The past three weeks I have been reading through a number of library books that I picked up on the subject of homemaking. Since I often feel that I know virtually nothing about homemaking and am trying to improve in this God-given role, I am on a hot pursuit to learn everything I can about it and have been devouring every book I can find on the topic.
I have found that is often hard to find good suggestions…even on the internet(!)…for good homemaking books. So…I thought I ought to do some quick reviews on these books for anyone who is looking for some good books on homemaking. So here they are!
Handbook for Christian Homemakers
This was probably my favorite book of the five as it was the most down-to-earth, balanced and practical book that I had read. Edith Kilgo opens the book by emphasizing that no homemaking method is right for everyone and therefore, homemakers should not be concerned with what “So-and-so” is doing, but should be doing what is best for her own family - to create her own style and her own plan (sounds good to me!). After reminding the reader that the house will never be completely spotless, that schedules will never be perfect, and that things get out-of-whack, she gives details on how to cut down on those things as much as possible and how to get your home running smoothly.
The Family Manager
At the onset of reading this book, I was taken aback by her approach to homemaking as something professional…almost corporate-like. I wasn’t sure that I liked that, but couldn’t put my finger on why. As I read on, I realized that her main point was that homemaking is no less of a responsibility than being the CEO of a large organization - it takes discipline, devotion, organization, time-management and…well, you know. Throughout the books she gives instruction on how to manage your home in every respect: food, cleaning, schedules, recreation, and so on.
The Stay-At-Home Mom
If you are wondering whether you should say goodbye to your 8-5 day job and become a stay-at-home mother, this book will motivate and inspire you to give your two week notice! Donna Otto does a wonderful job of explaining God’s call to the mother to disciple and care for her own children and to raise them up in the Lord (a task that no one could do as fervently and passionately as you could do). She really hones in on our ministry as mothers and encourages mothers to remember that “every glass of cool water” that we give to our children and “every scraped knee that we bandage”, we are doing it as if it were to Christ Himself and the Lord is well-pleased with that. She also gives wonderful advice on supporting your husband as a homemaker, being a mentor, managing your home, making money at home, and saving money at home.
Confessions of an Organized Homemaker: The Secrets of Uncluttering Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life
This is a book that I will be getting a copy of for myself. Deneice Schofield is an organizing genius (at least, I think so!) and teaches solid organization principles that will get your home into shape and set up for smoother sailing. Not only does she teach you sound organization principles, but packs the book full of practical ways to get your home, schedule, and family organized.
Organizing Plain and Simple: A Ready Reference Guide with Hundreds of Solutions to Your Everyday Clutter Challenges
This is more of a resource book with step-by-steps on how to organize practically anything in your home that you can imagine. If you need to organize your closet, it’ll give you instructions on how to do that. In this book you’ll find how to organize each room in your home, your finances, time and home life. I found it to be a wonderful resource and can’t wait to organize some of the projects that I’ve been putting off!
Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God (see review here)
The Art of Homemaking (see review here)
I’ve seen other titles out there that I have not read yet, or been able to get my hands on, so if you’ve heard of or read any other good homemaking books, please comment!
Image from everystockphoto.com
Lynn says:
Sashwhy, I loved reading your book reviews, and can so relate to your hunger to read all the books you can get your hands on in order to improve your own homemaking skills. It is exactly how I felt when I first found myself home with zero idea of what I was doing. I, too, read and read, until finally what I read spilled out into a book of my own, one I felt God leading me to write. See if your library has it, it’s called Queen of the Castle: 52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Uninspired, Domestically Challenged or Just Plain Tired Homemaker. I quote a lot of the books you mentioned
Another book I recently read was It’s All Too Much by Peter Walsh. It’s an outstanding book that gives excellent counsel on getting a handle on clutter, if that happens to be an issue for you. It is for me!
April 7th, 2008 at 8:48 pm