So What Is A Modern Traditional Wife, Anyway?

Well, that is a good question!

Here’s my take on the matter:

First and foremost, she has a healthy relationship with God. Maybe she hasn’t always, but she does now.

She also has a healthy relationship with her husband. In fact, she would probably consider herself submissive to her husband. Now, I don’t mean submissive in that “I’m weak, please do whatever you want to me because it’s not my place to stick up for myself or my children” kind of way, or in that (ahem) other kind of way that always seems to show up when you google “Wifely submission”. What I mean is that her husband is, in all respects, the man of the family. While he may not make all the decisions, and he may not make any major decisions without talking to her about it (and probably praying a lot, too), he is the Head of the family. She submits to him in subtle, meaningful ways, that raise up his standing to the children and in the community. She may, in most things, stand on an even level with him-for example, my husband considers us partners. But in our partnership, we both have responsibilities, and as his are far greater than mine could ever be, I do what I can to make his life easier.

She usually has children, or wants them. Mothering is an important part of her identity.

She is often college educated, but stays at home to care for her husband and children. I have worked, but I don’t any longer.

She is frugal, often by necessity. Living in today’s society on one stable income, is difficult. She may bring in some money with a bit of cottage industry, but it’s usually not a constant, so she has had to learn to budget for everything.

She isn’t a perfect wife or mother, although sometimes she struggles with feeling like she should be (more on THAT in a later post or twelve!).

She is more than content, she is happy in her role as helpmeet to her husband, mother to her children, keeper of her home. That’s not to say she walks through life with a Stepford like smile on her face, with fresh baked cookies at the ready, able to whip up gourmet meals or mudpies without getting her apron soiled. She is capable of thinking for herself, forgets to buy stuff at the store, is sometimes too tired for sex, and still needs a good cry once in awhile. Not because she’s sad, but because that’s the way we’re wired. She faces trials and challenges, disappointment and struggle, and not always with a smile on her face. But she does face them, head on, because she has a quiet strength inside that comes from many places-her relationships with God and her husband, her friends and her children. Her desire to take care of her family, and her own self worth. She also has joys beyond count, rewards beyond measure, and hugs to share.