In general, wives did not work outside of the home. Sometimes they did or worked from home. Even today in many communities it is inappropriate for a wife to work outside the home (i.e. in many communities in Eretz Yisroel; in Chutz L’aretz amongst Chasidim and others; etc.)
In communities where wives do work, it isn’t inappropriate.
You didn’t answer my question about putting children to work, and explaining your answer. (This is in fact something that has been done.)