After mum-of-three Viktoria Brandt, 43, became a nursing assistant, she found that juggling long days with caring for her children left only snatched moments with her partner Torbjörn, 50.
In 2015, feeling utterly burnt out, Viktoria, who lives in a small village in south east Sweden, quit her job and reinvented herself as a ‘tradwife’.
The term is used for a growing band of traditional wives, who are homemakers by choice, adhering to old-fashioned gender roles.
On an average day, Viktoria wakes up at 5am or 7am if she wants a lie-in, and gets to work, cleaning, ironing, cooking and baking for the family.
While she says rising at the crack of dawn to cook and clean for her family has been her key to happiness, Viktoria claims people have poured scorn on her choices.
She said: ‘I don’t call myself a feminist, which I have been criticised for, as people seem to think that’s synonymous with being anti-equality.
‘I’m against oppression of all kinds, but I am also all for us being able to make our own decisions.
‘Tradwives like me deserve respect for our life choices, no matter why we’ve chosen to stay at home.’
By 2015, Viktoria felt increasingly exhausted by her job, saying that she had suffered total burnout.
Looking for better balance, she realised she wanted a lifestyle more like that of her grandmothers – who she saw as role models.
She said: ‘My grandmothers were warm women who cared a lot for their families and homes.
‘That is where my love of traditional roles first started to grow. For me, as a young girl, it meant everything.’
So, Viktoria made the decision to ditch work altogether and become a full-time homemaker.
Now, while her family help out with tasks like emptying the dishwasher, walking the dog and whipping up the occasional culinary treat in the kitchen, she does virtually everything else.
She explained: ‘On an average day, I wake up rather early, between 5am and 7am.
‘I always start by making my bed, then I put on the morning coffee. I get myself ready, always in a dress or skirt and blouse.
‘I have a beautiful velvet armchair in my room, where I sit and read for a bit.
‘After that, I start the laundry, then I take out the carpets for a good beating, sweep the floor and clean the kitchen counters.
‘Then, I’ll make breakfast, do some ironing, go grocery shopping and prepare the dinner, or even bake. I rest if I can when I’m tired, but I’m also available 24 hours a day, especially if one of the children isn’t well.’
Although Viktoria works hard to create domestic bliss, she stresses that her aim is not to keep her home spotless, but rather to create a tranquil environment for her family.
Viktoria’s love of traditional life spills over into the way she dresses, as she always makes sure she is impeccably turned out in a dress, or vintage-style skirt.
Now she documents her day to day life on her blog, The Housewife Diary, and it has attracted readers from all over the world who adore her style as much as her cooking and cleaning tips.
While Viktoria understands that every family is different, she believes that having a mother at home full-time has done wonders for the happiness of her own brood.
She said: ‘I would never say that every woman should stay home, but for my family and myself, it has been crucial.
‘They feel secure when I’m around them, making sure that I always have time to meet their needs, both emotional and practical.’
Viktoria is now keen to dispel misconceptions about the tradwife movement and wants to encourage people to be less judgemental about the way she lives.
She concluded: ‘Everyone has the right to live life their own way and being a tradwife is my true calling.
‘I think the biggest misconception is that some people think we’re against equality. I don’t see how equality and loving care need to be two different things.
‘But we’re living in an open-minded world, so I would like to see a growing acceptance for those who choose a traditional life.’
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