Ok, Im not usually one to voice an opinion, Im usually the quiet one at the back of the room, listening and taking everything in. But when I read about
stitchingthenightaway 's Blog Hop I thought it was something that I could weigh in on.
The question asked was..
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?
My Answer is this:
My dear step mum bought me the joy of stitching when she joined the family when I was 7. I cant remember when i started, but I remember her happily stitching in her afternoon break. The housework, well it was just always done and I still dont know how she manages it all as she married into a family of 4 kids (Im the oldest) and she was only 27, and yet it all come so natural to her even after having 3 babies of her own.Although even now my father and brother accuse her of doing nothing and just like my Dear Husband, you dont dare let them see you with a cup of tea in hand or they think thats all youve done all day. Stitching for me early on was a stress releif after school or on weekends as I didn't go out and party or 'normal' teenager stuff.
These days, stitching is still my stress releiver. With 3 kids under 5, the house is never perfect, but what is done is done all by me. My husband leaves for work before sunup and gets home after the kids bedtime. He does mow the lawn (but that doesnt include picking up kids toys ect off the lawn beforehand, that is my job). My inlaws give off a vibe that if youre not in the workforce, youre lazy and thoughtless and as they live in the same town it can get draining. And they definatly look down at me for stitching when the house isnt sparkling 24/7 since I am home all the time.
So i think why people assume that we are the 1950s housewife is that they would assume that we only stitch after absolutly everything is done in the house. And to that I say 'piffle!' lol. Who wants to scrub windows everyday? As long as the dishes are done, everyones wearing something clean and the floor can be walked on and swept, and beds are tidy, mum can take a minute to herself, there are too many WIPs not too lol! As I told my Dear Husband the other day, I cant remember the last time I actually sat down to drink a cup of tea or coffee, I usually have a few mouthfulls and then find it a few hours later stone cold so i must be doing something right :P
So leave the duster in its holder, set the dryer instead of going out to the line and sit a little while!
Happy Stitching :D
