Do you experience this same assumption from society in general that just because you’re being crafty you’re also driven by some unseen force to be in constant 1950s housewife mode? and then…. Who actually does the cooking and the cleaning in the household? I’d also really like to hear some words from the men in the crowd who stitch on this topic. What sort of societal reactions do you get and what ridiculously wrong assumptions do people make towards you when they see you working on needlework?
I have never experience the assumption that because I cross stitch that I am an amazing housewife and chef. I find that most people assume because I cross stitch that I am totally crafty and that I know how to sew. Neither is true. Although I have dabbled a little in other crafts, I really only cross stitch and I can’t sew a straight line on a sewing machine.
I am the one in our family that is responsible for all the housework, laundry and cooking. Years ago when we were expecting, I quit working to be a stay at home mother and wife. It was a decision that we made because if I continued working my entire income would have went to pay someone else to take care of my child. And lets face it… I wanted to be a stay at home mom. I don’t regret for a minute that decision. However, I know not everyone has the choice or the desire to and I respect and encourage them in their balancing of being both mom and breadwinner.
With all that said, I think I am a terrible housewife. My house is a mess, the closets, bedrooms and laundry room are filled with crap that needs to be either trashed or donated. Right now, you could write your name in the dust, something I should be better about doing since I have two people in this house who suffer from allergies. And I wouldn’t recommend eating off the kitchen floor…though I do let my dogs. Thankfully, hubby never complains about the state of our house and only once, recently, made a comment about the our bedroom. We just have to much stuff and a small house. I do feel like I spend lots of time cleaning up around the house. I like a really clean house, magazine worthy, but I would rather have a maid instead of doing it myself.
I do the cooking and I think I do pretty well in the kitchen. But the times that I don’t feel like cooking, hubby is willing to either pick up something, take us out or say he loves cereal night. I love looking for new recipes on-line or in cookbooks and magazines. My collection of cookbooks is over the top. I have recently made the decision to donate three to four boxes of cookbooks. I boxed them up last year, and still don’t have room in the kitchen for the ones I am keeping. And I still have to go through the boxes just to make sure which ones to donate. I am also a bit of a procrastinator.
Edited to add:
After reading a few other blogs on this subject I thought I should share….
- People assume I am patient when the see me stitching. I am not and if you don’t believe me, ask my daughter.
- Hubby is not a caveman type and would do the housework and cooking, but when I decided to be a stay at home, I took over that majority of that responsibility. When my hubby and I were first married, our roles were reversed since I had a full time career and he was on limited duty while in the Navy due to reconstructive knee surgery… he was later discharged and has since been awaiting the time when the military will replace his knee. He did most of the cooking then and his own laundry while we split the remaining housework.
- I have sat down in the afternoon or decided to take a nap then mentioned to hubby that I should be doing/have done something around the house that needs doing and he always answers with “why? It looks fine to me.”
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That is what I get… you must sew… even my mother would say it… had to remind her Mom sewing is a lot of straight lines, embroidery (which is what I did at that time, now mainly cross stitch) doesn’t have that many. And yes, cross stitch/embroidery is the only crafty thing I do. Unless you count cooking. I can’t crochet, knit or any of the other needlework. I think one, I don’t have that much time to spend on crafts and if I had more than one I would never get anything done and 2 and this is probably the big one, I don’t have the money to invest into another craft (much less room to store them).
Got the pattern this weekend, can’t wait to get started, except I will have to, need to finish the birthday present I am working on…birthday in July… OH MY early July!
Hope your visit to the doctor turns out with good news. Will say a prayer for you.
Laurie, I am glad you got the pattern! I look forward to seeing your finished stitching. :0)
Thank you! The doctor’s was a sick visit, but I am fine. I thought she would have to do a small procedure but taking an antibotic for the next 10 days to clear up an infection is all.
Glad to hear it isn’t anything too serious. Take care of yourself.