Homemaking Daughters

Virtuous daughters on the home front has been quickly abandoned today and exchanged for empty, worldly, and shallow pursuits. It is a shame to see girls wandering aimlessly without any sense of who they are and ultimately having to 'find' herself (sometimes tragically and sadly)in a circle of foolish friends who lead her astray. We truly must help our daughters to redeem the time that is being idly lost and make wise use of their precious youthful years.

Parents will be wise to direct their daughters when they are young to fill their time with godly pursuits. When they are little to read stories about the love and joys of homemaking (Amish readers are good for this). To set the example for them as they go about celebrating the days at home that they might see mom enjoying and rejoicing in her work and to point their hearts in the direction of God and toward home and family. Mothers will be wise to include her young daughter in tasks around the home such as cooking, baking, cleaning, dusting and gardening with her as she performs them and begin cultivating the love for homemaking at an early age.

Some simple ways to entice an older daughter who has not really learned any homemaking skills would be to find out where her interests lie.. I highly suggest praying if you have an older daughter who you are trying to cultivate a love for home arts that the Lord would direct your steps as you carefully and eagerly teach your daughter new experiences on the home front. If you have several daughters, like I do, you will need to determine what their giftings and strengths---sometimes a daughter might not be interested in embroidering but might be interested in cake decorating. 

Oftentimes, I have found, you might find that if one daughter has enthusiasm in an area the other will follow suit and 'jump on the bandwagon' so to speak and both will be simultaneously learning in the same area. Our family has been blessed to see older examples of girls who are quite accomplished and creative in the realm of home. This had been a wonderful contributing factor in inspiring my girls along with setting a high mark for them. As a mother, I like to empower them by saying things like 'Wow, look at this blanket/dress/cake! Isn't that incredible? You could do that---I know you could!"

As a young girl, I was very blessed to have a mother who took the time to teach me some of the basics of how to sew, cook, clean and run a home. When I was a newlywed, I did not have to struggle as much as some because I was taught by my ever-loving mother. Surely, I have had to learn alot more on my adventure of having 8 beautiful children, but priceless was the time invested in me. Likewise, we must remember the time you invest in your daughter(s) are eternal and our efforts and surely not in vain.

My two older daughters (10 and 15) have learned to do many things around the home. I want them to be well rounded so I have taught them how to do all kinds of things--cleaning, cooking, making crafts, teaching, painting, embroidering, flower pressing, taking care of little ones, sewing, gardening, painting, scrapbooking, decorating, hospitality, ministry from the home, learning an instrument or two, baking and on the list goes.

A recent project for both daughters was to assemble and sew a fabric book from the craft store which they both did (pictures coming soon) which helped them to gain more confidence in their sewing skills. They have already sewed quilts and clothing and do most of the mending in our home. They also have recently started taking crocheting & knitting classes and use most of their spare time practicing their newly found skills. 

I also have a five year old, and as she watches her older sisters she so badly wants to learn to try her hand at it all also. What a blessing to have older daughters who are learning to be accomplished in the domestic arts! We still have a long way to go, but we are definitely off to a good start.

It is ever important to shower your daughters with praise and be ever patient with them as they try new things. Kindly and patiently instruct. Teach them with example as well as with words. Encourage, encourage, encourage---that is key to fanning flame into fire and igniting a love for learning and building a vision that entails a love for the sacred home that one day they too, will govern.

"Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace." Psalm 144:11-13


(Stay tuned for Part 2!)

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