Back in 2013 SOOOO much time, energy and focus went into what the name and identity would be for my YouTube Channel. Happily A Housewife was perfect. At the time I was a young mom of small children. My entire world was within the walls of my home, and I happily went through each day trying to make it the best it could be. My oldest was only 6, Lilly was 4 and JD was a newborn. Life looked so much different then.
Fast forward 5 years and here we are. The number one question I keep seeing is if/when I will change my name online. I’m not going to lie, the thought has crossed my mind. People keep bringing up the fact that I am no longer a housewife. And while I don’t disagree with that, after reflecting and brainstorming I have decided the name is not changing, and I’m going to tell you why with 3 reasons.
1) The reasoning I would tell a girlfriend asking over coffee, or my mom or husband…. It would be a REALLY REALLY REALLY bug pain in the ass to change everything. There is SO much on the back end that you don’t see, and undertaking that task at this point isn’t something I am willing to do. Is it the best “business blogger” decision, probably not, but if y’all know me you know I don’t care much about that.
2) Happily A Housewife has always been about the journey, the name fit me so well back when I was 25 and drowning in playroom toys, dirty diapers and loneliness of motherhood. It is the story of growth as a woman. How the decisions I have made over the past 5+ years have brought me to this point. You can go back and watch from the beginning the person I was to who I am now (I actually highly suggest it, because that would be so much ad revenue….lol I’m kidding! please don’t watch those videos, I can’t imagine the outfits/haircuts/and bad content/quality!)
3) So I looked up the definition of housewife, because I think that is where most are getting hung on me NEEDING the change, and here it is:
guess what?!?!?! I still do all of those things, and I feel that is still my main occupation. LADIES, WE CAN HAVE BOTH! We can do anything and the way we want. We write the story, we decide the narrative. The labels do not matter. By reading this definition so many of us can relate, even if we have a housekeeper, or a nanny, SAHM full time, work from home, have an etsy shop, are a CEO, we are still the heart of the home.
So there it is…. why I am no longer a housewife but still totally am a housewife. everyone changes and evolves over time, but keeping those pieces of our past remind us of how far we have come. I hope that this post puts the question to bed and explains more of why I am not considering changing it. And some may say “Sam, you are not a sentimental person, you traded in your wedding rings for fucks sake….. why are you clinging onto this name…..?” Please re-read reason 1 and know that it really comes down to how big of a pain in the ass it would be…. I am just throwing in the rest of the psycho analysis bullshit to make myself feel better ok!?!?
**This post like many that I write have a sarcastic undertone, it really just is my real personality coming out to you all. While this is how I really do feel, it is exaggerated and written to add a laugh to your day as well as mine.**
I love your reasoning. glad you are keeping the name and i love this post the sarcasm and cussing lol.
Long time viewer here (you know, original EC video)… I think the important thing is that you have always demonstrated a positive attitude about taking care of your family and your home, even when society screams that you shouldn’t do that. I admire that about you. I don’t have much of a social media life, but I imagine that changing a blog / youtube/ instragram name would be a headache… much worse then changing your last name. (BTW, did people ask you if you were going to change your name when you were working from home for the real estate company?)
Never underestimate turning to God in this transition Sam. I know you don’t talk about religion much and if I had to guess you probably aren’t very devout but I want you to know that our Lord can here your prayers if you come to him.
Being a mother is hard and it’s a hard job to transition between housewife and working wife I did it when my kids were out of elementary out of need it was the recession. I am glad I did but I found myself turning to God every step of the way it made a better WIfe and mother.
Seriously so happy to hear you are keeping the name. Amen to that definition, as a working mom that “stigma” that you can’t be both just drives me nuts! Yes, I work, but hey I also have kids to keep alive and make sure don’t fail and school and become functioning adults! Like you, MULTIPLE kid’s activities to run to, keep track of, and manage. Meal planning and a lot of rushed dinner making all while making sure my house looks presentable! Sorry, that became a rant but YES, keep that name girl!!!!
I have been following you on YouTube for four years now and you’ve always been my fave…. but after reading this and seeing more of your personality come out uncensored… I was just like “oh my gosh I swear I need to meet this woman, we’d be best friends”. I need mom friends like you that I can drop the f bomb with, while drinking a mixed drink and watching reality shows, after a long day of our kids fighting over the same damn toy over and over. 🙄🤦🏼♀️ Also I feel like we have a similar parenting style and I find that awesome. Keep being yourself ❤️