On the domestic front

Reflecting on domestic matters I realised just how fast the scope is for a person suddenly confronted with life's realities.

• For starters there are daily matters such as eating for sustenance—as well as relatively balanced and healthy; dressing for work; cleaning up and getting all the members of the household where they ought to be for the day. At the end of the day, it is the reverse and getting to bed for rest for another day. Unpacking this daily scenario could involve quite a bit:
  • Buying groceries to have supplies in the cupboards and fridge/freezer in order to make food.
  • Daily cooking and food preparation, including possibly also packing lunch boxes.
  • Washing up the dishes and readying the space for another daily routine.
  • Clothes do not just happen to be available, they require laundering, some ironing, folding, etc.
  • Dirty clothes do not sort themselves out; a certain routine of possibly a laundry catchment is needed.
  • Personal cleaning and hygiene require attention and supplies.
  • Bedding needs cleaning; and so does the entire living space.
  • Household refuse need to be removed (and possibly put out in the street on certain days) and if you are environmentally conscious you would endeavour to recycle what is feasible.
• When there are children it complicates daily routines substantially, especially when they are small (or bigger, but spoilt):
  • A baby could make substantial inroads on the life of parents.
  • They need help getting dressed and with managing their time to ready themselves.
  • Children get homework that parents are suppose to check; projects they need help with or just seeing it gets done and need to take things to school, which they inevitably forget.
  • Children have not yet developed the ability to sort out their own clothing needs; often discovering when they need to get dressed something is missing.
  • Bath-time could require supervision, as well as ensuring they go to bed early enough to get a good night's sleep.
  • Children crave attention to develop their own personalities and when not given claim it through mischief, either way they absorb time. Unfortunately children do also get sick as part of growing up.
  • Children are encouraged to partake in sport and extramural activities for their own development, all which require effort and sacrifice on the part of their parents or guardians.
• The daily rat-race may not allow for bigger domestic undertakings, meaning that a weekend-routine might be necessary, for example:
  • Doing all the week's washing; but also cope with challenging conditions, such as rain for days on end.
  • Cleaning the living space.
  • Buying groceries.
  • But provision also needs to be made for sport or other activities of children.
• The scope of housework may necessitate the need for help, which introduce further complications, such as:
  • Contracting domestic worker/s.
  • Dealing with the rights of domestic worker/s.
  • Accommodate illness, leave and time off required for personal matters.
• The time constraints of daily or weekly living may require occasional spring cleaning activities, such as:
  • Defrost and clean the freezer
  • Washing windows and curtains.
  • Washing carpets.
  • Cleaning out cupboards, sorting out filing and declutter.
• Vehicles do not keep running year-in-and-year-out, they also require servicing.
• In the crime festered environment we live in, security measures and a contract with a security company might be a necessity.
• Then there is home, vehicle and life insurance.
• Not to forget medical aid matters, possibly chronic medication, pension and other provision for old age.
• Living space requires maintenance, regardless if you live in rented space, a sectional title scheme or free hold. This may include:
  • Replacement of light bulbs, washers of taps, etc.
  • Fixing broken electrical accessories, iron cables, bath/basin plug chains, etc.
  • Painting and varnishing.
  • Unblocking drains, etc.
  • Replacement of the geyser element.
  • Occasionally some pests might need control.
  • Appliances only have a certain lifetime, after which they require constant repairs or replacement.
• You may love gardening or just enjoy a few plants:
  • Flower boxes or gardens need watering, weeding, pest control, etc.
  • Lawns need mowing and edges trimming.
  • Plants need occasional pruning or shaping.
  • Seasonal plants need to be removed when dead and new ones planted.
  • Gardening equipment need maintenance.
• If you have children, their recreational equipment might need maintenance or repairs:
  • Bicycles get punctures, brakes need adjustment, saddles adjustment as children grow, occasional lubrication, etc.
  • Toys brake requiring repairs.
• If you have a pool, the pool needs cleaning; leaves and other debris removed; the chemical levels maintained; the filter to be maintained, etc.
• Life is not just about the mundane; there is also recreation, entertainment, etc. which form part of the domestic front.

My idea is to develop over time a range of blog posts to serve as a reference site with regard to as many as possible for the items listed and more that crop up along the way.