Is Full-Time Homemaking Valuable with Older Teens?

What does a "homeschooling" mom of older teens do all day if she isn't teaching any of their classes? Couldn't she be more valuable to her family if she was out making money to pay for college? Does a husband really need a full-time wife at home?

These are fair questions. College is expensive and is the mom really bringing anything to the table, or bringing enough to warrant her still not working outside the home? Does a man who works full time at home need his wife there during the day?

Something to recognize is the stability having mom home brings. Just her presence holds the house together and lets her near-adult children focus on school, which is their full-time job. They don't have to worry about meals, remembering to drink enough water or take their vitamins. Mom reminds them, helping them develop habits they'll hopefully take into their college years. She walks by putting a glass of water on their desk. They aren't distracted if the doorbell rings, or by their laundry, the tidiness of the house, if there is toilet paper in the bathroom, if there is a computer problem, the phone ringing, making appointments, and if they will have a ride when they need it. Mom encourages, gives hugs, pats on the arm while the kids are in online classes, listens to frustrations, edits papers and simply pours into her children by showing them they matter greatly to her by the work she does for them each day.

The nutritional value of meals prepared by mom is vastly different than if kids make their own meals. They do not have the time to prepare nutritious food in the midst of a school day, and at least in our home, they work up until dinner time. Nutrition is an oft overlooked area in our culture, and with how unhealthy Americans are (even though we're so wealthy), it shouldn't be. The brain functions at its best when it is fed properly day in and day out. Most husbands do not have the time or are not interested in nutrition as an area of study. Culinary art is time-consuming!

Aside from nurturing the children, the value of a full-time homemaker is seen in a multitude of other ways. The organization of the home--things like keeping the soaps filled, tissues stocked around the house, seed containers filled (if you eat plant based this is a regular task!), trash emptied, floors cleaned (people who are home full time make for a much dirtier house), under the cabinets organized, pantries filled, and longer term food preparation take time and thought. Refrigerators don't clean themselves and garages get messy fast if someone isn't able to keep on top of it. Likewise, food preparation isn't just an issue at meal times.

Today was 'make the overnight oatmeal containers' day and bean-cooking day. Simple things that take time but which won't get done if nobody does them. It is rare for people in America to be in their late 40s and not be on any medication. This goal can be reached in many cases by diet, but it won't happen without effort. A predominately vegan diet is not easy to switch to if both the husband and wife work full time. 

Running a home effectively frees up the other people living there to do their work with as little distraction as possible. It may not seem as valuable as a big pay check, but like many aspects of motherhood, the rewards are profound.