Author: Cynthia Ruchti & Becky Melby
Publisher: Kregel
Genre: Relationships, Christian Living
Source: Kregel Publications
My Review:
The concept for Spouse in the House started long before a pandemic forced many families to be home together. While the authors are specifically speaking to couples who are entering their retirement years, many of the concepts outlined in this book can be used during any transition where people are new to living together.
The concepts could be implemented for college roommates, a newly married couple, a family in the middle of a pandemic, layoff, or, yes, even a pandemic.
It's not always-okay, it rarely is-a smooth transition when two bodies share the same air.
Cynthia and Becky take turns sharing personal stories and challenges that they have encountered with their marriages, and from their friends. There are quite a few adjustments in a family when a spouse enters retirement (or a lay-off) as the family adjusts to a new schedule and the shake-up of all the routines. I know when my family was quarantined at the beginning of the pandemic, even though we homeschooled, it was very difficult for me and the kids, as well as my husband when he was forced to work at home.
The biggest conflict was in my head, in my idea that our home was my domain and my time should be my own.
I enjoyed the story Cynthia tells at the beginning of the book about how this book come to fruition. While this concept was started long before the pandemic, it is timely, not only for those who are entering retirement but for those who are starting to share a space, working at home (or school) with others. With humor and grace, Cynthia and Becky have weaved a wonderful book together that will never lose its relevancy.
Couples go to premarital counseling before saying 'I do.' Why doesn't somebody create preretirement counseling so we're ready to say, 'I still do. All. The. Time?'
While I would recommend this book to anyone who is adjusting to a spouse in the house, I would say it also has great information for married couples on how to treat each other in general. I highlighted and circled quite a bit of nuggets of wisdom that I can use now (hubby is back at work full-time!) and stuff that will be more applicable at the time that he retires.
 |
A frank and funny look at what to do when together is too close
Two’s
company, especially for those who love each other. So what happens
when—due to retirement, working from home, or even running a business
together—spouses find that being in the same space all the time is
awkward, complex, annoying, and just plain challenging? How can partners
coexist without co-exhausting each other?
Cynthia Ruchti and
Becky Melby know all too well how adjusting to a new, all-the-time
closeness can cause the bliss of marriage to form blisters. Drawing from
their experiences, and from men and women across the country in the
same situation, the authors take a deep breath and dive into the root
causes. They dig into what God’s Word has to say, and they offer
practical tips for learning the spiritual, emotional, relational, and
even physical steps that can help readers replace irritation with peace.
For
any couple who wants their home to be a refuge of peace and serenity
for all—not just themselves—and who wants to know they aren't alone in
the mental and physical claustrophobia of too much togetherness, Spouse
in the House is a vulnerable, charming, and pragmatic breath of hope.
Click here to read an excerpt from Spouse in the House. |
|
|
Cynthia Ruchti
tells stories hemmed in hope through her novels, novellas, devotions,
and nonfiction, and through speaking for women’s events, retreats,
writers’ conferences, and workshops. She draws from 33 years of
experience writing and producing the 15-minute daily radio broadcast,
“The Heartbeat of the Home.” Ruchti’s
more than thirty books have garnered reader, retailer, reviewer, and
other industry awards. She serves as Professional Relations Liaison for
American Christian Fiction Writers, is a founding board member of the
Deliver Hope ministry and is part of the worship team at her church.
She’s also a literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management. Ruchti and her husband, Bill, live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and six grandchildren. Learn more about Cynthia Ruchti and her writing at cynthiaruchti.com or by following her on Facebook (@CynthiaRuchtiReaderPage), Instagram (@cynthiaruchtiauthor), and Twitter (@cynthiaruchti). |
|
|
 |
Becky Melby has authored more than twenty novels and novellas. Spouse in the House is her first non-fiction book release.
The
Melbys have four sons and fifteen grandchildren and make their home in
southeastern Wisconsin. When not writing or spoiling grandchildren, she
may be found touring the country with Bill in their camper or on their
Honda Gold Wing motorcycle.
Find out more about Becky Melby’s books at beckymelby.com or follow her on Facebook (becky.melby.9) and Instagram (@beckymelbybooks). She also shares short blog posts each Friday on the Fill My Cup, Lord page on Facebook.
Sounds like a helpful book. My husband and I have both been retired now for about 2 years and we're still adjusting.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine that it takes quite a while!
Delete