How to run a household: the importance of home management

The Importance of Home Management as a Basic Need

One of life’s basic necessities involves having a place we call home. During the 1940’s a psychologist, Abraham Maslow, determined that there are 5 basic needs: physiological, safety, love/belonging, self-esteem, and purpose.  This isn’t an absolute list, but is where the importance of home management comes in.  There is room for improvement as we’ve gained insight into human nature and as culture has evolved, but a good starting point to examine human needs.

Having shelter and feeling safe is fundamental, but also can be complicated.  This can look drastically different for each person but there are many similarities. We want a roof over our head, food on the table, a place where loved ones can gather, and safe surroundings. Different life circumstances lead to different housing situations, depending on the stage of life you’re in. You might be in a position where you need to rent or even live with family member or friends. Or maybe you own a home. 

People Make Up the HOme

There’s also the possibility of roommates or you live by yourself.  If you have family living with you, this could be just a spouse.  But could also include kids, parents, siblings, grandparents.  Living arrangements are also impacted by cultural preferences.  The last factor impacting housing involves financial circumstances.  Each person’s individual life circumstances impact living arrangements and create a unique situation that represents who you are and the stage of life you’re in. 

The one thing we all have in common is that we long for a place to call home that is warm and inviting and calming.  A place that we want to come home to.  But a house doesn’t run itself.  The belongings we own don’t put themselves away.  Food doesn’t cook itself and end up on the table.  It would be so nice if it was that easy!!

Is Homemaking the same as Housekeeping?

By definition, homemaking is the creation and management of a home, especially as a pleasant place in which to live. It involves overseeing the day-to-day operations that take place in the home.  This is different than housekeeping that only takes into consideration of the home and keeping it clean.  Homemaking involves values, priorities, and creating an environment of love and support for everyone who lives within the home. 

In addition, we usually think of homemaking and we think of someone who stays at home. Homemaking usually infers something that a woman would do.  Making a home look pretty, creating a functional space for her family, and maintain order in her surroundings.  If she is a stay at home mom or wife, making sure the house is clean and there is food on the table.

But I think that as roles and culture has changed, this does not have to be the case anymore.  More couples are splitting responsibilities, and I also think our priorities and standards have shifted some.  But as culture shifts and roles aren’t as clearly defined, a more practical approach can be taken and that’s when household management is a better term to use. 

 It removes the stigma that this is the woman’s responsibility and involves each person who lives within the home.

The Benefits of Maintaining Your Home and Household

Reduced stress

When you create a plan on how you want to maintain your home, you have the steps in place to set you up for success.  When you determine what you’re good at and how to handle the things hat you’re not, you’ll feel confident in your abilities which will reduce stress.

Establish habits and routines

If homemaking doesn’t come naturally, creating routines will help you develop better habits.  And even if you are good at these things, life can be overwhelming, but if you have routines in place that have become habitual, there will less of a chance to get off track.  

Make Room for what’s important

When you put homemaking in its rightful place, you can spend more time on the things that matter.  Also, when you have a plan, keep up with the routine, you become more efficient at getting things done. 

The Complexities of Managing a Household

So, what all is involved in managing a home?  Is there a title that fits all the responsibilities and the tasks involved?  Who is responsible for all that is involved?  How should each task be accomplished and what is the best way to go about things?  Is there a good way of establishing a routine so that your house can run like clockwork? All these things should be taken into consideration or at least pondered to determine how this will work for you and what it should look like. 

The Importance of Home Management

Creates Functionality through Systems

I function best when I create systems that fit my personality and lifestyle, that help me to maintain my sanity and allow me to function in the other areas of life.  Some of these categories don’t necessarily involve an actual physical home, but are important to me in the overall process. 

I think of homemaking as a way to add order and functionality to my life, and a lot of that is done within the home.  Home management helps creating a home where one can flourish and be comfortable.  The process of doing this takes place in the management of the home.

A Place Where Memories Can Be Made

The main goal or purpose, no matter how defined or what it is called is to make sure the home is place where memories are made, family and friends can enjoy their time together, and that the household is run in a way where each person can fulfill their duties and reach their goals.  Homemaking can be a calling or it can be a stepping stone for achieving more.  A properly functioning home helps all facets of life. It allows us to keep up with the things that need to be done, placing a greater focus on the things that matter, our experiences, and making memories with the people we love.

When a home functions properly, life can go more smoothly, goals can be achieved, and there is more time for relationships.  Share on X

When Homemaking Doesn’t Come Naturally

What should you do if you’re not good at these things?  I don’t think taking care of these tasks necessarily come naturally to everyone.  More and more family units are being redefined and roles are shifting. This makes the importance of home management even more complicated. It’s not just as simple as the woman stays at home and this is what she’s supposed to take care of the home.  As we determine all the tasks involved in managing a home, it’s important to also analyze what skill sets, abilities and qualities you have. The best practice is to develop good habits when it comes to household management.  This is how to set yourself up for success.

• Make home management a priority

• Set aside enough time in your schedule to complete necessary tasks

• Develop good time management skills

• Plan ahead

• Utilize strengths and recognize weaknesses

• Delegate or outsource when necessary

• Make sure family members are on board as much as possible.

• Make sure there are clear expectations and defined roles

The Best Place to Start is to Determine Everything that is Involved

This is a list of the areas of my life and things that are important for me to prioritize.

Homemaking Categories:

1. Cleaning
2. Décor
3. Organization/Storage
4. Function/Systems
5. Laundry
6. Grocery shopping
7. Meal planning
8. Cooking
9. Schedule and routines
10. Self-care
11. Exercise
12. Goals
13. Budgeting
14. Finance and bills
15. Relationships
16. Spirituality
17. Creativity/Hobbies

There are a lot of hats to put on that involve many different skill sets, but hopefully, you can see the importance of home management.  If we try and conquer these roles and set high standards for ourselves, we set ourselves up for failure. But when we decide on what needs to be done, when and how to do it, and take into consideration our strengths and weaknesses, we can set up a household management plan that can be successful.