A place to come home to

«Rule One: No news broadcasts at meals, no newspapers. No shop talk, no business or financial matters, no discussion of ailments. No political discussion, no mention of taxes, or of foreign or domestic policy. Reading of fiction permitted en famille — not with guests present. Conversation limited to cheerful subjects –» «No scandal, no gossip?» demanded Aunt Hilda. «A matter of your judgment, dear. Cheerful gossip about friends and acquaintances, juicy scandal about people we do not like — fine! Now — do you wish to ratify, abolish, amend, or take under advisement?» «I ratify it unchanged. Who knows some juicy scandal about someone we don’t like?»
«The Number of the Beast» by Robert A. Heinlein

I recently stumbled upon the following image, ostensibly from a 1950’s home economics book:

While the quote might seem dated, the underlying message still holds relevance today. Especially today when the lines between work and private life blur. When many (white collar) people had (the opportunity to) work from home.

Yeah, despite the dated message, we still need a place to come home to.

To have a place where we can decompress, do something different, leave work behind us.

If you have started a traditionalist family, good for you, you already have it. Kudos.

If you are in a relationship in which both are working, there are likely similar ways. For example, a few general rules about the time immediately after work. (Which, BTW, is rather strange if you think about it, leaving it to the state to raise your children. But that’s something for another posting.)

Or if you are living single, to go through the apartment before leaving for work. Make sure you find an oasis of peace and quiet when you return. And yeah, peace also includes the visual. So you might want to wash the dishes before leaving. (I’m doing it in the morning while the coffee maker is busy on the stove).

Because no matter who works, home should be a place of rest, esp. after work.