Housewives routines of the past

[TimeWasting]

Dad was telling me about his Mums routine when they were kids.

She'd get up at about 6, put on her housecoat and light the range. She'd do housework all morning and have their dinner ready for 1pm, Grandad would come home for dinner of course.
Then she'd wash up and have a lie down.
Then get dressed properly and have a cup of tea. Days work done.

Thought that seemed quite reasonable.

The trouble is now we have to many things distracting us (Computer etc).

That's my excuse!

Oh I know.

I just love the idea of finishing (as much as you can with a gang of kids) at 2pm and having a siesta.

Apparently it used to be considered very bad practice to leave your washing hanging outside on the line if you were out of the house! My Grandmother would bring it all in again if she had to go out to the shops or collect a child from school.

I didn't know about this till my Mum came to stay. I had my washing out and we were going out somewhere. Mum asked in a surprised voice if I was leaving it out, commenting that Granny would have thought it "slovenly."

Sorry Granny!

What did they do with the kids? How did they nap with kids about?!

Haha there's no way that's happening in my home while I'm on Maternity leave

I was thinking that, Iggly. Did they not have babies, then? Or were they parked in prams at the bottom of the garden, catterwauling all afternoon?

Who made the tea?

Who put the children to bed?

My Dad was second youngest, so I doubt this was the same routine as when there were still babies if he can remember it.

The children spent most of their time playing out and helping with the family businesses when not at school.

Of course there was still things to do, but compared to scrubbing the steps, blacking the grate and hand washing 8 peoples clothes, putting the kids to bed could hardly be considered 'work'.

Maiden aunt as well iirc lived with them.

I want a housecoat after reading this! And a nap, come to think of it.

Apparently my gran had a tea chest she'd put the smallies in as a proto - playpen, while she worked on veg patch / went for water etc (fifties, early sixties)