All around the world, mothers and wives play an integral role in the function and flow of any family.  Chances are, if you're the matriarch of the family, you are the one that manages the home.  I, for one, am proud to be a home manager.

Notice I did not use that dreaded SAHM phrase.  While some people wear that title proudly, I feel it minimizes the importance of my job and it brings a negative connotation to what I do.  "Ooooh, you're a stay-at-home mom?  I wish I had it easy like that."  Boy, you are seriously mistaken!  Unfortunately, this is still the image that mom's have.  In fact, my own husband falls into the misconception from time to time.  A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned how busy and frazzled I was with everything I needed do.  The conversation went something like this:

Him:  "Why don't you have enough time?  Why don't you do this stuff instead of watching TV all day?"

Me:  "Do you really think that's what I do all day?"

Him:  "That's what I would do."

This misinterpretation of what we actually do surrounds us, and sometimes we find ourselves believing it.   I am here to stand up and tell you not to believe a word of it.  You are the Queen of Your Castle and I'm here to tell you why!

1.  Why A Castle?

When you think of a castle, what comes to mind?  Take away the fairy tale connection, and you probably would say something along the lines of a very large stone building that fortresses a royal family.  In fact, one definition of a castle is "a retreat safe against intrusion or invasion."  Your home is your retreat, right?  Your safe haven.  No matter what happens in the world, you know you can go home and feel safe.  My husband is an army infantryman and he works long hours.  But, he knows that when he finally comes home, its an army-free zone.  There's no one getting on his case and telling him what to do.  No PT, no ranges, no uniform.  This is his retreat.  And its my job to make it as comfortable as I can for him.

2.  The Role of the Queen

In every family, we all have our roles.  Since I am the girl who loves fantasy and chivalry, I choose to view our roles as that of a royal family.  My husband is the king and I am the queen.  Our children are princes and princesses, who will eventually take over the kingdom.  Webster defines a queen as " a woman eminent in rank, power, or attractions."  I don't know about you, but in this castle, I have a lot of rank and power and I'd like to think I'm attractive.

As a home manager, it is my responsibility and privilege to clean, decorate, and arrange my home how I see fit.  I make most of the decisions regarding our son, simply because I am his caregiver 90% of the time.  I determine when and what we eat because I buy the groceries and cook our meals.  I make our weekend plans because I'm dedicated to keeping our family busy, spending time together.  Essentially, I am the queen.  Only one other person outranks me in this royal family - and that's MY king.

"She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
   and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
   her husband joins in with words of praise"
- Proverbs 31:27-28

3.  Take Your Job Seriously

Do you realize what you're worth?  According to salary.com, if being a stay-at-home mom earned you a salary, you'd be making around $138,094 annually!  Working moms would average close to $85,938 in addition to the annual salary from their day job.  There's a reason why that number is so high - its because you do a lot!

The feminist movement of the 60s and 70s inspired women to "do it all."  Because of these feminists' sacrifice, women are now able to choose whether they want to work out of the home or work in the home.  It is really something special that we now have that choice, and its ours to make depending upon what our families' needs are.  Unfortunately, this movement has also diminished the view on mothers who only work in the home.  Somehow people forgot that its in our very nature to be domestic.  Well, most of us anyway.   I am happy to say that this dynamic is shifting yet again.  I think a lot women are tired of trying to "do it all" and are ready to resume the domestic role of wife and mother above all else.

The purpose of this website is to empower home managers (SAHMs and working moms alike) to take their job seriously.  Treat this role just as if you had a fancy office with a view.  Increase productivity, bring in revenue, cut costs, and network all along the way.


by Shay