Book Summary: Wife for Life: The Power to Succeed in Marriage

 

Title: Wife for Life: The Power to Succeed in Marriage

Author: Ramona Zabriskie

Basic Overview:

Wife for Life is the best marriage book I have ever read—and I’ve read a lot of them! The author Ramona Zabriskie starts the book by detailing how, as a relative newlywed, she wanted to divorce her husband, and how everyone in her life said that she should—because after all, he really was a jerk! Just days from signing the divorce papers however, she had a change of heart and decided to keep working at it.  

This book is a collection of Ramona’s horrifying mistakes (her poor husband!), inspiring lessons learned (her lucky husband!), and is chock full of examples that anyone who’s been in a relationship can relate to. It is by turns entertaining, cringe-inducing, and full of lessons that go straight to your heart. As one of my friends who is in her (happy) second marriage, mused thoughtfully, “I wonder if I had read this book earlier, if I would still be married to my first husband.” It certainly gives you a lot to think about.

What I Liked Most:

Ramona’s biggest goal is to help women understand the men in their lives better. She does this so well, that not only do I “get” my husband better, but I understand my sons and other males in my life much better than I used to.  Ramona is also completely relate-able, and that is one reason she resonates so strongly with everyone I know who has read her book. I love how she shows how much power women have, and that to fix our marriages, we usually just need to fix ourselves. So that there isn’t any misunderstanding, this isn’t done in a self-loathing type of way; it is hopeful, empowering, and uplifting!

One of her most poignant examples of the power women have in their marriages is how sometimes we turn into a “crazy lady.” By turns, our crazy lady can depress, shame, betray, or treat our husbands as being irrelevant. When we do this, our marriage slowly withers and dies.

When I read this book, I was in a pretty good place in my marriage. But as I read the examples of the crazy ladies, I was shocked as I recognized myself in each and every one! I was not treating my husband as well as I had imagined. It was a really good wake up call to examine my words, my actions and even my thoughts, as I try to love and respect my husband the way I truly want to.

How This Book Affected My Mothering:

The best gift a mother can give her child is a happy, secure home. When parents are fighting, children suffer. By learning Ramona’s invaluable lessons, moms not only protect their children from this division, but they also teach lessons of love, patience, empowerment, respect, team building and unity. Those are lessons I want my daughter—and sons—to learn. I want them to have successful marriages of their own. This book teaches me how to teach them, and my husband is the happier for it!  

QUESTION: Take a minute to evaluate your relationship with the men in your life. Can you think of one specific thing you would like to work on?

CHALLENGE: Make a simple plan for improving your relationship. Read this or another book, look for ways to improve yourself, or, if you are married, plan a fun date night where you can really connect with your husband.

Power of Moms is an Amazon Affiliate. We only promote books we love, and any purchases through our link will help support Power of Moms. Thanks!

Edited by Aubrey Degn and Sarah Monson

About Jennifer Brimhall

Jen is a homeschooling mom of one overly teased girl and four rowdy, teasing boys. She is married to an incredible man who bears an uncanny resemblance to Abraham Lincoln both in appearance and goodness. She is passionate about personal development, education, and dark chocolate. Her goal is to help each of her children find their passions early in life and be kind, well-read, thinking individuals who contribute. She is amazed at how much raising children is really just learning to be your best self in many different ways. Her kids think she has a long way to go, but she tries her best. And then tries again. And then goes and eats chocolate.