The Daily Routine of a Home Manager: Insights from a Modern Guesthouse Owner

While I am a man and the owner of a small guesthouse, my daily routine closely mirrors that of a traditional housewife, focusing on household management and ensuring a smooth-running home. This article provides an in-depth look into the typical day of a home manager, sharing insights based on my personal experience.

The Early Morning: Preparing for the Day

I typically rise between 5:00 AM and 6:30 AM, dependent on the day's activities. Starting the day involves a few key tasks. First, I start by cooking a full English breakfast for my family if they wish to have it, as well as for any guests who may be joining us. This task often takes up to two hours depending on the number of people and the complexity of the meal.

7:30 AM - Departure and Cleanup

Following breakfast, I see my family off. My wife drops my son to school and then heads to work. I then clear up the breakfast dishes, and after a quick clean of the dining room, I load the dishwasher with the breakfast utensils. I then give the cleaning schedule to my chamber maid to start her duties for the day.

Mid-Morning: Exercise and Planning

Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, I often spend the next few hours working out with one of the resident guests. This early exercise ensures that I maintain a healthy routine and that my kitchen is clean when I need to cook dinner later in the day. This usually takes me until around 10:00 AM, depending on the guest's schedule.

Lunchtime and Admin Work

After this workout session, I shower and begin preparing for dinner. It is a little unusual, but I find it easier to cook during the day rather than at night. This is done to keep my kitchen clean and tidy, ensuring I am ready for breakfast the following morning. Once the dinner is cooked and plated, I clean the kitchen and place our supper plates in the microwave for reheating later.

Afternoon Responsibilities

I utilize the rest of the afternoon for tasks such as shopping, administrative work, and handling other business-related duties. My schedule can be quite varied, and I try to keep the kitchen organized by emptying the dishwasher, cleaning, and prepping for the next day.

Fetching Children from School

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I make time to fetch my son from school. I leave the house at 1:30 PM and return home around 2:00 PM. After this, I resume my administrative and other business duties.

Sports and After-Dinner Activities

On Monday and Wednesday afternoons, I often exercise alongside one of our guests in boxercise classes. This fitness routine runs from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. On Tuesday and Friday, my son and I attend swimming lessons together. While he swims, I might swim in my own lane. Thursday afternoons, my son has a dancing class which I do not participate in, but I enjoy socializing with other mums and grandmothers during this time.

Evening Activities

The day winds down by around 6:00 PM, often during my son and my free time. We shower, prepare for dinner, and then have a family meal. We watch a streamed series on Netflix while eating. By 8:00 PM, I usually head to bed, while my wife prefers to stay up a bit later, watching her favorite series until around 9:00 PM. Sometimes, my son joins her in the bedroom, or he may go to bed earlier.

Conclusion: Understanding the Challenges of Home Management

Being a home manager, responsible for a small business, and having a family is no easy feat. I can very much empathize with the challenges faced by women in traditional settings, which is one of the reasons why the women's liberation movement became so significant. The demands of managing a household, running a small business, and still having time for your family can be overwhelming.

Keywords: household chores, daily routine, guesthouse management