not just a stay-at-home mom

At the start of each new year I tend to find myself in a self-evaluation mood. I don't like to "make resolutions" but I do like to see where I'm at and make sure it is where I want to be! And to make sure I am on track to where I wish to be in the future. So, amidst my self evaluation my wonderful Sis-in-Law Sherena, was asked by her kid's school to do a presentation at their career day on being a homemaker. She asked all her friends and family what their opinion was on the topic and even asked a few specific questions. Of course, I have an opinion on the subject, what subject DON'T I have an opinion on. So, I thought I would share my voluptuous opinion with you.
To preface, I want to make sure that you, the reader, understand that this is just MY opinion. If, by chance, your opinion is different, or your choices are different. I still love you. You may not love me, but I am woman enough to love those with different opinions & choices than mine! :) !
So here is my opinion and my answers to a few of her questions :)
First of all I feel there is a major difference from a Homemaker, or I prefer to call it a "home manager" and a mom. Anyone can be a mom or even a stay at home mom, but if you truly take your choice to manage your home and family seriously then you become a home manager. When you see your life and your responsibilities as a career choice then you truly recognize the importance of those responsibilities and you try your best and not just get things done.
A home manager is many careers wrapped into one. A cook, a nutritionist, a nurse, a child care provider, a pre-school teacher, a tutor, a party planner, a chauffeur, a counselor, house keeper, decorator, laundress, dog walker, an organizational expert, a personal shopper, personal banker, a beautician, the list could go on and on. These are all people that if I didn't do it, I would have to hire all these people to do for me and my family. But because I have chosen to be my own home manager, I am all of those things and more.
To answer the questions:
1. What do you do as a homemaker? I manage all the in's and out's of a home and the 6 members of my family. I also care for all the personal needs of those people. NOT just housekeeping.
2. How would you define it? Like I mentioned above, I define my career choice as home manager. I see what I do as managing the physical needs of the home, ie. cleaning, organizing, decorating, calling a repairman when needed, etc. and also managing ALL the needs of those people (and pets) who are in it, ie. physical needs like clothing, (purchasing, cleaning, maintaining) food, (purchasing, preparing, selecting) health care, (from teeth brushing, band-aid placement to Dr. visits) and emotional needs, I am counselor, and religious instructor all in one. I also manage any parties, or guests that enter my home.
I see my career as home manager similar to how a contractor is overseer to the construction of a house. He has to make sure every detail is taken care of, either by himself or he contracts those things out. I do the same thing with my family, if they need something that I can't do I take them to someone who can but if it is something I can do, then I do it myself. I literally manage my home and family.
3. What is most challenging about your career and how do you overcome it? The most challenging thing about being home with my family all the time, is the daily monotony that can happen. This is a problem with many careers I understand. For me it can be difficult to do the same things like housework or bickering or homework hassles. Honestly, the way I overcome this frustration is with a quote I have hanging on the inside of one of my cupboards, D&C 64:33 "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" It gives me the perspective that all these daily annoyances are like small bricks in the "home" that I am building. Each small brick makes a difference. I can lay the brick in a sloppy way or I can realize the whole picture and make each brick count. (as best as I can)
4. What advice do you offer others preparing to go into your field? My advice would be to educate yourself in as many areas of your responsibility as you can. Really, you can't know too much. Get lots of points of view so you can make your own choices that you know are right for you and not just what one person does and you copy that idea because that is all you know. That advice goes for ALL aspects of home management. Also, I would say, keep a perspective. See the big picture of what you are doing and constantly remind yourself how totally valuable what you are doing is. Because if you look at what you do as a home manager under a microscope, it doesn't look important.
5. What do you love most about it? I love the freedom my career allows me. I can pursue it any direction I choose. I can take time off whenever I choose and I can outsource as I see fit. I am not graded by anyone but my own family and there are NO office politics or posturing. I can dress how I choose and eat when I want. I feel like my career choice saves my family tons of money and I feel like my family is healthier for it. I love being with my family and I love the challenge of making it all work.
And that's my opinion on the subject.