My husband was doing our taxes last week and shouted a question to me in the kitchen, “Hey Nic, what’s your profession? Are you a homemaker?” 2008 was my first year as a stay-at-home mom so this question was new for me. The previous year the answer would have been a simple “proofreader.” I hesitated a moment, not wanting to say yes. I shouted back, jokingly, “Can you put Home Manager?”
There’s a stigma that comes with the title ‘homemaker.’ My back stiffens and I instantly think, I’m better than that. Shame on me. Fewer and fewer women have the privilege that I do. Am I priviliged because my husband has a fancy, well-paying job? *Giggle* Ummm, no. When I stopped working full-time outside my home it was because my husband and I decided that there was a higher calling on my life, to be a homemaker.
I like to think of myself as the Queen of my Castle, the Lady of the Land, the Home Administrator, the Vice President of Home Inc., OK I’m getting carried away. You get the idea. I like to inflate the title I hold. Have you noticed this everywhere else too? Cashiers and sales clerks are called customer service representatives and secretaries are administrative professionals. Please don’t be offended if you hold one of these positions. My point is this, what’s wrong with being proud of what you are doing? I should be proud and hold my head high that I’m a homemaker. My conversation with my husband ended like this:
He replied, “I can title your profession as whatever you want, there aren’t choices, just a blank space.” I paused again and replied, “Put homemaker.” I’m proud to be the person that cares for my home and my family … and everything else. 
If you haven’t done your taxes yet and your income is on the lower end of the scale like mine, you might want to go here and see if you’re eligible to file your taxes online for free.
Why I do what I do ~ This morning I told Chloe that her friends would be here soon. She looked at me strange and said, “They’re not my friends; they’re cousins.”
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
It takes more work then must realize to be a Homemaker. A homemaker makes a home and all that is in it. I am glad you are proud. Thanks for the post!
Oh gosh, I know EXACTLY what you mean! I think I struggle with it more when we are around friends, none of whom stay home with their children, and who all have pretty good jobs.
It was especially awkward when we were around some new people and one of my friends went to introduce me and said, “This is Courtney, she’s a ….” and didn’t know what to say. She ended up saying nothing and sort of kept talking. Next time this happens I will proudly say, “Hi there, I’m Courtney, and I’m a homemaker.”
Courtney’s last blog post..This is my future, and it looks like it has a bit of an attitude
That’s right!!
Homemaker is good. Housewife does sound a bit odd these days. But homemaker can apply to anyone regardless of male or female and regardless of whether they also have a “paid” job.
In Michigan, several county fairs host a Homemaker of the Year contest and the winners get to compete for the state Homemaker title.
And yes, the county Homemaker gets his or her name and photo in my newspaper. I’ve covered that event more than once.
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Great post!
That line on your taxes is not long enough to list all of our “professions”. Lol!
I am proud to be a SA*Homemaker*M, too!
For the most part, the people I have met have always been fine with me being a homemaker. One time, at a function with my husband, I met a woman who asked me what I did and I told her that I had just had a baby and had just quit my job to stay home with him.
She reacted as if I’d hit her. She suddenly lost interest in talking with me and acted almost hostile or something. I don’t know why she became rude after that. Her words after that seemed to indicate that she felt I was wasting my life by giving up my “career” to stay home. I have never felt that and never will.
momstheword’s last blog post..MY GROCERY STORE HATES ME
How about Chief Operations Officer of Home Inc? Ok, so maybe I get carried away too. I have embraced the Homemaker title. I feel privileged to stay at home and take care of my family. I know there are many women out there who are envious of my profession.
Liz’s last blog post..I shall call you Crimson