It’s been said that raising teenagers is a little like nailing Jello to a tree. If that’s true, add handicapped parents, home schooling, a husband, a business and a full time job and you might as well take away the tree and have just the hammer, nails and Jello. But for several years, Pauline Hylton did just that.
Married to Tom, mother to Sarah, now 20 and Micah, 17, she home schooled her two children for their first nine academic years. During that time her elderly parents moved in with her and her dad lost both legs to diabetes. Because of the immense strain on the family, the decision was made to put their teens into a Christian school. Pauline then became the part-time guidance counselor to help pay for tuition. After her first year at the school, her boss approached her about teaching elementary music.
“But I don’t like children,” Pauline stated truthfully. After some thought, she took the job and grew to love her students. She also provided an after-school drama program for the teenagers. She attributes her success with teenagers and drama to working as a probation officer right out of college.
Pauline is a humorist, singer, actress, Bible study leader, lecturer and conference speaker. She writes about everything from Fantasy Football to travel articles, to the death of her father. Currently, she is working on a book titled, Walking With My Father, which chronicles the 5 ½ years her parents lived with her. She describes how she walked with her earthly father, while her Heavenly Father walked with her.
She loves her Lord, her family and dark chocolate, (not necessarily in that order).