QUESTION:  I have been living in dorms for seven years, so my ability to apply what I know about nutrition has been lacking, to say the least. As I look forward to getting married in the fall and having my own place for the first time, I am most excited about having the ability to shop for and prepare my own food.

My biggest concern is that I won't have time to cook (or exercise) if I take a full-time job away from home and continue to be active in ministry. It used to be normal for women to quit their jobs when they got married to take care of the home and, eventually, children. As I have run the idea by my friends and family of having a part-time job to allow me to have more time to care for a home, I have received very negative feedback. People have cited money, career, and potential for laziness as reasons to get a full-time job.

Is it reasonable to think that homemaking, even without children, could be the equivalent of a part-time job?

ANSWER:  Short answer? Yes, without a doubt.

But I think there's much more to consider in your situation than just the question you asked. The first thing that struck me was that you reference getting married in the fall and that you are seeking the counsel of friends and family—but you haven't specifically cited your future husband's opinion. As you two prepare to marry, I hope these plans are the things you are discussing and evaluating together. In fact, as you ponder this decision, you have an opportunity to help him in his new role as a husband. Because the Bible gives him the responsibility to lead and provide for his family, you can signal your willingness to encourage him in this role by taking this matter to him first. What is his opinion here? What are his priorities for your family? Your guidance and input are invaluable in your marriage, and he needs your counsel as he leads. So this needs to be a decision you make jointly as a couple.

Second, it's quite possible to work full-time, serve in your local church, get exercise and cook. Many of us do it all the time. However, I think you are wise to consider the importance of what I call the "private sphere" as you get married. You and your husband won't be college roommates, living parallel lives that rarely intersect except at the bathroom door. You will be building a life together, which requires spending time with each other. You can spend all that time together running errands, mowing the lawn, paying bills and cleaning the house, or you can decide how your "team" is going to share the many responsibilities of adult life so that you aren't being driven by your "To Do" list. The benefit of having one person with more time dedicated to these "private sphere" tasks is that you have more quality time together as a couple to enjoy each other and to minister elsewhere. Given all the administrative tasks of running a home—house maintenance, shopping, making medical appointments, tracking a budget, paying bills and taxes, cleaning, yard work and more—it's clear this is at least a part-time job already, even without children!