Homemaking Daughters

The vision of virtuous daughters on the homefront is a precious treasure which we must be faithful in passing down to the next generation of daughters. Mothers know how important it is to equip our daughters with lifeskills that will benefit them for the duration of their lives. We truly must help our daughters to redeem the time and make careful use of their precious youthful years.

Parents will be wise to direct their daughters when they are young to fill their time with godly pursuits. When they are little, to celebrate and read stories about the love and joys of homemaking, and to set before them an example: of a mother rejoicing in her work to the Lord and as she directs her family’s hearts toward heaven and home. Mothers must also have the foresight to include her young daughter in tasks around the home such as cooking, baking, cleaning, dusting and gardening with her as she performs them and begin cultivating the love for homemaking at an early age.

Some simple ways to prepare a daughter who has not really learned any homemaking skills would be to find out where her interests lie. I highly suggest praying, if you have an older daughter in whom you are trying to cultivate a love for home arts, that the Lord would direct your steps as you carefully and eagerly teach your daughter new experiences on the homefront. If you have several daughters, like I do, you will want to find out what her giftings and strengths are—sometimes a daughter might not be interested in embroidering but might be interested in cake decorating. Oftentimes I have found you might find that if one daughter has enthusiasm in an skill the other will follow suit and ‘jump on the bandwagon’ so to speak and both will be simultaneously learning in the same area. Our family has been blessed to see older examples of girls who are quite accomplished and creative in the realm of home. This had been a wonderful contributing factor in inspiring my girls along with setting a high mark for them. As a mother, I like to spur them on with empowering statements such as ‘Wow, look at this blanket/dress/cake! Isn’t that incredible? You could do that—I know you could!”

As a young girl, I was very blessed to have a mother who took the time to teach me some of the basics of how to sew, cook, clean and run a home. When I was a newlywed, I did not have to struggle as much as some because I was taught by my ever-loving mother. Surely, I have had to learn alot more on my adventure of having 8 beautiful children– but priceless was the time invested in me. Likewise, we must remember the time you invest in your daughter(s) are eternal and our efforts are surely not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

My two older daughters (12 and 17) have learned to do many things around the home. I want them to be well rounded so I have taught them how to do all kinds of things–cleaning, cooking, making crafts, teaching, painting, embroidering, flower pressing, taking care of little ones, sewing, gardening, knitting, scrapbooking, decorating, hospitality, ministry from the home, learning an instrument or two, baking and on the list goes. It is ever so important to give them the time and the tools they need. I know of many families that will shower their daughters with tools for the kitchen or sewing machines and fabric on their birthdays instead of buying the newest and latest gizmos. They are investing in their futures homes and in their future grandchildren. What a blessing to have older daughters who are learning to be accomplished in the domestic arts!

Remember to shower your daughters with praise and be ever patient with them as they try new things. Kindly and patiently instruct. Teach them with example as well as with words. Encourage, encourage, encourage—that is key to fanning flame into fire and igniting a love for learning and building a vision that entails a love for the sacred home that one day they too, will govern.