Tradwife lifestyle framed as empowering domestic life, Grace Patton says

A growing number of women embracing the tradwife lifestyle say the movement is about more than vintage dresses and homebound routines. Grace Patton, a 36-year-old mother of five from Oklahoma, argues that the trend is often misunderstood and not anti-feminist, stressing that it centers on mutual respect and a life aligned with personal values. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Patton described her path from a traditional job to a home-focused life as a conscious choice that she and her husband, Bradley, see as empowering for their family.

Patton said traditional gender roles in her case are not a measure of oppression but a framework in which she feels free to prioritize her family while still pursuing personal aspirations. She asserted that her work at home is valued just as much as Bradley’s career and that the couple’s arrangement reflects a deliberate partnership. “That’s so far from our reality – my role is empowering, built on mutual respect with [my husband] Bradley, where my work at home is valued as much as his career,” she told the Daily Mail. “And no, it’s not anti-feminist – it’s about the freedom to choose a life that aligns with our values, not conforming to what society expects.”

Soon after, the couple’s emphasis on home life began to take shape in earnest. Patton recalled feeling pressured at times to pursue a paycheck over family, but a health crisis during her first pregnancy prompted a pause. She stepped back from a traditional job, focusing on herself and their newborn. Over time, she said the family discovered that their home-centered approach worked better for them. “We saw that prioritizing our home wasn’t about giving up ambition – it was about pouring my energy into what mattered most: our kids and our life together,” she explained. “Choosing this lifestyle let me prioritize our children's growth and our family’s well-being.”

Six years in, Patton describes her daily life as a blend of thrift-ed shopping, home cooking, and homeschooling. She said she wakes with Bradley, helps pick out his work clothes, and greets each child by name as they start the day with a homemade breakfast, a devotional, and a plan for the day’s chores. “We share a homemade breakfast, pray, and read a devotional together, then as a team we clean up, start the dishwasher and laundry,” she said. Her days are filled with guiding the younger children through songs and activities while their nine-year-old son Leo works independently.

Patton’s routine extends to the broader preparation and maintenance of the home. She described spending mornings thrift shopping for clothing and household items, then creating meals from scratch. She also homeschools the five children and admits she is continuously refining systems to make things smoother. “Between teaching, grading, meal planning, and chores, I’m always tinkering with ways to make things smoother,” she stated. She emphasizes that Bradley remains the family’s primary breadwinner, but that the couple shares a joint bank account with equal access to their funds. She argued this financial arrangement eliminates common points of friction about money and responsibilities, allowing them to focus on their partnership and shared goals.

Bradley’s career, she noted, benefits from the partnership as well. She claimed that his professional advancement has accelerated in part because the home environment is stable and supportive, while she creates a nurturing space for their children during their formative years. “Bradley values my role as a homemaker, seeing the structure and care I provide as just as vital as his paycheck,” she said. “I don’t need permission to spend, and there’s no ‘allowance’ — we’re true partners.” The arrangement, she added, has reduced potential conflicts about who does what and why, allowing the couple to spend evenings and weekends planning and dreaming together.

Patton is also explicit about how she presents herself in daily life. She said she dresses from a capsule wardrobe and maintains a routine of makeup each morning, even on days when she does not leave the house. She described her style as intentional rather than elaborate, insisting that looking put-together is part of how she performs her homemaker role. “It’s not about dressing up elaborately – just being intentional, like I was when working outside the home,” she said. In the evenings, the couple’s focus shifts to family time. She noted that Bradley comes home to find a home that is orderly and ready for a shared dinner, after which they spend the night bonding as a family.

As with many public-facing lifestyle stories, Patton has faced criticism from outsiders who mock the tradwife movement. She said she has learned to shrug off “nasty comments from trolls” and maintain a focus on what works for her family. “To the haters I’d say: choose what brings you joy and reflects your values, just like we have,” she explained. “Our goal isn’t to persuade anyone but to uplift those who share or aspire to this tradwife life. Our lifestyle, grounded in faith, love, and mutual respect, works beautifully for us. We’re thankful for the freedom to choose what is right for us and the peace it brings our family.”

Patton closed by urging young women to see building a home as meaningful and worthy as any job. She said worth should not be defined solely by a paycheck or title and that choosing a career or a life at home can both be valid paths to fulfillment. “Your worth isn’t defined by a paycheck or title,” she said. “Whether you choose a career or a life at home, you’re enough, and it’s OK to embrace what truly fulfills you.”