Comments on: 1940’s Fashion – Housewifes Daily Routine

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 05:21:33 +0000

I have to agree with Hestia…and ask: How did she get anything done when baby was screaming because he/she was hungry? I’m a breastfeeding mom and if I don’t feed my baby (and I’ve had two) every 2 hours, he’s screaming to eat. (She feeds him every 4 hours and 5 1/2 hours after the dinner feeding!) What did she do with the screaming baby when she was making beds, cleaning the living room?

By: Katy B, Hampshire UK

Katy B, Hampshire UK — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:12:14 +0000

I love the time for a bath and a cocktail!

I do think that although we have dishwashers and technology, there are some new tasks replacing the old ones. Checking emails, online banking. Plus these days it's seen as more important to spend time with your children and play with them for their development and emotional wellbeing, not just sticking them in a highchair or play pen for hours on end. Plus we're more safety conscious. I prefer not to clean the toilet with strong cleaners with a baby in tow!

I do think we can learn some things, like letting children learn to help with chores and entertain themselves for some of the day.

By: Hestia74

Hestia74 — Wed, 11 May 2011 04:06:36 +0000

That poor baby sure went hungry!

The "breastfeeding-on-schedule" was the kiss of death to the breastfeeding culture that still existed previous to WWII, and the precursor of lots of women not making "enough" breastmilk. (You need to breastfeed baby on demand in order to produce all the milk he requires- the more you latch him on, the more milk you produce, that's the mantra!). No wonder formula-making companies had such a field day, and are still ruling the nutritional lives of babies even today. :-(

By: The Vintage Bazaar

The Vintage Bazaar — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:36:54 +0000

Brilliant insight. Thank you! It has made me tired just reading about her day! Lizzie

By: devilishlypleasurable

devilishlypleasurable — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:48:02 +0000

Loved this post. "It is a wonder she has time to put on makeup" made me chuckle. One thing I love about older eras is impeccable grooming!

By: Brandi_enthusiastichomemaking.blogspot.com

Brandi_enthusiastichomemaking.blogspot.com — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:39:21 +0000

That looks like a typical day in MY life; only I never make the beds, I have twice as much laundry and children, and I also have a blog and an etsy shop….definitely busy, definitely tired; but I wouldn't change a thing! Although much of what I do is mundane labor, I still consider myself a manager of the household and know how pivotal my role is. Perhaps more women would have chosen otherwise if given the choice in generations past, but I suspect there were women who, like me, were happy to make a home for their family and considered it a blessing. Or course, I do have a dishwasher, which changes things significantly!

By: Lolita Haze

Lolita Haze — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:31:57 +0000

I am going to try to do this schedule tomorrow. Only I'll replace anything that has to do with familia with computer time! :-D

By: The Glitzkrieg

The Glitzkrieg — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:15:31 +0000

A wonderful book you may enjoy is Russel and Mary Wright's "Guide to Easier Living". Following the research done on the 1940's houswife's daily life, many moves were made to change the way that household duties were done. Even making the bed is detailed in the book – in a way that saves time and work. It's available on Amazon or in the back on Atomic Ranch Magazine.

By: vivcore

vivcore — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:40:22 +0000

Makes me super grateful for my dishwasher and free time!

By: Miss Rayne

Miss Rayne — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:30:19 +0000

Interesting difference of standard of living between US and UK, I don't think many families in the UK would have much silverware, even flatware was likely to be nickel or stainless. And the food problem was where to find it not how to prepare it.
Fascinating.