A year ago our second daughter was married, and I spent the months leading up to her engagement and wedding with a bit of anxiety, wondering if I had done all I could to prepare her in keeping a home. She grew up with a mother full of faults, one who was not the best role model when it came to keeping house. With children who are now grown up and keeping homes of their own, I am motivated more than ever to step back and take a long hard look at who I am, and who I want to be.
I am living my dream life – a wife, a mother, a family and home to care for. But I am not l living out the dream well. I am lazy about it and I take short cuts. I put my own interests ahead of others. I am taking on new projects and learning new things, but letting the important things slip. So, I am going back to school and work through some of the lessons I’ve tried to teach my daughters. During their teen years, and as they prepare for marriage, our daughters read through a stack of books for inspiration, how-to’s and motivation. I’m going to work through a few of these books, one at a time, and apply the lessons I find there for keeping my home and caring for my family.
Last year, I posted weekly as I read through the Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer. It was a wonderful exercise in discipline. Having to read each chapter and prepare a post for my readers kept me accountable. It was fun, I met some new friends, and I learned some things! I think I’ll do it again. Over the next several weeks I will be reading through Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman. This book is not so much about taking care of a large family as it is about becoming a good manager of your home. I first read through it a few years ago, and have referred to it from time to time since then.
Sadly, this book is now out of print, though I did see some copies available on amazon. You can read more about Kim at her blog where she has shared bits and pieces from her book. Do you have this book already? I invite you to join me as I read through and share here each week what I am learning and how I am applying what I learn. Let’s get the conversation started! Have you read Large Family Logistics? Where you have or have not, which area do you struggle with most when it comes to homemaking? Share in the comment section below!
The posts in this Homemaker Series are:
- Introduction
- Proverbs 31 part 1
- Proverbs 31 part 2
- Goals, Attitude, Time, Discipline
- Creating and Using a Home Management Binder
- Assigning My Days
- Establishing Routines
Sharing this post at Motivation Monday and some of these wonderful places.
As a mom who is still relatively “green,” your humility and openness really, really speaks to me. It’s oddly encouraging to realize that even experienced moms share my struggles. You’re often on my heart for your gift to me (and others) through your blog. I’m reminded of Titus 2 when you share your successes and perceived inadequacies. Thank you!
Thank you, Sara, for your sweet comments. Honesty is hard – a part of me is embarrassed that I struggle with things I think I should have figured out a long time ago. It’s easy to get caught up in the comparison trap, and then hide what we don’t want others to see. We learn about grace and mercy when we share on a ‘real life’ level. That’s what I want to do. Be real.
I am amazed by so many of you “green” moms – I learn alot from watching your lives, your faith, your love for family. We all need each other! That’s what Timothy was writing about to Titus – relationship. Thank you for visiting and commenting, Sara. Have a blessed day, hugs to you and your sweet family!
I loved you’re hidden art of homemaking series. I can’t wait to see/read this one!
I am glad you liked it, Amanda. This will be a fun series, looking forward to sharing my work-in-progress with you!
I love the book Large Family Logistics. I’ve just subscribed to your blog via email so I don’t miss this! I’m going to have to pull it out & read along 🙂
Have a wonderful day
Blessings
Renata:)
Hello, Renata 🙂 Welcome to Apron Strings! I would love for you to read along with me. Looking forward to hearing your insights and tips. I can use all the input and encouragement I can get!
I have not read the book, Linda, but I am going to be following along here with you and look forward to what you have to say! (I enjoyed getting to know you through the Hidden Art series!)
For the record, I think that there are areas in everyone’s life that are a source of struggle. The noble thing to do is to recognize it and learn and grow…with the Lord’s help. He has been convicting me of several of those areas in the past weeks, and your words are an encouragement to me.
Thank you, Cheryl, for your kind words. You have explained very nicely what my goal is with this series – to learn and grow and change, with the Lord’s leading. I am hoping this peek at real life will encourage many. Blessings to you and your family!
I’ve read Large Family Logistics and am working my way through it again. I’m wanting to make my own “homemaking binder”, so am working on that part of the book now. I have a hardback copy from a few years ago, but found the paperback version of the book on sale for $14.95 on Kevin Swanson’s website (Generations with Vision). Looking forward to your posts on the book! =)
hi Sarah 🙂 I’m so glad to know you are gaining valuable information from LFL – I will be re-building my homemaking binder as I work this book again myself. I also, have the hardback version. I forgot there was a paperback version printed. Thank you for the heads up! I hope you’ll join in and share your own learning adventure as you put your homemaking binder together. Blessings!
I love that you say, “I am living my dream life – a wife, a mother, a family and home to care for.”
It’s a reminder to me that this was my dream once too, and yet it’s easy to get focused on the constant work and serving, and not see the joys and benefits I have as well!
What you say is so true, Margo. The work and the serving and the must-do’s take my focus off the really important things, and distract me from all that I love in life. I’m glad you were encouraged today. Blessings to you!
I love Large Family Logistics, but I haven’t been able to implement it well in my family. Perhaps it’s time to try again. I never got the home binder up and going properly.
I have not implemented everything in this book, either, Sara. But that’s ok! My goal is to glean a few treasures and make them work in my family life. I’ll be working on a home binder, but it’ll be MY binder, not a copy of the author’s or anyone else’s. I hope you’ll find encouragement to stay the course and create a loving atmosphere in your home, finding the routine that works for you!
It is so important to teach this art to our daughters. Taking care of a home is an art and such a precious honor.
Thanks for visiting and linking up with us at Good Tips Tuesday – http://www.sherrylwilson.com/good-tips-tuesday-8/
You are right, Sherryl, it is a precious honor. And I’d like to work harder and do a better job of nurturing my family. Thank you for taking time to stop by and leave your lovely comment!
Hi! I saw this shared on the Raising Arrows FB page. I have this book but have yet to read it. Maybe I’ll be motivated to do so along with you guys. I have four kids 5 and under, so routine is something I’m about to start working on. I’ve got a pretty good system going but I plan to change things up soon to include schooling, gym (for me), etc. I’m not sure yet how it will all work out and I’m sure we’ll have some trial and error. Looking forward to going through this book with you!
You are a busy Mama, Kama! Our first 4 were ages 6 and under, and then after a big break, we had 4 more ages 5 and under, so I know what you mean about looking for routine. It seems to be something that is always needing tweaking in our home, but it really makes life flow more smoothly, and helps us get back on track when we get pulled off the path by interruptions and distractions. I’m working on the next post now, slowly working through the first section. So glad you’ll be joining me!
I LOVE The Complete Tightwad Gazette! When I read it I thought I’d just look in the index for articles that interested me and just bounce around the book, but then I just started reading from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. It’s a great book!
hi Jessica! So glad you saw that little gem tucked in there. It is a treasure trove of practical, common sense tips and ideas, but so much fun to read. Thank you for stopping in and sharing your thoughts today. Blessings!
Umm, this post should have MY name on it. Maybe we’re twins who were separated at birth. We have 3 girls,3 boys, ages 25 to 8. My two oldest girls are 24 and 18, so I’ve tried to teach them what I’ve needed to learn myself over the years, but I haven’t REALLY learned them. I’ve done the LFL notebook and have ALL the same books in your stack. Maybe I’ve assimilated more than I think, more than I would have without stretching myself, but I think I should be much farther down the road than I am. I truly wish I weren’t such a scattered, inconsistent person, and I’ve earnestly prayed about it for many years. Right now, I’m fighting metastatic breast cancer that’s in my lungs and liver, so I’m blessed to be taken care of by my family. I just pray the day will come when I’m blessed to be the one caring for them again. I’ll definitely be following the blog to see how your progress goes. God bless.
Hello, Beth! How nice to find a kindred spirit 🙂 I think we probably have learned and assimilated more than we realize. And we have to remind ourselves that all the wonderful advice printed between the covers of a book does not necessarily give us a full view of what our lives will look like. The secret is to glean what is pertinent to us in the here and now, and leave the rest. I hope this series blesses and encourages you.
What a blessing that you have your family caring for you these days, when you need them. That tells me you’ve done a great job, Mom! I pray for the Lord’s strength and comfort and healing in your life, as you battle this – remember, in Him there is Victory!
Linda…I do not own the book you wrote about however I do own other books that I will working through with my daughter. I have heard that Large Family Logistics book is a good read. It’s sad its out of print. Anyhow, we are putting together a homemaking container (for lack of a better word). It has files and information I believe she will need one day as a homemaker. Thank you for sharing your post at WJIM’s Monday’s Musings. Have a blessed week.
Your homemaking container is a wonderful idea, Naomi. It will help her be well prepared when you homekeeping days arrive. What a special gift. What books will you be working through with your daughter? I’m always happy for good recommendations. We still have 2 daughters and 3 sons at home and I have plenty of need to learn more! Thank you for taking time to stop in and comment – I am always encouraged by what you share here and at WJIM. Blessings!
Hi Linda. Great Post. Thanks for linking at Pintastic Pinteresting Party! Homemaking certainly has its challenges. Mine is that I am not innately organized. I have had to learn a lot about organizing because it just doesn’t come naturally to me. Since we bought this home and made it into a Bed and Breakfast, it has become ever more important for me to be organized and keep my home neat and tidy. It’s a work in progress, although, generally speaking, the public areas of the house, usually look pretty good.
Hello Regina 🙂 thank you for your sweet comments. I understand about not being naturally organized, and as the mom of many, there are things I have had to learn just to make life flow more smoothly. I’ve always thought it would be such fun (and yes, a lot of work!) to run a b&b. Having to be ready for visitors at all times would probably improve my homemaking skills!