You may know that the husband is the head of the household. But we often overlook that the wife is the household manager. Let's face it, any mother who has successfully managed a house full of kids is qualified to manage just about any business. She knows how to handle inventory (clothes and groceries), manage schedules, resolve conflict, and maybe even deal with a disorganized boss.

So how can a husband help his wife do an even better job as a mother? She probably has the management side down pretty well. If you get too involved in that side of the family (without some input from your wife), you'll probably just muddle things up for her. But what can a husband offer that will make her even more effective?

The answer is vision. When a husband works with his wife to give the family a vision for the future, she now has a purpose for her management. She has a goal. And when the father and mother are striving together for a goal, the whole family has a purpose.

To give your family a vision, all you have to do is answer some questions. For instance, "what does God want your children to become when they're grown?" Or "what is it that would give you the most satisfaction from your children when they're grown?" Hopefully, you'll say that they have a heart after God. With that question answered, you can now begin to determine what it is that can help them develop that heart.

Another question might be "how do you want your children to behave when they're grown up?" If you want them to be respectful, courteous, and grateful adults, then you start training them when they're young.

Other questions you might want to ask include:

* How do you want your children to talk when they're adults?

* How do you want your children to dress when they're adults?

* Who do you want your children to choose for friends when they're grown?

* How do you want your children to handle money?

* How do you want your children to eat when they're on their own?

You may not be able to answer and address all of these questions at one time. But you can begin to work with your wife to answer these questions and then set out to train your kids accordingly.

Before long, you'll see that there are a lot more questions you need to ask and answer. These might include "how do you want your children to respond to a boss?" or "how do you want your children to handle adversity?" These -- and many others -- are all questions a husband needs to explore with his wife.

As you answer each question, it gives your wife a vision for the future. It also helps her manage the family with more purpose and design. She won't be stuck at home feeling like she doesn't have purpose. It will also help you be the spiritual leader of your home, as you explore Scripture to find the answers to these questions.