Last week a friend called me a ‘stay-at-home-mom’ in casual conversation with all good intent. It stoped me dead in my tracks. I’ve been called a lot of things but never that.

I have a lot of SAHM friends that inspire me daily, and the term has never given a negative vibe before. And it led to questions. Is this my new identity? If so, what am I called once all of my kids are in school? And what then after they graduate?

I’ve been marinating on this all week and decided that the term just doesn’t fit. For me, to ‘stay at home’ feels like I’m shut in forever. And ‘mom’ as a sole identity feels like we do nothing but mother.

When in reality we, as women… do so much more. Inside our home we are executive chef, event planner, interior designer, photographer, head housekeeper, purchaser, information technology, librarian, director of human resources, accountant, manager of operations, educator, and activity director.

We are also intelligent and resourceful, many with advanced education and small businesses on the side. We are farm hands & gardeners & landscape artists & environmentalists & animal welfare advocates.

I’m still tossing around ideas for what I would rather be called, but Chief Family Operating Officer (CFOO) is sounding pretty good so far.

Honestly though, I’m finding comfort in traditions these days. I think I’m going to call myself a…

HOMEMAKER