The Washington times., 1929-02-02
THE HOME-MAKER By
HOusekeeper's Job
Is a Noble
Calling
By Beatrice Fairfax
An Authority on Problems Of Love
and Marriage

ana MaFFiaSo
SCNIo occupation That Is the
~ way the United States
census lists women when they
are engaged in the occupation Of
wifehood, motherhood, and home
making.
Most of us know, and many Of
US are fortunate enough to have
in our own homes, home-maksr
who is on the job night and day.
At aalf-past six or earlier this
wife and mother is up to prepare
or supervise Dads breakfast. Then
the chances are she drives him
down to the S:15 and rushes back
10 get the children off to school.
Next come cleaning, bedmakins,
washing, ironing, marketing, cook
ing, more ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
work and planning ahead to keep
the home fresh. clean, inviting.
and her flock fit.
AS evening approaches, office
employees and factory workers
shut up shop and call it day.
Not so the home-maker. She has
the responsibility of dinner and
the children's bedtime. Also She
wishes to make home, the chill,
dren, and herself fresh md charm.
ing, so that whah Dad returns he
will find harmony aud happiness.
The successful wife and mother
seeks ever deeper significance,
more comfort, spiritual quality for
her home and the lives of those
who cluuster about her fireside,
She keeps in touch with new
knowledge of food values, new
thoughts about bringing up chill
dren and keeping them healthy,
constructive ideas about interior
decoration. such as colorful
rooms, dances at the club. books
theaters-all that will make her
home center of beauty and
culture as well as comfort and
affection, She is purchasing
agent for the home and can
double the family income by wise
management, Everyone in the
house. turns to her for good cheer,
counsel. comfort, and aid. Yet,
she is listed officially as one
having no occupation. More than
that, she has not an Individual
name of her own, but is known by
that of her husband
Is it to be wondered at that
some thoughtless girls are inclined
to turn away from a calling of
such seemingly coloriess.. self-ef-
Placement and choose careers with
bright rewards? 1t is pleasant to
be able to report, however, that
the General + e d eration of
Wemen's Clubs has =, asked the
United States Census Bureau to
see to it, when the next census
is taken, that hememakers shall
be so listed, and Government ma
chinery Is now moving i'm that
direction The matter of a mar.
ried woman's name will also
doubtless be set right one day,
Let us consider for a moment
how this career of wifehood,
motherhood and h o m m ing
really ranks in Importance and
the rewards it offers to those who
follow it conscientiously.
To have full responsibility for
the early formative lives of
. youngsters, shaping them physic-
ally. mentally and spiritually dur.
ing the first years. which deter
mine the success or failure Of
grown-up years, does not this
work alone give motherhood and
homemaking tremendous power
and dignity? Should not such
work be accorded full recognition
as well as gratitude,
Up.to-date schools now are
training young people in child
training and the business of home
making, so that many modern
girls look forward eagefly.
frankly to the heme.making to
which Mother Nature calls every
girl.
Much of the work connected
with this calling is being taken
out of the realm of drudgery
and made a real delight because
Of the self-expressian and artistry
that can enter into it. Like SO
many good fairies come to do
her bidding, elves of electricity
clean, wash, iron and cook for
the modern housewife.
81 think being married Is about
the incest thing a girl can do"
decided my friend Elsie. And
with that thought in mind Elsie
went through school, She learned
to perform equally well on a
piano and the kitchen stove,
She could cut and make dress
for herself or a dainty piece of
lingerie She was at home at