| Responsibilities have to be taken care of by all of | | | | 5. Reduce your errands |
| us irrespective of what our ages are. We have to | | | | These days, one does not need to go to buy |
| get our work done by the end of the day. Of | | | | groceries. Most of the major retailers allow us to |
| course, office deadlines may sometimes be | | | | shop online for our daily necessities. Phoning for |
| delayed to an extent. We can come home and | | | | home delivery has become quite a habit. |
| relax. However, if one is a housewife (or a | | | | Nowadays, even the running around and long lines |
| househusband for that matter) ending the working | | | | that are associated with paying bills can be done |
| day is quite something. There is always something | | | | away with. One can arrange for the bills to be |
| more to be done. The dinner has to be cooked. | | | | paid directly through the bank. |
| Clothes have to be washed. Children have to be | | | | 6. Don't leave chores pending |
| helped with their homework. There is so much to | | | | Sometimes, there is the temptation to leave a |
| do. | | | | chore pending. However, this may end up taking |
| We cannot neglect a housewife's labor of love. | | | | away our leisure time. For example, it is always |
| Her day starts in the morning and ends only with | | | | easy to clean the table just after a meal. But |
| bed-time. Clearly, long working hours are involved. | | | | when we come back to it even an hour later, |
| Naturally, the housewives of the world become | | | | wiping off the hardened remnants of the last |
| irritable and tired when it is bed time. | | | | meal might be somewhat tougher. |
| However, housework need not take up all of | | | | 7. Avoid unnecessary chores |
| one's day. Some short-cuts here, a few quick | | | | We all have our share of wasteful tendencies. But |
| tricks there, and the housewife can end up with a | | | | one must identify the tendencies that end up |
| lot of free time on her hands. Here are some tips | | | | frittering away our time. Much of the day can be |
| which might benefit all housewives. | | | | spent ironing out creases on clothes that might |
| 1. Club jobs together | | | | just remain in the cupboard for many months. It |
| A lot of time gets wasted in doing just one chore | | | | makes much more sense to iron only the clothes |
| at a time. At such times, multi-tasking becomes | | | | that we will be wearing the next day. |
| necessary. I don't mean that one should vacuum | | | | 8. Use technology |
| with one hand, iron with the other, and take calls | | | | Technology is supposed to make our lives a |
| at the same time. However, one can save time | | | | whole lot easier. Thus, a vacuum cleaner is easier |
| by doing the day's cooking at one go, or by | | | | to use than a broom, and a dishwasher does cut |
| mowing the lawn while the dog gets some | | | | down on the time spent in washing dishes. We |
| exercise. | | | | must look out for technology that adds comfort |
| 2. Let the children help you | | | | to our lives. |
| Sharing the workload is a good idea. One may be | | | | 9. Think about hiring help. When one gets sick, |
| slaving away trying to turn a house into a home. | | | | much of the work remains undone. Rather than |
| However, messy children or an untidy spouse can | | | | keeping the work pending for oneself, it may be |
| make your efforts seem useless. One should not | | | | get the assistance of some hired help. This way, |
| have to pick up after the rest of the family. In | | | | one does not get too stressed while recovering, |
| fact, they should be made to help out in the | | | | and the house also remains spic and span. |
| house. | | | | 10. Set aside some free time |
| 3. Don't be a Super-housewife | | | | A housewife may just spend most of her hours |
| A lot of housewives make the mistake of | | | | at home. However, this does not mean that she |
| imagining themselves as superwomen. | | | | gets time to herself. Just as the office-goer needs |
| Homemakers must not trick themselves into | | | | the occasional break from office work, |
| believing that they are blessed with super powers. | | | | housewives must make sure that they take |
| The idea is to not take on unnecessary loads. One | | | | breaks. Setting aside some leisure time is a must. |
| should space out the work, take breaks, and not | | | | This would give one the chance to pursue one's |
| try to do too much at a time. | | | | hobbies or spend quality time with the family. |
| 4. Make a household agenda | | | | These are some tips that experienced |
| Time management is very important when it | | | | housewives swear by. Effective time |
| comes to housework. A routine allows you to | | | | management holds the ultimate secret. In fact, by |
| work with ease. Working some breaks into the | | | | effectively managing her time, even the most |
| schedule is recommended. Dividing the day's work | | | | harassed housewife may be in a position to start |
| into bite-sized chores may also help you a great | | | | cultivating some hobbies as well. |
| deal. | | | | |