Housewife of the Year

[Gingernaut]

Documentary about the national competition

Looks very interesting and reminiscent of Father Ted.

As a working mum I wish I could go back in time and ‘just’ be a housewife.

MIL won the Munster Housewife of the Year and was in the national final when DH was a boy.

I'm really torn on this. On one hand it's hilarious and cringey. But on the other hand it's the only place I heard of acknowledging the work of housewives, or even mothers. They were always the backbone of society, but invisible.

What I find really insulting was the prize was a new cooker so she could keep making batches of whatever for her lucky husband. Surely she deserved a few nights away or restaurant vouchers so she could be served for once.

I think it's a fascinating insight into women's lives at a certain point in history. Women were so constricted by the church and society that this was seen as a glamorous outlet.

In a wider context, I had relatives who were fiercely intelligent and capable and their ambitions were thwarted by society. It's desperate to think of how their lives could have turned out given the opportunity.

Kudos to whoever thought of this documentary and interviewed these women. I can't see it as it's only released in Ireland but hope it's bought by netflix or some other provider.

I've been telling everyone to watch it as I think it's important. If anyone sees it I'd love to hear what you think.

Jesus @honeyrider
That's impressive.

Does your dh have very high expectations of your "housewifey skills" coming from that background?

No, I'm impressive in my own right 😉😉😂

I'm actually a national winner for creative ideas for feeding children. Without bragging I'm known to be a very good cook so I tell DH he's spoilt by my cooking plus his mum before he met me and his sister is a home economics teacher.

Your dh certainly is spoilt in that department @honeyrider
As someone who isn't a great cook and rarely bothers I'm impressed.

Wasn't there an episode parodying this very thing with Ted giving the prizes?

Yes! The Lovely Girls competition. They had to demonstrate how they cut sandwiches and navigate sheep pens. I believe it was based on the Rose of Tralee and Housewife of the year competitions.