“Hey, so when this baby comes I might need more help with some stuff around the house. You know, like making dinners and stuff….” These were the words that tumbled out of me at 36 weeks pregnant. I had spent weeks preparing for maternity leave from my software sales job, carefully documenting tasks, looping in teammates, and assigning responsibilities. I had a system for everything… except our home. That’s when I realized I needed to take a different approach to managing a home, one that actually worked for our life.
When Managing a Home Feels Like a Full-Time Job
Managing a home requires structure, vision, and intention, just like running a business. But we rarely treat it that way. Why? Because home life is often made up of invisible labor: the unspoken, unrecognized tasks that keep everything running but leave you utterly depleted.
After our second child was born, I found myself on the edge of a complete mental, physical, and emotional breakdown. Between raising kids, working full time, handling all the daily tasks, managing the calendar, scheduling extracurricular activities, and running a home, there simply wasn’t enough of me to go around.
The weight of household management had become too heavy to carry alone.
The Eye-Opening Data
When I began logging my time, I discovered I was spending more than 20 hours per week just keeping the house going. That’s a part-time job in itself. And I’m not alone, U.S. women spend an average of 22.5 hours weekly on unpaid domestic labor.
That includes everything from grocery shopping, meal prepping, planning playdates, maintaining a cleaning routine, and handling school logistics. It also includes things like worrying about what we’re having for dinner, trying to remember if we have clean sheets, and figuring out who’s taking the car in for maintenance.
This invisible work adds up. Fast!!
The Shift: Managing a Home Like a Business
After I hit my breaking point, I decided to apply my professional skills to our home life. I approached managing a home the same way I’d manage a major project, with clarity, delegation, systems, and support.
I started by making a list of every recurring task in our household. I didn’t just write “laundry.” I broke it down into sorting, washing, drying, folding, putting away, and buying detergent. I realized we needed more than just help, we needed structure.
So I created a framework for our home management system and, eventually, hired a meal prep chef, a house manager, and cleaners, all within our budget. It changed our lives.
Collaboration: Become Co-CEOs
Step one is shifting your mindset: all time is created equal. Whether you’re working outside the home, raising kids full time, or juggling both, the value of your time matters. You and your partner are teammates, not two people living parallel lives.
That’s why we started holding weekly home meetings on Sunday evenings. Throughout the week, we add to a shared to-do list, school events, errands, tasks, and ideas. Then we sit down and divide the load in a way that reflects both our capacities and priorities.
It takes less than 15 minutes but saves hours of stress.
Accountability: Own It From Start to Finish
One of the most game-changing principles I’ve learned is from Eve Rodsky’s Fair Play: each task needs a single owner from start to finish. That means full responsibility from Concept to Planning to Execution (CPE).
If you’re in charge of meals, for example, that includes creating the meal plan, doing the grocery shopping, and cooking. Splitting every task into tiny pieces just leads to confusion and resentment. Ownership leads to clarity, and trust.
Systems: The Secret to Saving Time and Energy
Systems are the backbone of any successful business, and your home deserves the same kind of thoughtful structure. When you have routines, checklists, and clear responsibilities in place, you’re no longer relying on memory or willpower to keep everything moving. You’re creating order, ease, and peace of mind.
Imagine a home that runs smoothly because everyone knows what to do, and how to do it.
That’s exactly what we teach through Sage Haus Home Systems: practical frameworks that turn daily chaos into calm.
From cleaning routines and laundry management to meal prep, decluttering, budgeting, and scheduling, our systems are designed to help you reclaim your time and stop carrying the entire mental load alone.
If you’ve ever thought, “I hired help, so why am I still doing everything myself?” you’re not alone. The truth is, support without systems still leaves you managing the manager. That’s why we created the Home Systems Digital Course & Playbook, to give you everything you need to train, delegate, and finally get your time back.
You don’t need more apps, lists, or sticky notes, you need a system. One that works for your family, supports your team, and gives you the freedom to breathe again.
Ready to run your home with systems, not stress?
Learn about our Home Systems Playbook here
Build Your Dream Team
Sometimes, no matter how efficient your systems are, you simply can’t do it all. During certain seasons, like having multiple kids under five, going back to work, or shuttling teenagers around, it’s okay to ask for help.
I evaluated our needs, created job descriptions, and hired a meal prep chef, house manager, and cleaners who now handle the day-to-day operations of our household. I built a dream team… and you can too.
Managing a home doesn’t mean you have to do every task yourself. It means having the systems and support in place so everything gets done, without it all falling on your shoulders.
What This Looks Like in Real Life
These days, my marriage is stronger. I have more energy for my kids. I don’t feel like I’m drowning in details or carrying the mental load alone. I’m more present. More peaceful. And honestly, more ME!
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about home management tips that work in real life, so you don’t lose yourself trying to hold it all together.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
So many moms feel overwhelmed, and they think the answer is “try harder.” But you don’t need to try harder, you need a home management system that works for you.
Managing a home like a CEO means making smart choices, setting clear expectations, building a team, and using proven tools to support your goals.
If you’re feeling the weight of invisible labor or unsure where to start, I’m here to help. You are not behind. You are not lazy. You just need the right tools, a little guidance, and the permission to lead your home in a way that honors your time, energy, and well-being.
Hire a House Manager: Your Shortcut to Peace and Productivity
If you’re ready to stop doing it all yourself and finally get the support your family deserves, Sage Haus Hiring Services can help. We specialize in connecting busy parents with trusted, top-tier household professionals, like house managers, family assistants, and meal prep chefs, who fit seamlessly into your life.
Our team handles every step of the process, from understanding your family’s unique needs to recruiting, vetting, and onboarding the right person so you can reclaim your time, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters. Managing a home like a CEO means knowing when to delegate and having the right people in place to help your household run smoothly.
Learn more about our Hiring Services here
If you enjoyed this article about managing a home, you might also enjoy:
- It Takes a Village: Why Moms Were Never Meant to Do It All Alone
- Busy Moms: It’s always a good time to start a New Routine
- Breaking Free from the Mental Load: Redefining Motherhood on Our Terms
Pin-it for later: Managing a Home Like a CEO: Smart Systems for a Stress-Free Life
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