Lifeline to Young Mothers

By Paula Lytle

Lifeline to Young Mothers is written for young mothers struggling in this role. Four areas of knowledge are discussed: housekeeping, enjoying and disciplining children, creating easy, nutritious meals, and taking care of yourself. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions are given for young women who did not have role models from whom to learn these lessons.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 23, 2010
• ISBN: 9781453536711

Paula Lytle

Paula Lytle shares easy-to-apply tips from her thirty-six years of marriage to her college sweetheart, Steve. She has a burden for young mothers and wives who feel overwhelmed in their roles in their homes. She and Steve raised two children, Josh and Emily. Both of their children’s families, which now include three rambunctious grandsons, live close and help in the family business. After earning her masters degree, Paula taught elementary school for twenty-five years with an eight-year break to be a stay-at-home mom. Knowledge gained from thirty-six years of hands-on experience as a wife, mother, grandmother, and mentor have provided the basis for the book.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Lifeline For Housekeeping

Fortunately I grew up in a traditional home (for the 50’s and 60’s). I had watched my mom manage the household responsibilities—everything from making beds, taking care of laundry, ironing, dusting, mopping, buying groceries, washing windows twice a year, cooking, having dinner ready when my dad got home from work, canning vegetables from our garden, and sewing most of my clothes. However, the key word is watched, I really had not managed all of these chores even though I could do each one individually.

When I got married, I had just finished college, so I was used to getting my schoolwork done and then playing tennis, racket ball, fixing my hair, lying in the sun, going out on a date, or pretty much whatever I wanted to do. I quickly found out that marriage and being a homemaker was not a do whatever I want to do situation. Even though I had had a good role model, I had somehow pictured marriage to be like the 50’s sitcoms. On these shows Lucille Ball, June Cleaver, and Donna Reed always managed to be beautifully dressed (in dresses with matching jewelry or a string of pearls) and to have their hair perfectly styled. Their houses were always magically clean and straight although you rarely saw them doing the housework. Meals were always ready for husbands even though you did not see the food preparation.

Moving from this mindset into the real world caused my first meltdown. About a month into marriage, I realized how much time it took to do all the chores. After a month of housecleaning (all the dirt and clutter kept coming back), cooking three times a day (by the time I finished cleaning up, it was time to start the next meal), and carrying laundry up and down three flights of steps to our third floor apartment, I broke down in tears as the realization of what my mom had done for 30 years washed over me. To do a good job was going to take a lot of work! I sobbed as I tried to explain my dilemma to my poor, bewildered husband.

Gradually, I learned to look at the small steps it takes to accomplish the big jobs and I felt less overwhelmed. Through 35 years of a very happy marriage, I have actually learned to like keeping house. Attitude has played a big part in that. As I have grown and matured in my walk with the Lord, I have learned that serving is something to be desired rather than resented, and whom would I rather serve than my husband and family? I believe there is no greater calling than creating a home that is a haven from the hectic world in which we live. I realized I had the opportunity to create heaven in my home.

The purpose of this book is to share simple, easy ways to conquer four major areas of being a wife and mother. These areas are housecleaning, disciplining and enjoying children, preparing simple nutritious, economic meals, and taking care yourself to increase your energy and attractiveness.

Now to those young wives and mothers reading this, let me share some easy simple ways I have learned through the years to help you get over that feeling of being overwhelmed. First of all, start with your thoughts and words telling yourself, I am in control of my home. I can create a wonderful oasis to which my husband will be grateful to come home and find peace and rest. There is nothing I can’t conquer. I will use my creative abilities to create beauty and order. Speaking positive words to yourself, even when you don’t feel like it is true, will go a long