BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

As a young housewife I derived so much pleasure from doing my own housework. I’d proudly gaze at the snowy white nappies flapping briskly in the summer breeze along with the other washing. In every room a lovely lavender scent wafted from the gleaming furniture.

Once the house was spotlessly clean, I’d tackle the floors, a chore I really enjoyed in the freezing winter months. Armed with a bucketful of piping hot, sudsy water, I’d go on my knees and get those floors clean. Yes, I could easily have used a mop, but it just wouldn’t have been the same.

In later years I’d walk the children to school and back and in the afternoons, while supervising homework, I’d cook something tasty for supper.

For many years I revelled in being an active stay-at-home mom but eventually, dictated by finances, I accepted a halfday position and did the cooking and cleaning in the afternoons.

I was so completely out of touch with the job market I couldn’t even operate a fax machine, never mind the computers that were soon to make their appearance everywhere. But I soon got the hang of modern technology and was offered the position full time.

For the next 30-plus years I worked hard, enjoying every minute of it, and was rewarded with several promotions until my retirement.

I truly appreciate that I was able to experience the best of both worlds, being a supermom until my children were well into their teens, and then being able to become an equally productive member of the workforce.

WELL-ROUNDED, EMAIL