Ruth Campbell Smith 1925-27 Diaries

My grandmother, Ruth Campbell Smith (1892 - 1972) kept a diary for many years. I am posting her entries from 1925 - 1927 in this blog. Her family included sons Dale (1916 - 2004), Dick (1918 - 1971), Albert (1920 - 1979), and Ned (1923 - 1976), and later daughters Marjorie (1925 - 2010) and Eleanor (1929 - 2011). Her husband was Gilbert (1889 - 1937) and they lived in Indianapolis. I hope you enjoy this glimpse of what it was like to be a housewife and mother in the 1920's.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Saturday, September 19, 1925

Saturday, September 19, 1925
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Put in a big day cleaning etc. putting my house in order for the event which must be near now. I have felt so very tired, my back and hips ache so that it must be the beginning of the end. If I had money enough I would have Mrs. Little come now so as I could rest. But I can’t afford it. Dale and Daddy went to the 10 cent store and got me my dishes this PM.

(Keep in mind that Grandma probably didn’t know her exact due date. Mrs. Little is the woman she interviewed a few weeks prior, who would eventually come and stay with them to help out after Grandma had the baby. )

2 comments:

Anonymous7:36 AM, September 19, 2006
We calculate everything so carefully these days, it's hard to imagine not "knowing" when your baby is supposed to be here. I remember the impatience of those final weeks and counting down your time left, what would it be like not having a date to count down to?
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Anonymous10:19 AM, September 19, 2006
In mother's time a new mother was kept in bed for a couple of weeks. Now a mother is lucky if she gets to stay in the hospital for 2 days. Then its back home and back to work taking care of all the children plus the new baby. A mother is considered lucky if her husband or other relative can help her out.
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