How does she do it?"� How does she make running a household look so effortless? More importantly, how can I be better? What can I do to be a better housewife? Whether your vision is that of June Cleaver, Claire Huxtable or settling for the chaotic yet authentic home life of Rosanne, there are things we can do to make the daily demands of our households run smoothly and organized. Here are a few ideas:

Make your list and check it twice

Who doesn't love a good, hearty do-to list? It could be a cleaning list, grocery list, or a list of errands. Lists guide us through our day. Make your lists, put them up where you can see them. Then, keep a pen nearby to cross off tasks when completed.

Don't go to bed with dishes in the sink

There are very few things more discouraging than waking up to a sink filled with dishes. Make it a priority to have all the dishes loaded into the dishwasher. If the dishwasher is fully loaded, start it before going to bed. When you wake up to an empty sink, you will find a little more motivation for your other tasks and errands for the day.

Plan your meals in weekly increments

Instead of trying to figure out a daily schedule for meals each night, dedicate one day a week to making a menu. I love making a weekly menu because then I know exactly what items I need to buy for the week. Also, check store ads for food items that are on special and coordinate your meal schedule with these sale items. Gather coupons that will help save additional money. I enjoy allowing my family to choose the menu. In this way, the family will be more likely to eat it since they played a part in selecting it for a scheduled meal.

Don't try to be the "perfect"� housewife

This will only cause anxiety and stress. Remember that you are only human. Everyone is allowed to have those days where life is just a little "off"�. While you may expect a flawless performance from yourself, nobody else expects pure perfection. Don't be so hard on yourself. Allow yourself a few mistakes here and there and a take-out pizza from time to time. You deserve a good break now and then. When you feel rejuvenated, you will be ready to take on the day, again.

Try to be the most effective housewife for your family. Do what is best for you, and your family's needs. Find what works for you and stick to it. If your family responds to chore lists, be sure to delegate your tasks so the entire family can participate in keeping the household running efficiently. Overall, be aware of what needs to be done and prioritize your activities and tasks. While your duties may be not require a long commute or a business suit, your job as a house "wife" or "husband" is to run the home. This is one of the most challenging jobs of all.