I am a housewife. There, I've said it. It may not be a sexy title, but it's what I do. I'm a wife who stays at home and looks after the children and runs the home whilst my husband goes out to work. It's not something I feel forced to do because of my gender, but it's the job that I am currently doing and it's something that women (and some men) have done for years.
Women (and in the past there have been many more women than men) have been running homes for years and there's no doubt that we're doing as wide a range of things now as ever. Some of the role has changed due to advances in technology and household chores is one particular example – where there used to be a set "washing day" which involved a huge amount of physical labour that has now been replaced by the washing machine running most days. Whilst some things have got easier over time, other aspects of life have become more difficult. Mums at home used to have bigger local support networks as family would often be living in the same street and they could help with childcare and also provide company whilst husbands were out at work. With people moving away from their home towns to either study or work it's now quite rare that this is the case.
One thing that has remained the same for many housewives is the desire to bring in some extra income to either help with household expenses or to put towards something special. With the current economic situation more and more stay at home parents (both mums and dads) are looking for new ways to bring that bit of extra income home. A couple of years ago I wrote about my Nan's old Housewife's Handy Book and I thought it about time to revisit it and see what it had to say about this.
There's a whole section devoted to home money making, but I fear that not many of the tips it gives are that applicable in the modern world. With subsection headings including "when turkeys are profitable" and "selling silkworms' eggs" it's quite obvious how things have changed since the 1930s when this was published. The opening sentence of the section sounds quite comedic now:
When considering the broad subject of profitable spare-time hobbies one turns first and foremost almost instinctively to domestic livestock.
So, where am I going with this?
Before having children I was a career woman with a nicely paid job in central London. Three years later it still feels a bit strange that I no longer have my own independent income and I can't help but have a bit of a fear that if something were to happen to Mr C, his job or the company he works for I would need to find a way to earn an income again. It's a fear that many stay at home parents probably have. As suggested by the Housewife's Handy Book my thoughts turned to which of my hobbies I could turn into something profitable and in the modern day blogging is a hobby that can earn stay a home parents a bit of extra money.
It's not a role that new bloggers can just walk straight into, but after years of blogging here at Being Mrs C I do have an internet footprint that is worth something to brands – whether that be through reviewing products or hosting sponsored posts. With two children to support and in these uncertain economic times I would be crazy not to take these opportunities when they come. It's not what I set up this blog to do originally, but when I started blogging it was before I had children and I had no idea that bloggers worked with brands. My life has moved on since then though and supporting my family is part of being me and hence part of Being Mrs C.
Reading sponsored or featured posts may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I can promise you that everything published here is written by me and is completely honest. It is only fair to make it clear though that if a post is titled as "featured" then I have received compensation for writing it. Sorry if you don't like it, but it is just what Being Mrs C is like right now.
It’s lovely that you have taken time to write this. It’s one of those things that you don’t need to justify to anyone but it’s jolly decent of you to explain to readers. Blooming good on you Mrs C x
This is such a good post, lovely. xx
Hear Hear! So glad you’re finding a way to do what is needed and you’re a great writer – so all your posts are interesting nevertheless and, like you say, the real you. I am feeling and doing the same because it is necessary. 🙂
I am doing much the same now -it never occurred to me until I was asked, that there was money to be made from writing on my own blog!
And yes, I hope my readers don’t mind, I try to make my paid for posts interesting and always my own words and opinions.
You don’t need to justify it – its your blog and you do what you want, I enjoy reading it still.
Many thanks for the kind words Compostwoman. When I think back to when we both first met online I certainly would never have thought of us both making money from what we were enjoying doing. If anything I almost feel that the paid work is helping me increase my blogs quality too as I feel very conscious of making an extra effort with my writing. So glad that you still enjoy reading it. I was only talking about you just the other day to another blogging friend and I still get so much inspiration from what you write. x