Creating the Soundtrack of Childhood: A Conversation with Caitlin McCormick
- Allison Weeks
- Oct 21
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 24
The Call Home
Caitlin's path to homemaking wasn't immediate. She worked in special education and corporate jobs for many years. But during COVID, something shifted. "The Lord removed my joy from work because I found my identity in my career for a very long time," she explains, and that's when she came home.
Full time homemaking involved challenges she did not anticipated. "I didn't realize how mentally and emotionally taxing this job is," she reflects. Caitlin began to really feel the weight of not only making a thousand decisions a day, but the knowledge that her homemaking was impacting eternal souls. "That weight can't be ignored because it's part of the calling".
The Heart of Homemaking: Creating a Soundtrack
Bringing children into the equation of full time homemaking really caused Caitlin to consider the purpose of this job. "I am helping create the soundtrack of my children's childhood". She takes this very seriously, and recognizes that this soundtrack, this culture is one they will be building their lives on.
"I want them to remember the smells, sounds, and words that bounced off these were all permeated in a rich, Jesus way."
Daily Priorities That Matter
For the McCormick family, bedtime is non-negotiable. They will say no to things or divide and conquer in order to honor bedtime because it allows for her and Seth to be alone, or time for both of them to pour into their teen.
" We put the littles to bed at a decent hour so that we have time to pour back into each other. That is a hill we will die on".
Another non-negotiable priority is reading the Bible. Being in the Word daily has truly transformed Caitlin's life. Reading through the whole of scripture for the first time recently has given her greater assurance of salvation and a deeper understanding of the Father.
She also prioritizes weekly or bi-weekly dates with just her teen son as a way to encourage and engage with him apart from the whirlwind of caring for two toddlers.
Navigating Temptations and Challenges
When asked where she falls on the Homemaker Challenge Spectrum, Caitlin doesn't hesitate: "Comparison, hands down". Knowing she can't get it all done feeds this struggle. But she's learned to reframe it: "I want to approach other women seeking to learn from them, not compare myself to them (my failures to their successes)".
Marriage Wisdom: Taking Out the Trash
Caitlin's marriage to Seth is what she calls a "redemptive marriage"—not a second marriage, but one that has redeemed what marriage is supposed to be according to God's intention. After both of their first marriages dissolved due to abuse and unfaithfulness, Caitlin and Seth feel immense gratitude to God for this 2nd chance at a redemptive marriage. Their experiences have given them a unique perspective which they’ve been able to use to counsel young couples preparing for marriage.
Their biggest piece of marriage advice is to not allow bitterness and resentment to build up, but to Take Out Your Trash Daily. Like small bits of garbage, little annoyances and slights can be left lying around because we neglect to deal with them. But all those bits of trash build up over time and can create a huge mess.
So, every night, they ask each other, "Do you have any trash on your floor?" In other words, is there something you are annoyed about or hurt by that we need to deal with?
The Art of Home
Caitlin beautifully describes how homemaking is an art: "It's craftsmanship to take pride in it. It requires discipline and problem-solving. You are manipulating space and materials, infusing the home with smell, texture and warmth to create a place of beauty and purpose, form and function.
Words of Encouragement
To younger women considering the calling of homemaking, Caitlin offers this advice:
"If you are called to this, God will meet you in it, no matter your income. There is richness beyond a paycheck in this work. Even if you are scared, uncertain, your identity wrapped up in something else. If you are called He will equip you. Take the leap, step fully in, because you will find yourself immersed in something wonderful".
And to older women? Her request is simple but profound. She asks them to just sit with her on her couch having coffee while the kids are having a tantrum or running in every thirty seconds with a question. Meet her chaos and frustration with understanding and empathy. Tell her about your own homemaking and parenting failures and let her know she's not alone.
"If I can hear your battle stories, I'm reminded that my struggle is not unique".
SHOW NOTES & RESOURCES
Mentioned in This Episode
Episode Call to Action
Spend some time thinking about the size of your plate and whether or not your expectations are in line with that reality?
Do you currently have the capacity of a saucer but your trying to fill it like a platter? Or vice versa…maybe you have greater capacity than you are willing to admit.
If overfilling is your current struggle, may I recommend you listen to the latest Monday motivation, #37, making room in your schedule. I’m specifically talking about Christmas scheduling in that episode, but the concepts apply any time of the year. I will link that below.
Caitlin's Favorite Resource: Play music when cleaning according to your mood. If you are feeling peppy, then play something upbeat. If you are feeling stressed, then maybe some instrumental music will help regulate your emotions so you can focus on the work at hand.
Caitlin's Favorite Homemaking Tip: To combat clutter, make a habit of tidying with a laundry basket in hand. In each room gather all the items that belong elseware into your basket as you tidy the room. Then deliver those things to their homes.
Caitlin's Signature Dish: Sausage Tortellini Soup
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