Being a Housewife is a Full-time Job

By Syeda Fatima Shahid

“What did you even do all day?” It’s a common question many women hear from their partners. Some men may not realize that managing a home is a full-time job. They might think only office work counts as real work, overlooking the hard work women put into running a household. Being a housewife is a full-time job. It’s time to change the narrative: women are not just housewives; they are homemakers; handling many important tasks. Let me break it down for you.

Being a Housewife is a Full-time Job

Society often undervalues the efforts of women, but this doesn’t mean they’re worthless or free all the time. Being a housewife comes with unique responsibilities and challenges. A homemaker manages daily home chores including cooking, washing, cleaning, nursing, teaching, and child care. She also handles financial management, emotional support, and scheduling families activities. These tasks might seem simple, but managing them all in a balanced way is challenging. A woman has the ability to handle this efficiently.

Emotional Labor

A housewife is the backbone of her family, providing emotional support to her husband and children. She listens to them and provides care and support. If her children are having a difficult day then as a mother, she ensures to understand what’s bothering them, makes them feel loved and understood, laughs, and plays with them no matter how exhausted she feels. She also supports her husband through his rough days, manages to handle his mood swings and frustration, tries to ease his problems, and stands and compromises with him in difficult times. All of this is done while neglecting her own emotions.

Time Management

Women are good at time management. They play multiple roles and responsibilities without any break. Their day begins with waking everyone up, and getting their kids ready for school, including giving them a bath, brushing their teeth, brushing their hair, ironing their uniforms and packing their school bags. Then they take care of their husband’s clothes, files, laptop, wallet, and car keys and ensure everyone has breakfast. After sending them off, they have another set of tasks waiting for them such as washing dishes, mopping floors, putting everything back in place, cleaning rooms, changing sheets, doing laundry, buying groceries, cooking, picking up the kids from school, feeding them, spending time with them, helping them with their homework, welcoming their husband, and finally preparing their favorite dinner and getting them ready for bed. This routine is repeated daily and it is remarkable how a woman manages everything so well and on time. What if she does not take care of these chores on time? A question to those who ask “What did you do all day?”

Financial Management

Managing a household budget is one of their responsibilities. A woman tracks electricity and gas consumption, manages grocery, spending wisely, and handles month-end finances while saving for emergencies. Even though the husband is the sole breadwinner but housewives know where and how to spend that money effectively. They keep track of due dates for bills, maintenance, school vouchers, and other expenses, helping the household finances in order.

Work-Life Balance

Women have a lot on their plate, making it challenging to achieve work-life balance. They struggle to find personal time and take a break from their duties. Hobbies, social connections, and time for self-growth are important for everyone’s wellbeing, so it’s essential to have time to relax and enjoy favorite activities. Husbands and children should step up and give their mothers and wives a break from their routine. Just as she takes care of your needs, you should also do the same for her.

You should now see how housewives handle all the chores and care for everyone’s needs. They keep the home safe and loving, maintain relationships, care for you when you’re sick, cook delicious meals, manage problems, and keep track of your commitments.

Now is the time for us, as a society, to recognize the hard work of women, who have the ability to provide comfort and create a nurturing home. Their efforts go beyond just managing daily chores, so let’s truly appreciate and value their contributions.