Cleaning Day - Modern Technology - are we missing something?

Modern technology gave us the means to make chores in life easier, quicker and free up time for us to spend time with families or doing things we enjoy. But are we?

The Dishwasher - There was a time when dish washing was done by mother and daughter; it was also thought of as their bonding time. They would discuss issues in the young woman's life, solve problems, wipe tears, give opinions of fashion and even have a few good laughs. Growing up, I never had a dishwasher - it was always Mom and me, sometimes my married sister joined us. I remember talking about boys, bras, fashions, situations at school... it was a short time of bonding that left me feeling loved, safe, and secure. What happened to that time? Do mothers and daughters still have a few moments where men/boys are sparse so they can tell secrets?

The Washing Machine - Now this will take some back! I cherished the days I helped Grandma do the washing. She had one of those old style machines with the big rollers. She would load her bras and girdles into the round tub with Ivory soap; I loved watching the bubbles form into a lather like substance. Then I would be on the receiving end as she pushed each garment through a roller to squeeze out the suds. I'd drop the garment into a tub of water. She'd feed it into another roller, and I'd guide the item through and drop it into a tub of clean cold water... During this time of washing Grams undergarments I noticed the difference between what she wore and what my mom, my sister, and I wore. She would tell me delightful stories about the "evolution of the undergarment" and what she wore as a child in the early 1900's, her first bra and so on. Do young girls have this opportunity to learn such historical trivia and have such bonding time with their Grams?

Dryers - Before homes had clothes dryers, the clothesline was an important fixture in the yard. I used to love how ours would turn in the breeze and how the sheets would smell as they flapped in the sunlight. Mom was convinced the sun killed those nasty germs and bleached out the whites. It didn't matter to me, I just loved crawling into a freshly made bed at night and smelling the sunshine in my pillow. Grandma had long ropes running from her house to the garage and when the weight of sheets got to heavy, Gramps would place long poles under the lines for added support. He seemed to know when Gram needed his help and would appear out of nowhere. No words were spoken, just a simple nod from Gram acknowledging the lines were high enough. They would share a soft smile, Gram would give Gramps a gentle kiss with a sparkle in her eye before he returned to his chores. My heart would flip at the sight of such a simple expression of love. Do men & women silently help each other simply out of love or has modern technology taken that as well?

Modern technology certainly made household chores easier and quicker. Everyone said it would give families more time together; couples time the needed; individuals time to do things they enjoyed such as hobbies. As I look around me I see people using this time to work more, argue more, and spend more time doing individual activities. Am I missing something? Are we?