Let's Normalise A Bad Day In Homemaker's Life

We all have bad days at work. The day when the most interesting task doesn’t spark any energy in us. The day when duties, responsibilities and accountabilities turn into burdens that you cannot carry even for an hour. The day when everything goes wrong, from a task to the mood. What's stop us from normalising a bad day in a homemaker's life?

But it cannot be denied that a bad day at work has gained recognition and is allowed as a valid reason. But what about the bad day of a homemaker? Does that count as valid? Do homemakers, who are usually women in our country, have the freedom to complain about a bad day and get rid of the guilt of the mishaps?

It is undeniable that the importance of a homemaker in a person’s life is immense. From properly washed clothes to meals on time, everything is looked over by a homemaker. But do we recognise the role that homemakers play in our lives? Do we give enough credit to their efforts? A proof of this is the absence of any remuneration for homemakers. In addition to this is the predicament of not allowing the possibility of a bad in a homemaker’s life.

Let's Normalise A Bad Day In Homemaker's Life : What's holding us back? Let's talk

Men in Indian houses work hard and want to return to a table of"> good food and a comfortable bed. When it is a bad day, the expectations increase further because as many have said home is the place where we rest. But what if the homemaker who makes the home a place to rest is not well enough on a particular day? What if she (as most homemakers in our country are women) doesn’t cook a good meal, doesn’t flatten the crease of the bed properly or doesn’t clean the mess in the house? Do we allow her the freedom to commit such mishaps? In Indian households? No.

A still from the film Thappad.

It is assumed that women are raised to be good homemakers. One mistake raises questions over their upbringing, sasnskars and abilities. Women’s existence is construed to be all about serving the family. If they falter in it, their entire existence becomes a question mark. Moreover, the misconception that housework is the easiest and most comfortable job further blurs the possibility of burnout.

But dear society, housework is as much taxing as any other job. It starts before any formal job and ends when the world sleeps. There is no fixed timing or amount of effort in housework.

One day a homemaker might have to serve 1 person and 10 people on the next day. Moreover, the expectations to be always good adds more weight to the burden. So it is high time we start considering housework as an important part of our lives. And just like any other job, it should be remunerated and should be allowed the freedom to suffer from burnout. Homemakers are humans who get tired and need some space and air away from regular workdays. Not machines that turn on and off on demand.

Views expressed are the author's own.