Here are some quotes from the book:
"There is this to be said for the lot of the housewife--it is not an obscure calling. These days we are news (page 20)."
Not only was this true in 1960. This is true today! Just a few weeks ago there was a big to-do when CNN political analyst Hilary Rosen stated that Ann Romney, wife of Mitt Romney, never worked a day in her life. Her comment created a firestorm of activity surrounding the stay-at-home mom.
"The post office department, I see by the papers, is having trouble making ends meet financially (page 42)."
The headline of today's (April 18, 2012) Dayton Daily News: City's postal center to close, 432 jobs at risk.
"By and large, the world runs better when men and women keep to their own spheres (page 50)."
I don't know if I agree this particular idea. I did really like what she said in the book about the value of eduation and how it shouldn't just be measured against earning power or public works. I also liked her marriage advice, "...feed your man on a diet of pure affection...husbands thrive on love and wither without it."
She writes about kitchens, guest rooms, home decorating, thrift, marriage, parenting, education, cooking, housework, charity work, basically all aspects of a homemaker's life.
I have to say, I am happy with my (our) choice to be a stay-at-home mom. I can't imagine how we would have managed otherwise. In 1988 when I applied to teach in the Computer Science department at BYU, my department chair, Bill Hays, in response to my assertion that I only wanted to teach 1 or 2 classes because I wanted to be home with my children, said, "I firmly believe if people are going to have children they should raise them." He was so supportive of my priorities and yet he also enabled me to grow professionally. I ended up teaching there four years. When I quit teaching I had a big adjustment period. It took awhile before I discoverd that playing Lego's on the floor with a preschooler most of the day was a good day. I can honestly say now that my family is my greatest joy!
This morning I substituted in early morning seminary. I told the class, by way of introduction, that they could ask me three questions. One of the questions was, "what do you do?" I immediately and happily responded, "I mother."