Spouse in the House: Rearranging Our Attitudes to Make Room for Each Other

Written by Cynthia Ruchti and Becky Melby

Narrated by Lisa Larsen

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 co-exist 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 of the discomfort. They dig into the ways God's Word addresses the topic, and they offer practical tips for learning the spiritual, emotional, relational, and even physical steps that can help listeners replace irritation with peace.

For any Christian 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ChristianAudio.com
• Release date: Oct 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781545920114

Cynthia Ruchti

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope. She’s the award-winning author of 16 books and a frequent speaker for women’s ministry events. She serves as the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers, where she helps retailers, libraries, and book clubs connect with the authors and books they love. She lives with her husband in Central Wisconsin. Visit her online at CynthiaRuchti.com.

Reviews for Spouse in the House

[leann-362203 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I believe books like this come to us just when we need them. This book really hit home with me. As we transition into a "semi retirement" stage of our lives this book has addressed issues that we are dealing with right now. The authors use Biblical principles, humor and their own personal stories to show us ways to refocus and readjust our lives to thrive in a new phase of life as a married couple. They are definitely speaking from a place of experience. This book is not just for the retiring, though. If you have found yourself and your spouse home more because of a new "work from home" plan, a military spouse returning home, or unemployment due to recent circumstances this can be a great encouragement to you. It has changed how I view our new situation and how I respond to my husband.

[jbarr5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Spouse in the House: Rearranging Our Attitudes to Make Room for Each Other by Cynthia Ruchti and Becky MelbyWanted to read this book as my spouse had been let go, they elimiated his position, back in january. He'd been with the company for 27 years.Not going to retire til he's 66 1/3 so that leaves about a year left. After collecting unemployment and trying to keep up to date on computer things, that was his job, he got bored.Tried getting him hobbies and he did enjoy a few but he will save them for when he does retire. We got a lot accomplished in the house while he was home, cleaning out things.This book will be right up my alley as I've been there, survived it and no T shirt.Book starts with praise from others and table of contents.Story starts where the authors have alternating chances to state their facts. Sometimes you just have to laugh, if you've been there before.There are a lot of sidenotes that I found very helpful along the way. A lot of comprising and trying not to step on each others toes.I was lucky my spouse did go back to his old job-they renamed it something different and only out of work for 4 1/2 months. Now we know what to expect when he does retire.Like conversations in the book also so you can see the other side of things.What I found most helpful was inspriationsal charts at the very end. Never put things in columns before but it was so clear to actually see the words there.Book ends with acknowledgements, a louse of a spouse, unsafe place and where to get help. This was eye opening for those who need it and for those of us who don't we may know others who can use this information.Bible passages are included as well. Like questions at the end helping your spouse find his place in the house you are also living in.Resources and notes are also included at the end.Other works by the authors are listed. Very worthwhile book. So glad I got to read it.Won this book in a contest and this is my honest opinion.

[harley0326 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought this book was very timely for many of us. As our lives have changed due to economy and a virus some people find themselves at home with their spouse twenty-four hours a day. My husband retired last year so we have spent more together than ever. I enjoy being with him, but sometimes we need our own space. The authors do a great job of giving us practical tips while sharing fun stories to help us cope with the changes in our lives. It is easy to forget about your spouse when you are use to being at home alone. In this book, we hear great advice and I especially liked reading what their husbands thoughts were. The book has helped me adjust a bit more to being with my husband day and night but I sure wouldn’t trade those days for anything. We all have our ups and downs, but the book reminds us to work together and find humor when possible. What a great gift this would make for couples to read together as they enter into a new season in their marriage. I received a copy of this book from Read With Audra Blogging Tour. The review is my own opinion.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

We often hear of wives who have a hard time adjusting when their husbands retire and are home all of the time. but this book certainly isn't just for couples of retirement age. After living through a pandemic, and experiencing, for many months, 'home together, all of the time', this is a book that we all can relate to. Authors Cynthia Ruchti and Becky Melby have joined together, with the aid of several other women, to offer us a 'how-to' on the subject of togetherness, and they've even asked their own spouses, Ruchti's 'Wonderhubby' and Melby's 'Dr. Snuggles', to add their male perspective to the mix! 'Most of us, no matter how old we are when we marry, are woefully clueless about the many layers hidden between "for better, for worse", and "as long as you both shall live."'Spouse in the House takes a realistic look at this new stage of existence, when couples are together all of the time, and suggests ways to adjust to this togetherness. Along with the mentions of problems and struggles, there are also many nuggets of wisdom and inspiration. Encouragement is freely given, God's Word is abundantly shared, and humor makes it a joy to read. This book is a wonderful resource that you will want to share with others!I received a complimentary copy from Kregel Publications but there was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.