Italians consider cooking (and eating) good food at every meal an absolute given, a necessity, meaning that the work of many a home cook is taken quite for granted.  Rain or shine my aunty every day of the year sets the table and cooks for her husband, and at least one grown son and his wife and children.   Not dissimilar to an Autogrill she has them in and out in under an hour with a 3 course meal under their belts so that they can all return to school/work.  The tide goes out then in and there she is suddenly sweeping up and clearing plates and getting on with the rest of her day as if it were all some delicious dream.  I’m not saying this level of taking for granted is right, it just is.  It is the way of things in some households.  Roles are clear and logical.  You are not lauded, but neither are you judged as a vacant housewife either.  The role of the home-maker is truly appreciated.  Mums rule the roost.  They are obeyed, they are loved and they are valued and it is how so many of my peers manage to bring up their kids without losing their minds….

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