Stepping Back

 Fifty-three year old Fraidy is a homemaker, and has been one her whole adult life. “I enjoy what I do,” she says. “Most of my kids are married now, but my youngest two are still at home. I’m still very busy with them. Shaindy’s working and Miri’s in school. They need someone to do their laundry, make their meals and so on. They’re very busy girls.”

Yes of course. Twenty-four year old Miri and 22-year old Shaindy are busy, like most healthy young women their age. In fact, many young women their age are even busier than they are. Miri’s friend Estee, for example, also works full time. But she has a husband and two babies as well. Her husband helps out with shopping and a bit of childcare, but she does all of the cooking and cleaning and running of the house. Similarly, Shaindy’s friend Chani is working on her master’s degree while pregnant and running her home. These two hard-working girls are often exhausted. But with the strength and determination of youth, they manage.

Adult Children at Home

While some young adults are working themselves to the bone as they build their new families, others in the same age group are having an easier time of things.

“I don’t ask my girls to do anything. I’m here and I can do it. Why should they struggle? Hopefully they’ll both get married soon and then their ‘holiday’ will be over. If I can make their lives easier now, I’m happy to.”