There are many theories about what caused the Fall of the Roman Empire in the 4-5th centuries; no one knows the real answer, but many historians feel it ended with Rumulus Augustus in or around 476 because of epidemic, decadence, and/or changing demographics in Europe, the influx of new bands of people (Goths and other tribes) coming up from the South and East.
The Fall of the Roman Empire has been a touchstone for how we (Society) feel about an impending doom of our own; when we start to get cocky as a Nation or think things could maybe go sideways if we don’t get our lives in order, a symbol of our own fears.
And that works for me.
I am constantly reminded of the potential destruction of my own Roman Empire (not really an Empire, merely a metaphor) on a daily basis and the key to keeping us a float is…
Our stay-at-home mom.
I have three boys, eleven, nine and six. I own multiple businesses and am starting another and I coach every sport to spend more time with my boys and their friends. I want them to know me as they grow up. I awaken early each day and run from fire to fire in hopes of accomplishing something.
But my job is nothing, nothing, compared to what my wife does for our family:
• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Shopping
• Bus driver
• Scheduling
• Organizing
• Tutoring
• Staying Hot
• Love
• Discipline
• Entertaining, as time permits
If I go down, they get a trained monkey to fill my shoes. She goes down… the Empire falls.
And this is just my example.
The stay-at-home spouse in many modern families is the dad. Why is this controversial? The frickin’ dude is probably a rock star. Have you ever tried to stay at home and run the show?
No, because going to work is way the hell easier. Kids are brutal to watch all day.
So this brings me to my point… I don’t care how you define it, you need a good partner in life, whether for your family, your business, whatever. It’s not always pretty, it’s not always rosy, it’s not always unicorns and rainbows, but a solid partner is the key to your success.
Best joke that encapsulates all this…
Santa asks a stay-at-home Mom what she would like for Christmas:
Mom: May I have a magical unicorn that can do anything I wish?
Santa: How ‘bout something realistic?
The Mom pauses.
Mom: Five minutes to go to the bathroom alone and then ten minutes to drink my coffee in silence?
Santa: What color unicorn you want?
Respect. Booyakasha!