Maybe more for the ladies!!

[ajs88]

you and many other women on this forum have gone against the ideas of what women should be or aspire to be, wever that be a perfect stepford wife or a career girl, in order to find real happiness essentialy. thats not political or gender based, it's just being in tune to what makes you happy and having the confidence to persue it. this could possibly be quite a contrast to the life woman who emailed you that comment

i quite like the term 'homemaker' which seems to be used a lot in america

[thesunflowergal]

Thanks everyone, someone of the replies really made me chuckle and made me feel happier.

It was the word "little" that I objected to. I don't really like the term housewife either though lol, Rosey and MMM you hit the nail on the head. Majority of the "stay at home Mums" that I meet are the spotless house, might break a nail type!! I need a few more ishy style friends.

I thought about it, and I think that she is jealous. She has to go to work four days a week, and she has said that she would much rather stay at home with her daughters. I guess that I am lucky that I get to stay at home with my daughters, and that I have time to do these things (grow veg etc) which makes me very happy. I have no intention of changing, and only plan to get ishy-er regardless of what anyone thinks or says.

Thanks for the support

Nikki xx

[thefriarandme]

I'd agree that the word 'little' is a poor choice.

But just remember ... it's her problem not yours.

[eccentric_emma]

Yes it is a poor choice, and I think you're definitely right that she is jealous. I always find that the people who are condescending/patronising/damn right insulting to me are usually jealous that I'm generally such a smiley happy person despite having little in the way of material things and conventional 'success' (i.e. job)

I've never had a truly happy person upset me!

[Rosendula]

I've never had a truly happy person upset me!

Why hadn't I realised this. This is one of those statements that will be repeated lots of times. Now you've said it, I can't think of anyone who has ever upset me who was not miserable with their own lives. And I can't think of anyone who is 'truly' happy with their lives who has ever upset me. Emma, your a

[thesunflowergal]

I've never had a truly happy person upset me!

Why hadn't I realised this. This is one of those statements that will be repeated lots of times. Now you've said it, I can't think of anyone who has ever upset me who was not miserable with their own lives. And I can't think of anyone who is 'truly' happy with their lives who has ever upset me. Emma, your a

I agree too!! I will remember this the next time that someone upsets me. Thanks Emma

[Wombat]

So are men who keep chickens and grow veg housewives, too?

Boy oh boy, I'm a housewife?

Mrs Wombat will be thrilled!

Nev

[eccentric_emma]

I've never had a truly happy person upset me!

Why hadn't I realised this. This is one of those statements that will be repeated lots of times. Now you've said it, I can't think of anyone who has ever upset me who was not miserable with their own lives. And I can't think of anyone who is 'truly' happy with their lives who has ever upset me. Emma, your a

I agree too!! I will remember this the next time that someone upsets me. Thanks Emma

You're welcome guys! It's such a simple thing to remember but really helps if other people are getting you down. It's the bit of advice I give out most often!

[SarahJane]

I agree with the above posts, she is probably just jealous. Maybe she looks at your life and would love it for herself.
I dont like the word "housewife" I am not a wife but alot of the things I do such as grow veggies, make chutneys etc would be considered "housewifey", so what new word should we use?

[thesunflowergal]

I personally use stay at home mummy. I realise that this is not to everyones taste, I prefer it to the others. But I sometimes think that its a shame that we need a label!!

[invisiblepiper]

miraculist!

[ajs88]

I've never had a truly happy person upset me!

This is quite possibly the best quote that I have heard. Now, how do I become a truly happy person? Hmm...

[Rosendula]

I usually tell people we're self sufficient-ish I point out that OH goes to work for money to pay bills, and I work the garden and allotments, and in the kitchen to provide our own food, wines, etc., etc. The replies usually include a smile and a comment about The Good Life. I can live with that.

[eccentric_emma]

Yes I get called 'Felicity Kendal' or 'Barbara Good' however I see that as a compliment!

I like to say I am working at the job of life itself. I do work on and off (usually I take sabbatical over the summer if its possible), and tend to find that I'm far too busy in ordinary life to have time for a job!

[MuddyWitch]

And to bring things full circle:

The old English title 'Goody Surname' meant you were...a house wife!

(Most people will know this old title from Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible')

So maybe we should tell people we all Goodies!? (Or does that smack of Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden & Bill Oddie?)

MW