From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
140 Domestically Challenged
In this world of all sorts of challenges, to my chagrin, I have been labelled ‘domestically challenged’. And my self esteem is shot. (Not)
My saga started twenty years ago when my ex mother in law laughed at the way I was hanging clothes on the line! I had no idea there was a system or special way of hanging clothes that a) minimised ironing and b) sped up drying. Now, you may be thinking ‘shame’ on my mother , whom I fear is just as domestically challenged as I. She did her best but she hated cooking and also worked to support three children so if she was going to fall down in any area , I think she picked the best!
However, this has created difficulties in the rest of my life. Not only did I fail the ‘clothes hanging out’ test but I failed (and continue to do so) the washing test. Andrew , my beloved has taken over the washing in our household because he doesn’t want pink shirts, underwear and T shirts.
Is it a genetic thing? I try very hard. I check the clothes beforehand but some pesky little item that shares its color with everything somehow makes its way into my load. I am now an expert in ways to remove excess color. And no one told me about colors running. How are you supposed to know that unless you wring an item of clothing out very well, the colors will all drip down through the entire pattern?
The is no domestic manual full of these tid bits. My ex husband , for my first Christmas present , gave me Mrs Beeton’s bible of household things. He must have detected my genetic defect, but it still didn’t shed light on how I needed to perform these tasks with excellence.
Last weekend, while visiting a very close friend of mine, I offered to help her hang out several loads of washing. Her face blanched. She swallowed hard and said “NO”, and then pointed out that the last time I assisted her in this area, the clothes took a week to dry!
To add insult to injury, Andrew chooses to do his own ironing. Now, this is not a bad thing but he does so because, despite my best efforts, I failed the ‘ironing a shirt’ test as well.
And what about cooking? I am great if I can follow a receipe, as long as the receipe is correct and works. If I am required to season by taste I am in trouble. Of course I can taste when something is bland, I just don’t know what to add to it to make it taste great. To make matters worse, Andrew just happens to be one of those fabulous cooks who never looks at a receipe and always produces tasty meals, in minutes.
Are there other career orientated women out there who are similarly challenged? Is there not some inherited stream of consciousness and knowledge, passed through all generations of women that links all of us so that we are born with these inherent skills and talents?
I suspect I am not alone or why would we have cleaners and ironers and people who do those domestic things? These people are undervalued in our community in my opinion! They should be revered as talented and creative individuals.
But the real acknowledgment should go to the mothers who run a household and work. Personally, I think running a household is a monster challenge and full time job. Add children to the list, and now we are looking at superwomen (and men of course). If one of these gifted individuals manages to have a career as well, they should be knighted. If they are still living with a man as well , they need huge financial recognition! If they are bringing up children on their own as well, perhaps Sainthood is appropriate?
Anyway, I just want to congratulate all those people out there who do not suffer from my affliction. And to give hope to those who are in my situation, find someone who takes pity on you and takes over those tasks that induce failure for you. You do the things that you are brilliant at, maybe you’re better at cleaning! PS I AM good at cleaning.
