I’ve exclusively been the homemaker. At times I felt very frustrated, trapped; in retrospect I think it was my view of my circumstances more than my circumstances themselves. Having small children at home was hard, HARD for me, but I didn’t realize how temporary it was. My Dad’s wisdom was that putting your children’s welfare and development at the center of your life for a few years would make them strong and solid and ready to be on their own; and after that you could worry about them a lot less.

He was right. Not only that, but they are so much fun now. The eldest graduates this Friday and I’m going to miss having him around.

Someone here excused herself to feminists for feeling warm and fuzzy about making soup for her husband. If feminism means criticizing women who find it satisfying to do a kindness for a person they love simply because he’s male, something is wrong with it – it is limiting women rather than expanding them. Men, after all, can do a similar kindness for a beloved woman and be applauded. Kindness is kindness. Wives and mothers at home have a lot of opportunity to offer kindness to people they care about, and kindness feels good – we shouldn’t feel apologetic for that.