What Does a Housewife With No Kids Do All Day?
26 Aug
What does a housewife with no kids do all day? It’s an interesting question. Here’s what I do:
Schedule appointments with doctors
Call doctors to report problems and ask questions
Call insurance company to find out what they will cover/why they didn’t cover medical bills
Call pharmacy to refill prescriptions/transfer prescriptions
Walk the dog
Bathe the dog
Brush the dog
Take the dog to the vet
Laundry
Ironing
Clean house
Make laundry detergent and cleaning products (So easy. It takes no time at all and saves us a ton of money.)
Research the latest treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis
Research alternative, holistic treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis
Blog/Write (I’m still working on my novel.)
Pay bills
Take care of David when he’s flaring
Go with David to his doctors’ appointments
Grocery shop
Cook (I make everything from scratch. With David going gluten free and now dairy free, I have to. The only prepared foods we eat are tortilla chips, canned green beans, some cereal, peanut butter and sometimes candy. Oh, and I do buy a loaf of whole wheat bread for myself once in awhile. But I make my own broth, etc.)
Dishes (See above. Cooking everything from scratch creates A LOT of dishes.)
A Real Housewife
Research gluten free, dairy free meals. (I have no idea how we’ll survive when David stops eating tomatoes and peppers.)
Get the oil changed
Pick up stamps
Make bank deposits
Knit (My goal is to make everyone’s Christmas present this year. Since I’ve used the Knifty Knitter so much lately, I’ve given myself carpal tunnel in my right wrist. I don’t think all the gifts I make will be knit.)
I am a homemaker with no children. THAT is what I do all day. I’m doing it all while sharing a car with David. If I need to run errands, I’ve got to take David to work and pick him up at the end of the day.
And once a week I talk to Maegan on Skype for three hours.
You knit too? see, another reason why I think we’d be fast friends outside of bloggy world!
There is always lots to be done if you are motivated and hardworking like you!
First love the dish gloves! I have kids and am pretty sure you do more in a day than I do in a couple. You are one busy lady. Great to meet you, stopping by from SITS to say hello
sounds like your busy! I don’t think anyone should ever judge what others do with their time. Being a housewife is a full time job. My mom was one even when we all went back to school and it’s a lot of work. Keep it up!
Being a homemaker is a big job and so critical to the running of the home. But when you add in the fact you are the primary caregiver for your husband, that makes the job larger than one without chronic illness can imagine!
And you’re doing a bang up job!!!
I was looking for justification, and I found it! I, too, am a stay at home wife. I get up at a good time, take care of all the laundry, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the dog. My husband works and supports us. We do not have any children, and I was wondering if an other wives stayed home even without kids. And I found you! People do not realize that taking care of the home regardless of whether you have children or not IS A FULL TIME JOB AND LOTS OF HARD WORK!!!! Thankyou!!!
Doesn’t anyone remember the tried-and-true question of “if money wasn’t an issue, what would you want to do full time”? Why can’t this be a valued answer?
My husband makes plenty for us both, neither of us can have children, I work at home 10 hours a week and manage the home the rest of the time. My mornings include doing laundry and pressing, all while cleaning. After lunch, I run errands (bank, Lowes, grocery) and do special projects. In the late afternoon, I start supper so it’s ready when he gets home. Later that night, we take walks, do things together or volunteer.
I don’t do ANY of this because he makes me – in fact, he just wants me to be happy. My happiness is taking care of what I care about most – HIM and our home.
I think the reason it is devalued is maybe the full-time out-of-home worker concentrates on day work, then the home is attended to later…if they aren’t tired, errand, etc. The homemaker makes life easier for everyone when they come home from work – no extra stuff for them to do, therefore, more time to relax (maybe) and enjoy the home they are working hard to pay for (a personal assistant without pay?). Homemaking is a full-time job without kids as long as you have the motivation and drive to make your home the best it can be. If you’re lazy, homemaking won’t work for you. It’s about MAKING a home, not BREAKING a home. So KUDOS to all of us with the WILL and MOTIVATION to make life better for others!
MAN YOU WANT TO COME LIVE WITH ME. MY GIRLFRIEND DOESNT WORK AND IS LAZY. I TAKE CARE OF ALL THE BILLS, TAKE CARE OF OIL CHANGES. CLEANING HOUSE ETC. SHE COOKS ONCE EVERY FEW DAYS. I CLEAN THE HOUSE. BATHROOM ETC.
Melissa, you’re right, that is a great question. I think being a homemaker is wonderful, and it does make life better for others. Thank you and Chelsea for commenting! I love hearing from other homemakers/housewives with no children. Thanks for your encouragement, Krista!
I loved reading that. I’m just getting over all the stigma about being a young housewie with no kids.
I love what I do. I’m 21 and have been a housewfe since age 19. I knit too. There are actually many things to do to around the house and outside it. It makes a hubby’s life easier and the wife’s as well. Plus, if you are Christian like I am, it’s in the bible.
I realize this is kind of an old post, but I like what you have to say. I’m a house wife with no children (both by choice) and I was surfing the internet for some reassurance that I’m ok…and to find people out there like me. Thanks for the encouragement!
Whoa, sentiments shared! I am also a homemaker with no kids. I get fed up of people asking me what I do all the time! This is how I reply:
http://www.themodernhomemakers.com/case-study-2011-intelligent-housewife-syndrome/
Thanks for sharing
I am a stay at home housewife. I don’t have a dog, even. I honestly find tons to occupy my time. Between grocery shopping, cleaning, fixing things that need repair, and my writing/artwork – there is plenty to do. My husband doesn’t have an illness but we both take care of each other. I don’t have children and often wonder if I would ever want them. My life is full as it is.
Love this blog! I feel reassured that I’m not the only person who values myself, my home and husband enough to focus on these things wholeheartedly. Thanks!
I applaud housewives, including my own, for all the work that they do. I know some husbands spend a lot of time expecting the work, and not enough time appreciating the work. I know what it’s like to do housework, and it’s more laborsome than a lot of paid work. For that reason, I think more housewives need to get out and do more than just work. You have to enjoy yourselves some too. Not all our time spent at work is labor, we take breaks and socialize while working also.
It is hard work managing a household. I do not have time to talk on the phone, shop, lunch with friends, or watch television. I don’t even have time to bake cookies (which is what Hillary Clinton thinks women who stay home do all day long). I am so busy running errands and cleaning the house, that I sometimes get exhausted. I can’t stand career people who sneer at housewives. That being said, I would definitely get a job if my husband became unemployed.
I became a housewife on accident, and then by choice. My husband and I both lost our jobs around the same time 15 months ago, he has since gone back to work and I stay at home. I am enrolling in college again, full-time online through a local community college. I asked my husband many times what he would want me to do, and all he has said is that he wants me to be happy. I recently started reading the Bible more and realized that I wanted to become a housewife with purpose, and more than that I knew that is what God wants. We tried to get pregnant and eventually realized that we could explore adoption. In the meantime, I am a housewife without children. I am so glad that I am not alone. There are a TON of things to do inside and outside of the house that keep me busy. Honestly, I love it. I am so glad this is how the beginning of our marriage turned out.
I am a housewife also with no children. I was pregnant this year but lost the baby. We recently moved from my home town because my husband is in the military. Even though I lost the baby, my husband and I decided that me staying at home will be for the best. I absolutely love being a house wife. There are times where I am extremely busy such as running errands, paying bills, and doing house work, but there are times where I get to get out the house and just enjoy life. I plan to go to school this summer to further my education. Being a housewife has also strengthen our marriage. We are happy and that is all that matters.
Wow! I am so glad I found your website. I never wanted to not work, but that changed recently. I realized last year that I had lost myself in my work. After 11 years with an company, I no longer had any real hobbies or interests. All I did was work, work, work, sometimes 60-70 hours in a week! I went from a creative, fun and passionate woman to a tired, cranky, overworked, and resentful person. To the world, I had I wonderful job – great pay and benefits, but for me I was paying a very large price…my peace and sanity. Thank you, Jesus, that I have such a wonderful husband, who saw this and felt it in his heart to make change. Last year, we sat down and started to make a plan to move to Orange County, which is about an hour from my hometown and where I lived and worked. We set goals and with God’s grace we accomplished them! Now, a year later we are here. I love where we live. My husband has a great job, and I have a break from work and all the craziness. I am now a housewife with no kids, just one puppy, and I couldn’t be happier. I have finally found true peace. I am enjoying every moment of being a housewife (which yes, is a full time job!), while renewing myself:) Thanks ladies for the messages, it really makes me feel better. I was starting to question whether I was the only other housewife with no kids, who is happy and productive.
I meant “a company” in the third line:)
My partner and I have discussed my future, and instead of going to school for nursing, I would love to be a homemaker. We both don’t want children. The problem is, I don’t know if I can deal with the criticism. I’m a strong woman, feminist, and Buddhist…yet the thought of being judged makes me nervous.
It’s even harder because I’m young. My partner and I aren’t even engaged yet.
All of you ladies have given me hope though.
Thank you so much to all of you for your words. I’m 34 and I have two older teenage boys that live between my house and my ex-husbands. My husband now and I have been married for almost 9 years. During which I’ve worked 7 of those years, recently I took a year off of work and after the initial boredom wore off I totall fell in love with staying home. The cleaning the cooking, I actually love it all. Now I’m back at work, a decision to pay off our bills brought me back, but I’m literally miserable. I am so worried about how people look at me when I say I don’t work and don’t have kids at home. They just say oh, it is hard to find a job. Assuming I can’t find work. When thats’ not the case. My husband says he wants me home, that I am happier when I’m there. He makes enough to support us but I’m also an avid coupon-er and that helps to pick up the slack.
So I appreciate reading how other people feel. I wish there was more support. Anyone feel free to email me directly, support is awesome!
You only live once, don’t be miserable. Enjoy your life, and if that means staying at home, then do it. All that matters is that you and your husband are on the same page. I get those same looks, but guess what, I don’t care. I am happy and peaceful. I can’t see myself going back to a traditional job. My goal right now is to find things I enjoy and turn it into some extra income. The opportunities are endless. Good luck ladies!
That’s exactly how I feel too!! I’m starting cake decorating classes and I would love to start that business from home. I’m sitting at my desk right now thinking about what I should be cleaning. So sad. LOL
Lol! I know exactly what you mean. You know, I strongly believe God puts those desires in our hearts for a reason. If you don’t follow what is in your heart, you will just end up regretful and miserable. Don’t end up regretful and miserable. I strongly encourage you to explore, and the cake decorating class is a great place to start. My sister and I are working on starting an online social network. I am really excited about it! Wish us luck! I will be praying for you.
Thanks! I’ll be praying for you too!!! Hopefully you post back on how its coming along for you!!
Thanks! I will. Keep us posted as well.