"The ultimate result of all ambition is to be happy at home," stated Samuel Johnson, eighteenth-century writer and literary critic. Yes, finding happiness at home is a quest of quests. The intent of this book is to help women, regardless of what stage in life they might be in or what special challenges they might be facing, to find such happiness.

Newlyweds, students, and others who are setting up homes for the first time will find tips in this volume for managing a small place with limited time. We have included suggested lists for such things as stocking cupboards and putting together a "beginner" household. The book teaches how to form good habits and effective practices early on, so there will be no need for damage control later.

Busy mothers of active children will discover in these pages some skills needed to keep in the air the many balls they are trying to juggle. It could make one exhausted just observing how frequently these mothers drive their cars in and out of the driveway transporting children to and from seemingly countless games, lessons, and activities. Mothers do this and much more, all while striving to have dinner ready when the family gets home at night. The "tricks of the trade" listed in this book provide simple solutions to keep these otherwise hectic schedules manageable.

Women with careers and who are attempting to do the work of two often face almost impossible schedules. The book has some very practical advice for them in their demanding double-duty roles.

Single mothers who do it all, all by themselves, can lighten their load a little by following the suggestions outlined in the chapter designed to help them meet their many unique challenges. Furthermore, the book provides tips for engaging their children's help, teaching them how to work, and lists examples of age-appropriate chores.

Many women feel overwhelmed with housework and struggle with home management responsibilities. To those who have not seen the bottom of the kitchen sink for three days, the bottom of the laundry basket for three weeks, nor the floor in the children's playroom for three months, we urge you to read on. This book offers help and hope.

Even women who are not fully committed to the tasks involved in home management can find help in this volume. One such woman happened into my class on home management. Too embarrassed to leave, she sat for the hour. Later she was heard to comment, "That presentation didn't do a thing for me." Then she hesitated and added, "Well, afterwards, I did clean out my purse."

There are many women--more than we are even aware --who suffer from health problems of one sort or another, and struggle through life in low gear. Sometimes they are not in any gear at all, or at least they feel they are not. A number of them report that just getting out of bed in the morning seems to require the effort of moving a mountain. Much of what they do in a day-even being pleasant-requires heroic effort. We believe those who suffer emotionally, mentally, and physically will find understanding, comfort, and hope in these pages.

Families with a member who has a disability face other unique challenges. Managing the work load for such families can be a huge undertaking. It is important that parents, while caring for their child with a disability, also foster love and kindness among other family members rather than resentment and jealousy. Some who have successfully met these challenges graciously share their experiences herein.

Stay-at-home mothers who are making a personal priority choice by leaving the office and marketplace to return home to be with their children can discover exciting new challenges and unprecedented fulfillment in the home. These women, who are used to doing things in a professional way, are likely to appreciate knowing that the principles that helped them to be efficient and effective at the office are in many cases the same principles that will help them to manage their homes well.

Even though this is not a book on child guidance and discipline, we have included some helpful parenting tips. We have also included a chapter listing some sound principles for teaching children the work ethic. One chapter discusses teaching children to love and serve the Lord. We trust mothers and fathers will both find this useful.

Those who excel in home management will go through these pages like a bee after nectar in a petunia patch. They are eager to adopt every good idea. They are on the lookout for any improved method and for faster or better ways of getting the job done. They do the extras and add the soft touches in the home. They find opportunity to enjoy their husbands and children as they interact in positive ways and build strong relationships. Fulfillment, rather than frustration, is theirs. Rewards and even joy abound. These home management specialists will appreciate this book most of all.

Actually, there is some of almost every one of the above categories in each of us. We are all in search of answers to our questions, solutions to our problems, suggestions for improvement, and ideas for new ways to excel. Even "good" homemakers do not have it all together every day in every way. Everyone struggles at some time in some way. Challenges confront all of us. Each of us has times of discouragement, even despair, when we feel completely inadequate for the task at hand. Guilt stalks us and regret and remorse haunt us. Everyone feels like a failure at one time or another.

Each of us has days or even seasons when we just plain have too much to do, when we are so exhausted we have only enough energy to cry, when responsibility overwhelms us, when we feel paralyzed by problems, and when we feel stressed and stretched to the point of breaking. For one reason or another, a "bad house day" happens to all of us.

The hope is to have many more good days than bad ones and to experience joy in our daily lives. To bring this about, our best efforts are required; yes, to be happy at home is the result of all ambition. To this purpose, we have dedicated The Ultimate Career: The Art of Homemaking for Today.
                                                                       -- Daryl Hoole