"A Mother's Rule of Life"

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“A Mother’s Rule of Life” was written by Holly Pierlot, and published by Sophia Institute. It’s meant to help a stay-at-home mother make good use of her time, keep an orderly home, and balance the many duties of her vocation: Prayer, Person, Partner, Parent, and Provider. Although the author is a homeschooling mom, the suggestions seem like they’d be helpful for all women who are, or plan to be, “keepers at home.” (It might even make a good bridal shower gift.)

When I mentioned this book in another thread, I discovered that several of us have read it. Here’s a place where we can share our experiences with putting its suggestions into practice!

Looking forward to hearing from you. 🙂

God bless,
Mrs. R
 
Wheeeeee! Thanks for starting this thread! I don’t have much to say YET, I have just started … well trying to. I am stuck with this thought that my house has to be spotless and perfectly in order before I start applying her principles on how to have an orderly life. Makes no sense … someone smack me!
 
I haven’t read it but have heard great things. The author has an article in Faith and Family this month about budgeting. She seems really down to earth.

I would say ‘baby steps’ are always the way to make progress in these areas. Don’t feel overwhelmed and give up!

We should start a Catholic version of Flylady!

Nicole
 
I like Flylady too.:cool: I read Rule of Life quickly, intending to go back and reread it slowly. After a quick read through, I made a few minor changes, and WOW! What a differance. So now I am going back through it with my notebook and pencil, answering questions and designing my schedule. I really hope people respond to this thread, I would like to hear from people who have applied the principles spoke of in the book. Okay, I am looking for testimonies!:yup:
 
After reading this thread, I went searching for a few reviews of this book. It sounds wonderful. I’ll have to get it on of these days, it’s just not in the budget right now though. Have you all read Holiness for Housewives?
 
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MamaAtHome:
Have you all read Holiness for Housewives?
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🙂 I have an old copy, with the original title, “Praying While You Work.” It originally belonged to my mother-in-law, who passed away recently. She was a lovely and devout woman, and I hope to become more like her, so the book was a double blessing for me. I found the spiritual advice inspiring, although I was amused by many of the examples, which were from 1940’s England and bore almost no resemblance to my daily life. It seems like the housewife’s biggest chores at that time were hiring servants, canning gooseberries, and sewing labels on the children’s clothes before sending them to boarding school! 😛

“Mother’s Rule” has a slightly different focus. It’s more about getting one’s daily tasks done in an orderly way, through scheduling and establishing priorities. (I’d love to contribute something substantial to the discussion, but I only found the book a few days ago, and have yet to figure out how to get started!)

God bless,
Mrs. R
 
I’m reading this book right now and am about half way through it. It’s awesome! :clapping:

It’s already changed my attitude about my work as a stay at home mom, and I’ve joined my dh in his daily bible study before he goes of to work!

I realize now that what I am - a wife and mom - is a vocation, so in a way, I’m a “religious.” When we do our tasks during the day, we are honoring God by being faithful to the vocation He has called us to.

Besides, look at all our opportunities for mortification: cleaning the toilet, folding yet another load of laundry, poopy diapers, etc! 🙂
 
I have read through the first P, prayer, and have started getting more prayer in my day.

I am working on the second P, person, and want to finish the book before we begin our homeschooling.
I like the book sooooooo very much, and have recommended it to many other moms.

back to read the rest of the posts…
ann marie
 
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mmd:
I realize now that what I am - a wife and mom - is a vocation, so in a way, I’m a “religious.” When we do our tasks during the day, we are honoring God by being faithful to the vocation He has called us to.

Besides, look at all our opportunities for mortification: cleaning the toilet, folding yet another load of laundry, poopy diapers, etc! 🙂
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This is the teaching of the Church and you find the theme in many of the lives of saints. St. Therese said even picking up a piece of paper off the floor, if done in service to our Lord, gave glory to Him. St. Josemaria Escriva taught that it is through our daily duties in our vocation (and yes, marriage is a vocation!!) that we glorify God.

I have not read the book, so I can’t make any comments there, but it sounds wonderful!! Always beginning your day with a morning offering for your day, offering all your sacrifices and duties to the cross, and ending with an examination of conscience…these are all the ways we can simply honor and serve our Lord through the day. Oh, and when we fail…we can always begin again!!
 
One of the things I really like about the book, is that the author, I feel, gives a very balanced and inclusive approach to mothering. She stresses the importance of health and efficiency in ALL aspects of our lives to best live our vocation.

It concentrated rightly on the spiritual aspect of our lives, and how to saturate our lives with prayer.
Also, on our emotional health. Sometimes it is important to look at ourselves, and see if any of our behaviours are really “old wounds” in need of healing.
The importance of sleep and proper nutrition. I really needed to hear that one. So often putting everyone else first can be distorted into neglecting yourself. I also appreciated how she put the “time for yourself” into perspective. It wasn’t the typical “me…me…me or I deserve it attitude”. Instead it was how these things are necesssary to be able to serve at our best. It helped me to understand that in taking care of myself, I am actually serving my family, instead of taking away from them or being selfish.

Also the practical tips on living our vocation in an orderly and efficient way were priceless. I have recommended this book to all the mom’s I know.
 
Since the birth of my 3rd child, I am now a SAHM. I am overjoyed at being able to be home with my kids full time, but I am feeling a bit at loose ends. It sounds like ‘A mothers rule’ is a good book for putting some structure and focus into my new role. Anyone have any updates on how the ‘rule’ is working in your homes? I think I will ask DH to get me this book for mother’s day.

peace,
Nae
 
I read the book last summer and implemented many of the ideas. It really helped me set priorities to do what is important in life, and I found the children seemed happier with a more predictable schedule.

I liked her idea of outside time for the children while she stayed inside and prayed. That made my prayer time much better. I got away from that in winter, and I need to re-establish their time outside as my prayer time.

I also found that a scheduled snack times helped my sanity, because otherwise they filtered through the kitchen all day long, one after the other, constantly demanding food.

Before I even saw this post I was thinking I needed to re-establish some more structure, (and add a set time for Catholic Answers forums so I don’t play here too much. :))

If you’re a mom and haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it. She offers many “tricks of the trade” to raising a large family without chaos. And thanks for this thread–I think it’s time for me to re-read the book.
 
I haven’t read or heard of this book, but I plan on trying to get a copy today.

I am soon to be Mom of three boys. I work from home by doing the bookkeeping for our family business. I find it sometimes overwelming to be Mom, Wife, Bookkeeper and Maid all at the same time. Then to find time for prayer…right now the bathtub is the only place I can find (Ha!)

I think I need this book! Right now I am reading “The Apostolate of Holy Motherhood” -

BTW - I am Episcopalian…and love Catholic books.

Any more books that anyone can recommend?
 
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DJgang:
BTW - I am Episcopalian…and love Catholic books.

Any more books that anyone can recommend?
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Actually, my all time favorite books are by an Anglican, CS Lewis! If I ever get to heaven I plan on finding Dr Lewis and giving him a big hug for helping me come back to Christ and the Catholic church.

As for Catholic books, Dr Scott Hahn’s “The Lambs Supper” (?) was a real eye opener to me on what is going on in the Mass, and how it relates to the Book of Revelation. Dr Hahn is very readable.

Are you thinking specifically of Catholic parenting books?

peace,
Nae
 
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Rivera:
Actually, my all time favorite books are by an Anglican, CS Lewis! If I ever get to heaven I plan on finding Dr Lewis and giving him a big hug for helping me come back to Christ and the Catholic church.

As for Catholic books, Dr Scott Hahn’s “The Lambs Supper” (?) was a real eye opener to me on what is going on in the Mass, and how it relates to the Book of Revelation. Dr Hahn is very readable.

Are you thinking specifically of Catholic parenting books?

peace,
Nae
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Rivera - Thanks for your post. I have read one book by Scott Hahn (can’t think of it now, borrowed from my Catholic friend) and just finished Kimberly Hahn’s Life-Giving Love.

Not specifically looking for Catholic parenting books, but more like books to help me right now. Just the general feeling of overwelmness (if that’s a word) in life. My husband works probably 12 hours a day - I work two or three days a week at bookkeeping for our business…while I do have my Mom to help out on those days, I’m just starting to feel like a single mom and just need help, spiritually and emotionally. Right now, I am 6 months pregnant with our third son - nesting has set in (if you know what I mean) and I am wearing myself out. Really more like getting burned out…so I didn’t mean to rant, but figured someone out there will know of a book I can read.

Also, If anyone knows of a audio that I may be able to get for my husband…that would be very helpful. He’s overworking and leaving his responsibilites at the front door when he comes home…so Help! I recently heard a “seminar” on Catholic Radio and have no idea who the speaker was. He was speaking on how to be a good husband, loving husband and how to love your wife. He was also speaking on Fatherhood. Anyone?
 
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Rivera:
sounds like Steve Wood. Check out his website:
dads.org/
more later after I get the kids in bed!
nae
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That’s got to be it! Where to start? Do you have any suggestions?

Ha - I’ve got my kids in bed…I think I will head to the tub…God time!

Thanks for the link!
 
I am so glad this thread got bumped up to the top. This book sounds wonderful! I have been a SAHM for 2 years now and some days I feel like I’m just “going through the motions” of life instead of living life. Maybe I can get some insight from this book.

I can’t wait to check it out! Thanks! 🙂
 
My kids are all in school, but my office is in my home, this sounds like something I should read 🙂 Thanks for the insight!
 
Hey DJ Gang,

Before I forget, congrats on #3 on the way. I have a girl and 2 boys and hope for at least one more baby before I’m all done.

I am thinking back on the Catholic books that have had the most impact on me, and I have to recommend anything by Mother Teresa (‘Heart full of Love’ is one) and the biography of St Louis De Montfort (‘Wisdom’s Fool’). The saints are wonderful models of lives empty of selfish ends and full of love for Christ. If you would like really interesting Catholic tapes on a variety of topics, the Mary Foundation (www.catholicity.com) has a selection you can get for free (although they would like a small donation if possible).

I ordered my MROL the other night, and I am anxious to get my copy and begin reading it!

nae
 
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