How to Juggle Working In and Out of the Home
The elusive balancing act of doing it all. Can we, as women, do it all and do it well? Will we lose our minds in the process? Put our to-do lists before our relationships? Get fed up with our husbands? Hmmm, quite possibly! Here’s one woman’s story…
Dear Jolene,
Please provide me with info on how to juggle being the good wife at home, whilst also being a working woman. How do we juggle them both? My husband expects that I must be the manager of the home (I have a domestic only once a week), however, I work for a living too. I’m exhausted at the end of the day, just like he is, yet it is my job to still cook, do washing, bathing and feeding the kids (we have 3), get everything ready for the next day etc.. And still put in time at gym and with my hubby. And what does the husband do in the home? Nothing? His salary is not enough for us, so I work too, and therefore I am also a breadwinner (I earn what he earns). Surely he should also help in the home too?
Scripture Reference:
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:10-12
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Are you overwhelmed with it all? Do you feel like you’re drowning in all you’re responsibilities? Join me at the 2016 Homemaking Ministries On-line Conference. The theme for this year’s conference is Finding Balance in Your Home. There are 20 different sessions and 17 speakers. I’ll be speaking on, How to Create a Loving and Lasting Marriage When You’re Short on Time, Energy, and the Desire to Do So.
Need some help in finding balance in your home? Join us for this year’s Homemaking Ministries On-line Conference!
Live a poured out life for Christ,
Jolene Engle
Hi Jolene,
Thank you for this podcast. I am a working wife and mother. Neither my husband nor I have a college degree, therefore we both must work to make ends meet. I realize that God commanded Adam to toil the field and Eve to bear/rear the children, but does that mean that I am sinning against God’s command when I go to work? I love that you said “A woman’s heart will always be drawn back to her home.” I would love to be home with my children, but I do also love my job. I work for a wonderful philanthropy that grants millions of dollars every year to help improve the health of all Americans. The work that we do is so wonderful, and I absolutely value being a part of this work.
Please help me understand.
Blessings to you,
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Nope, you’re not sinning! 🙂 If your husband wants you to work outside of the home, then work outside of the home. And there is nothing wrong with getting fulfillment out of one’s work! Where a wife has to be careful is when it comes to her attitude toward her husband due to the fact that she’s working outside of the home. Will she be more critical of him, demanding of him, less respectful? This could be a meter one could use to gauge the situation. Always keep in mind that the most important thing is the relationships. What will your relationship be like with your husband and your children if you work outside of the home? Full-time. Part-time. Permanently. Temporarily. This answer will look different for every woman, but every woman will always be drawn back to the care and nuturing of her home/family because that is how God designed us. We want to do it all and we want to do it all well, but what is the main priority? It’s always best to choose building your marriage and family life over the money and career. I hope this helps!
It does help! And it calms my soul to know that I’m able to honor both my husband and God, while enjoying the work that I do outside of the home. Thank you once again for your wisdom, Jolene. I do enjoy to your podcasts!
Great concepts — I hadn’t ever thought of the fact that my husband isn’t as drawn to “homemaker” chores as me, just as I am not inclined to ignore those homemaker chores and put my career first. His focus is breadwinner, mine is homemaker (I work 3-4 days a week but my focus is the home). Makes sense! Thank you!