I’d like to introduce you to my sweet friend and fellow MoM (mother of multiples), Emily. She has a fascinating history and an amazing heart.
Emily was born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in a multicultural household of both Italian and Venezuelan traditions. By the time she was 15 years old she had lived in 3 different countries: Venezuela, Italy and the United Sates.
She told me she loves that she was exposed to multiple cultures, traditions and languages from the very start. “Naturally, ” she laughs, “I needed to add yet another layer of culture and language so I married a man from Morocco.” Emily met her husband Fouad in 2002 and they haven’t been apart since. Today they have 3 great kids, Omar (7), Nayma (6) and Samira (6).
Fouad and Emily enjoy raising their children in a multicultural, multi-religious, multilingual household. The kids eat everything from couscous to arepas to lasagna. They have been hearing English, Spanish and Arabic since they were in-utero and love all types of music. The family celebrates Christmas, Valentine’s Day, their versions of Easter and Halloween as well as Ramadan other Islamic holidays. What a wonderful environment for those lucky kids!
Interview with a homemaker: The kids eat everything from couscous to arepas to lasagna. Click To TweetIn addition to being a stay at home mom and homemaker, Emily is on the executive board of her local multiples group, Triangle Parents of Multiples. She and her husband also own a company called The Colors Of Morocco. This Etsy shop offers beautiful handcrafted items from Morocco, including poufs (footstools), home decor, unusual vintage items, and my personal favorite: Hand-crafted wool rugs. I am SO coveting this gorgeous, amazing Beni Ourain rug. It’s made of 100% hand-spun wool and uses vegetable dyes for the geometric patterns. It is ahhhhh-mazing. Emily tells me that they are able to work closely with the artists via their family in Morocco, and every item is hand selected. Stop in at her shop and check out all of her awesome items!
Emily, what do you think of when you think of the word homemaker?
I think of a person who takes pride in managing and running a household.
What do you think other people picture when they hear the term?
The 1950’ Stepford wife. Perfect hair, perfect makeup, perfect kids, an impeccable home and delicious meal always ready on time.
How do those images compare to your vision of yourself as a homemaker?
Completely different! I enjoy the everyday ups and downs of managing my household. Nothing here is perfect, but everything is done with care and love. I’ve burned meals, forgotten clothes in the washing machine and can’t remember the last time I had perfect hair and make up. Our household is loud and ever changing. We learn new things, change our routines and correct our mistakes. We love it here!
Why do you think homemaking is important and what makes it meaningful to you?
The union of our family’s life is based on our home. We all eat the meals I make, we wear the clothes we work together to clean, we play and have fun in the living room that I/we organized. I believe all of us are involved in the “homemaking” of this household and therefore take pride in it. I’m the manager and I take a lot of pride in teaching the kids how to maintain a household. When I was growing up my mom was a homemaker and I always appreciated having her at home. Now is my turn to enjoy the experience of having my house and raising my kids.
What does “making a home” mean to you?
It means taking an ordinary house and turning it into a safe place for us. The 5 people (and 2 cats) who live in this house should feel safe, happy, and proud to live here. Being involved in every part of what makes this house a home achieves that. Caring for it, cooking here, rearranging it, doing home projects, etc.
How do you balance work and home life?
Is a work in progress. Now with the kids going to school and having their own “social life” and homework, there seems to be fewer and fewer hours in the day to do things. We are trying to dedicate an afternoon a week that is all about the kids. During the week we make sure to have conversations and follow through with any project we may have. We also make sure the kids follow through with their chores and responsibilities.
What are your favorite parts of homemaking? Least favorite?
My favorite part is the pride in completing projects, and in reinventing rooms in the house. For example, the “dining room” recently became the “get ready room.” All of our shoes, coats, hair brushes & accessories are there. As the kids grow, the house evolves with them.
My least favorite part is probably that the household is somewhat dependent on me. But it doesn’t bother me much.
Are you crafty? A great cook? A decorator? A cleanliness nut?
I am very crafty, I love to cook, and I can decorate some. I am definitely not a cleanliness nut! I clean to get the job done. I usually stick with whatever works.
What’s your best advice for a new homemaker?
Love what you do and take pride in everything. The household is your blank canvas; do with it whatever makes your heart content.
Emily, thanks so much for letting us into your home and sharing your ideas about homemaking with us!