Homemaking Series: Lessons from Little Women

 "Whether you're single and living in your first apartment, a young couple buying your first home, a married couple with a few children, a single parent, a single solo adult, or baby boomers moving towards retirement, you can create a simple home that won't burden you financially or emotionally. When you build a comfortable and nurturing home, you'll feel like you've sailed into a safe harbour, that you're where you can be your best."

                                              Down To Earth ~ Rhonda Hetzel

I first became interested in the notion of 'homemaking' when I was on parenting leave with my first baby and homemaking blogs were becoming all the rage. People who spoke of their family, their homes, their cleaning routines, their meal plans and everything else that goes with being a homemaker suddenly held new interest for me. Although in the intervening fourteen years I have worked part-time outside the home (I am a teacher, currently teaching Spanish to primary school aged children) I suppose I have what Jennifer would call a "homemaker's heart." I still enjoy reading blogs but have also turned to the classic literature that I am reading for inspiration.

What is homemaking and why is it important?

Homemaking doesn't simply mean housework or cleaning, although this is certainly an important component, but takes into consideration the flow and rhythm of home life, leisure activities, routines and expectations, decor, food, relationships and people. When put like that, is it any wonder that homemaking is so important in creating an atmosphere of love, peace and security? Homemaking is not about perfection - perfect parents, perfect people or a perfectly kept homemaking, and thank goodness for that!

Homemaking in Little Women

I chose to focus on homemaking in Little Women because a) I have recently finished re-reading it and b) most of us know the story of the four March sisters and can relate to at least one of them. The joy and spirit generated in their home, although devoid of money or financial wealth, is one that continues to inspire today. 

    As young readers like to know "how people look," we will take this moment to give them a little sketch of the four sisters, who are knitting away in the twilight, while the December snow fell quietly without, and the fire crackled cheerfully within. It was a comfortable old room , though the carpet was faded and the furniture very plain, for a good picture or two hung on the walls, books filled the recesses, chrysanthemums and Christmas roses bloomed in the windows, and a pleasant atmosphere of home-peace pervaded it. 

There is no doubt that Alcott used such warm and vivid imagery to paint a picture of content and peace, to focus on the pervading spirit of the home, not simply the physical decor or how clean the space is. It reminds me of the post I wrote on creating a sanctuary in one's home and I know that this isn't everyone's idea of a place of rest and relaxation, but it certainly is for me! There is a classic notion of homemaking throughout Little Women which, as a lover the classics, resonates deeply with me. The ideas and tips within are not dated; they can be applied to any home today, regardless of budget or personal style.

Lesson 1: Tackle Homemaking Tasks Joyfully

Now, typically, this can be easier said than done. But take heart from this passage:

    "It was uninteresting sewing but tonight no one grumbled. They adopted Jo's plan of dividing the long seams into four parts, and calling the quarters Europe, Asia, Africa and America, and in that way got on capitally, especially when they talked about the different countries as they stitched their way through them."

What little games, thoughts or diversions can you create whilst doing a mundane task? Can you share the load and work with someone else, playing games or imagining grand dreams while you work? Or if you work alone, where can you guide your thoughts so that they are not bogged down in the ideas of drudgery and meaninglessness? Our attitudes towards the task that we undertake (both within the home and without) play a significant role in how we actually feel when we complete them. Isn't it worthwhile then to tackle them with a sense of whimsy or fun, to divert the mind into imaginary places and people or to muse on things that are pleasing and nourishing?

Lesson 2: Do All Things With Love

It doesn't matter how much money you spend in your homemaking; in fact, often the little things that are free mean so much more.

    "Not a splendid show, but there was a great deal of love done up in the few little bundles; and the tall vase of red roses, white chrysanthemums, and trailing vines, which stood in the middle, gave quite an elegant air to the table." (p26)

Here, I don't think that "elegance" was the aim of the table-setting, yet because it was done carefully and with "a great a deal of love," the effect was refined and pleasing. No expensive napery or "on-trend" dishes, nothing "splendid" to put on show and yet there is no denying the grace exemplified in this passage. 

    "There was a good deal of laughing, and kissing, and explaining, in the simple, loving fashion which makes these home-festivals so pleasant at the time, so sweet to remember long afterward, and they all fell to work."

The simple ways to create a home include laughter, affection and communication. These things only cost time, which unfortunately, we seem to be poor in these days. Whether you are living as part of a family or on your own, creating memories filled with laughter and love is so important for both homemaking and for our own wellbeing. 

Lesson 3: Find Balance in Your Homemaking

The chapter titled "Experiments" is one of my favourites in the book. As the family embarks on a time of vacation, respite from their daily jobs, they decide also to neglect their daily chores around the house for a real holiday spirit. Mrs March, however, warns them they this may not be such a good idea in the long run.

    "You may try your experiment for a week, and see how you like it. I think by Saturday night you will find that all play, and no work, is as bas as all work, and no play."

Without giving too much of the story away, this is exactly what happens. I know that when I become resentful or tired of my daily chores and decide to give them away for a day or two then the end result is so much worse. Finding a balance in the way we approach our chores makes our leisure time all the more sweeter. 

    "Next morning, Meg did not appear till ten o'clock; her solitary breakfast did not taste good, and the room seemed lonely and untidy, for Jo had not filled the vases, Beth had not dusted, and Amy's books lay scattered about. Nothing was neat and pleasant but "Marmee's corner," which looked as usual..."

Finding a balance can also refer to delegation. Choosing who will do which chores at what time (if you live with other people) or delegating chores for certain times of the day as your energy and time permits. Setting up a simple schedule to keep on top of things can be immensely helpful if you are just starting out on your homemaking journey. 

Lesson 4: Homemaking Is a Blessing to Others

Rhonda Hetzel says in her book, Down to Earth:

    Try to work with an open heart. You are your own boss in your home; be kind to yourself and take the pressure off - you don't need to be perfect. 

I don't think the March family ever gave any indication that they were striving for perfection when it came to homemaking, but they certainly did work with open hearts. They worked for their love of each other and saw that work as a blessing for others. When Meg started to prepare for her own small home ('The Dovecote') right before her marriage, we see all the ways in which her friends and family support her in this blessing.

    "People who hire all these things done for them, never know what they lose; for the homeliest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them, and Meg found so many proofs of this, that everything in her small nest, from the kitchen roller to the silver vase on her parlour table, was eloquent of home love and tender forethought."

Lesson 5: Know Your Limitations

Whether it is energy, time or money, knowing your limitations when it comes to homemaking (indeed even in life) can make the whole process much easier. Sometimes, though, this is easier said than done!

    "In the kitchen reigned confusion and despair; one edition of jelly was trickled from pot to pot, another lay upon the floor, and a third was burning gaily on the stove. Lotty, with Teutonic phlegm, was calmly eating bread and currant wine, for the jelly was still in a hopelessly liquid state, while Mrs. Brooke, with her apron over head sat sobbing dismally."

The chapter entitled Domestic Experiences demonstrated just how easily we can become overwhelmed at home. Have you attempted to try something new (like making currant jelly), but ended up discouraged and disheartened with a world of mess around you? Take heart, you aren't alone! Or perhaps, you have succumbed "like many a modern Eve," and spent money that you didn't have on a lovely, but quite unnecessary new dress. Knowing our limitations in this area, and more importantly, sticking to them, can be difficult but in the long run saves us from regret and the waste of time and/or money. Using our time wisely when it comes to homemaking is incredibly important. And just as important as not over-exerting ourselves, we should try and be wary of being too lazy (see tip number 4 and the chapter entitled "Lazy Laurence"). 

When I first set up this concept of A Classical Life, it was to motivate me to live life inspired by the classics. I felt that I didn't necessarily like or agree with the way society was telling me to live and wanted to reclaim some autonomy over my life. I have always loved to read and have read very widely in my life, but find that it is in the classics - stories that have stood the test of time - that I find the most inspiration. As a part-time teacher and full-time homemaker and mother I loved reading Little Women from the perspective of a homemaker, taking inspiration from the four very different young ladies and of course their mother. Surprisingly, I find myself looking more and more towards Mrs March's ways, the advice she offers her girls, the way she tends to her own faults quietly and diligently (I too, struggle with my patience and temper) and her overall approach to life.

Who do you take inspiration from when it comes to homemaking? Do you look to mothers or grandmothers? Homemaking books or Youtube influencers? Or do you look back at the classics for a more steady and balanced approach to homemaking? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!