Homemaking Lessons with Ma Ingalls

Growing up on the Little House books meant that I learned a great many lessons from Ma. Becoming a homemaker is a lot of responsibility, but Ma can teach you everything you need to know. Check out these five homemaking lessons with Ma Ingalls!

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Just One More Chapter

I have loved books since I was a little girl. My mom read to me every night before bed, which always left me begging for just one more chapter. One of her childhood favorites was the Little Houses series, so she read it to me when I was very young. I fell in love with all things pioneer. Little House in the Big Woods was one of the first chapter books I remember reading by myself. I spent hours playing pioneers. We visited two of the homesites and I was even Laura for Halloween one year.

Sometimes I wonder how my love of Little House shaped my life. Like Laura, I became a teacher, but dream of staying home to raise a family. I’ve never been fond of wearing shoes and I often wear my hair in braids. I learned to quilt, dip candles, and make sourdough bread. Just like Ma’s table, mine is covered in a red and white checked tablecloth. I think Laura and I could have been best friends if I had been born in the big woods of Wisconsin in the 1860’s.

Life on the Ingalls homestead and the Wilder farm seemed perfect! When I dream about someday, I imagine my own little homestead. I want a cow, some chickens, a Morgan horse, and a big garden. If somebody wanted to throw in a covered wagon or a log cabin, I’d be ok with that too!

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Homemaking Lessons With Ma #1: Roll With the Punches

When Pa told Me that they were going to leave their cozy home and move to Indian Territory with three young girls, she packed up the house. When the Osage came in and demanded food and tobacco, she cooked them a meal and handed over the tobacco. When they moved yet again, leaving behind a comfortable home to travel to someplace strange, she packed up the wagon. Ma rolled with the punches. Although she may have preferred to stay in the Big Woods, she rolled with the punches and made the best of it.

Life doesn’t always go according to our plan. It is easy to get worked up or melt down when things don’t work out how we thought they should have. Instead of getting stuck in the could have been’s, we need to stop and appreciate the really happened’s. Ma always made the best of the situation. When life takes an unexpected turn, remember to pack a picnic and spread your red checked tablecloth. Enjoy the present.

“Let’s be cheerful! We have no more right to steal the brightness out of the day for our own family than we have to steal the purse of a stranger. Let us be careful that our homes are furnished with pleasant and happy thoughts as we are that the rugs are the right color and texture and the furniture comfortable and beautiful.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder

Homemaking Lessons with Ma #2: Each Day Has Its Work

Ma worked from the time she woke up until she went to bed. She made the beds, swept the floors, and did the dishes everyday. Then she also did that day’s work. The weekly schedule kept her household running smoothly.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed try this simple trick. Assign a chore to each day of the week. Do that chore, plus the few daily chores that need completed. By sticking to your schedule the chores will stay in check leaving you feeling less overwhelmed. Don’t forget to give yourself a break. Even God rested, which means you can too. You can check out my simple cleaning routine here.

“Wash on Monday. Iron on Tuesday. Mend on Wednesday. Churn on Thursday. Clean on Friday. Bake on Saturday. Rest on Sunday.” -Little House in the Big Woods

Homemaking Lessons with Ma #3: Make Use of What You Have

Ma wasn’t able to go to the store when she needed something for dinner. When there was no milk, she used sourdough. During the Long Winter, she didn’t have wood for the fire, but in true pioneer fashion she made do with what she had, which was twisted hay. Ma kept scraps of fabric from old dresses to make quilts. She even assured Pa that she could make do without until he could make it town.

Instead of running to the store every night to grab something you need for dinner, figure out what can be prepared with what’s already in the pantry. What if instead of throwing away clothing because of a small hole, you repaired it? We are privileged to live in a time and place where convenience is common, but that isn’t always the best choice. McDonald’s may be convenient now, but what is it doing to your body and bank account? Use it up or wear it out and appreciate what you already have.

“These times are too progressive. Everything has changed too fast. Railroads and telegraphs and kerosene and coal stoves — they’re good to have but the trouble is, folks get to depend on ’em.” -The Long Winter

Homemaking Lessons with Ma #4: Put Your Family First

Ma never complained about serving her family. It was the first thing and last thing she did everyday. She cooked their meals, washed their clothes, kept their house, among many other chores. Even after the log fell on her she continued to serve her family without complaint. During tough times, she would go without in order for her family to have more. She ate less food during the Long Winter, so that Pa and the girls could have more to eat. When Pa’s foot got to itching, she packed the wagon even though she didn’t really want to go west. Ma put her family’s needs and wishes before her own.

We live in a self centered world. Advertisements make us believe that we deserve whatever they are selling. People argue over silly things because they fail to put others before themselves. Self care is important, but so is the care of others. Maybe we should stop thinking about how things will impact our lives and consider how our actions will impact our families. What if we spent as much time talking to our spouse as we did watching TV? Or if we spent as many hours teaching our children life skills as we spent scrolling Facebook? When I was a kid we got bracelets at church that said J.O.Y. It meant Jesus, Others, You and served as a reminder that you need to put Jesus first, others second, and yourself last. If everybody put others first, nobody would ever be last.

“Pa did not like a country so old and worn out that the hunting was poor. He wanted to go west. For two years he had wanted to go west and take a homestead, but Ma did not want to leave the settled country.” -Laura Ingalls Wilder

Homemaking Lessons with Ma #5: Get Everybody Involved

Ma involved the girls in her chores. They worked alongside her from the time they were young. It was through this work that they learned how to keep home, cook, and be women of faith. Those little eyes were watching Ma’s every move and their little hands were mimicking hers. Laura and Mary helped Ma make cheese and milk the cow. She taught them to sew on their nine-patch quilts. Her girls grew up to have a work ethic to match their life skills.

When you stop to involve a child in your work, it will take longer and probably require more clean up. But the love the child will feel and the lessons they will learn minimize the mess and time. How are children expected to become productive and independent adults if we never took the time to teach them when they were young? Ma showed patience with her girls when they were learning and when they were older they were able to help her.

“For days Mother and the girls made jellies and jams and preserves, and for every meal there was huckleberry pie or blueberry pudding.” -Farmer Boy