oberindorfins mix with non comprehenday feminine malfractions behind over-lucious eye beautificationality effecting strain-pain forming over-the-line flatline irresponsive attack within the huh sensativities that can alter any science sense especially if you've recently been inhaling paint chemicalcations.

 

[scottyrocks]

Hmm, I didn't mean to give anyone a head ache. Sorry, rue.

LMH, I think you're confusing the term 'chemistry' with the term 'chemical reaction.' Anyway, company just arrived. Ciao fer now!

 

[rue]

I was just kidding, but those last two posts before yours did give me one

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Hmm, I didn't mean to give anyone a head ache. Sorry, rue.

LMH, I think you're confusing the term 'chemistry' with the term 'chemical reaction.' Anyway, company just arrived. Ciao fer now!

That may be, but for me, not that important....weeeeeeeeee hahahahah!

 

[hellsbellslolly]

Oh my....I'm sorry I had to laugh a little when I read that - that is unbelievable. Her poor little boy - although in fairness I was watching Jamie Oliver's programme and he showed some kids in a class an onion and asked them if they knew what it was - some were clueless and one poor kid offered up "Is it an apple"?

She must have been seriously coddled at home to not know anything about basic cooking skills/washing/ironing? I'm an only girl and was - well not spoilt - I was well taken care of - but my Mum showed me everything - used to make me watch her cook/iron - I found it all kinds of boring at the time but it has stood to me.

"Floating" food in water to cook it......cripes.....

I'm in no way trying to cause friction....I am only saying that perhaps it wasn't that she was coddled. You mention you were lucky enough to have your Mum show you every-thing you needed to know. Even the boring bits. Some of us don't have the opportunity. Its actually really incredibly important how much a mother role plays in the parts of their children's lives. They are first taught to socialise by their mothers. Behaviour is derived from conscious observation and mimicry, identity develops through an internalized allignment with a female model.

 

[sheeplady]

I'm in no way trying to cause friction....I am only saying that perhaps it wasn't that she was coddled. You mention you were lucky enough to have your Mum show you every-thing you needed to know. Even the boring bits. Some of us don't have the opportunity. Its actually really incredibly important how much a mother role plays in the parts of their children's lives. They are first taught to socialise by their mothers. Behaviour is derived from conscious observation and mimicry, identity develops through an internalized allignment with a female model.

I can see a number of reasons why someone wouldn't know how to do the very basics, such as cook a good homemade meal or wash clothes correctly. And unfortunately, the vast majority of the reasons I can think of have nothing to do with coddling and are actually quite the opposite of having an over-comfortable life.

 

[lolly_loisides]

As an aside I just found this image in the NSW State Archives website. Home Economics class, Parramatta 1960 (nice to see the boys there too)

 

[LoveMyHats2]

As an aside I just found this image in the NSW State Archives website. Home Economics class, Parramatta 1960 (nice to see the boys there too)

Can you blame the Guys for wanting to be in that class? Lets see now, food, get to eat, nothing all that physical to do for a grade, and to be surrounded by all them young good looking Gals....sounds to me like a dream come true!

 

[Gregg Axley]

Agreed!
Sign me up too. LOL

 

[LoveMyHats2]

I think the role of a "Wife" is more than what is done as far as raising children. In my upbringing, yes, my Mother had a lot of input, but then so did my Father. I feel for myself, it was a very good balance between the two of them. In turn, how I also raised my own children was an extension of ideals and ethics that had been given to me by my own Parents.

I was in my opinion, lucky that my Parents stayed together, no divorce, and in looking back, the family unit I was raised in is something I actually wish I could go back in time and enjoy all over again. We had fun! We had a lot of love in the family unit and it is a memory I cherish dearly.