The author (not pictured) used her stay-at-home PTO to tackle household to-do list items. Annette Riedl/picture alliance via Getty Images

Leaning out

It was day two of my stay-at-home PTO. This is the time off that isn't for traveling or relaxing, but — as I told my group chat — to be a housewife.

And over three days, I was productive: I decluttered a closet, replaced a broken appliance, and even enjoyed a Pilates class at 11 a.m. Not only did I accomplish goals that had gotten dusty on my to-do list, but I also noticed other positive benefits. I listened more to my children and felt more present.

As an executive, I immediately wanted to repeat this: three days at the start of every quarter to simply be a housewife.

It's just one solution for what so many millennial women and mothers are trying to figure out as they climb the corporate ladder.…