As I sit down to write on finding quiet time, my 2 year old is throwing a tantrum at my feet because I don’t have a lap for him to sit on while at the kitchen counter.
Finding quiet time throughout your day is a luxury and those moments are few and far between for us moms. That’s why we have to MAKE our own quiet time a priority – whatever it takes. We need the time to let our minds wander, to dream a little, and to allow our bodies to calm down (hello lower cortisol levels).
1. Wake up before your kids.
I know, I know, everyone says to get up earlier… I wonder if the people who wake before the rest of the world may know a thing or two about it’s benefits and rewards.
It doesn’t even have to be super early, just aiming for enough time for 1 hot cup of coffee before your kids’ usual wake up time is enough. Honestly, it doesn’t even have to be before ALL your kids wake up either. I often have one or two of my littles sitting beside me, reading a book, while I have my coffee and devotional time. And some mornings I don’t get this time alone at all, those days are still terrific days. I’m so blessed every time my kids wake up.
We can’t win them all, but we can enjoy the game.
2. Stay up late at night for quiet time.
After all the kiddos have gone to sleep, set a time limit and an intention for your quiet time alone. If you stay up till 2 am catching up on Bridgerton, you’re not doing yourself a favor. You’ll be exhausted and frazzled in the morning, instead of feeling fulfilled and calm. Give yourself a bed time and get plenty of sleep.
Personally, I don’t like to spend all day looking forward to bedtime so I can get some peace and quiet, it distracts me from being present with my kids during the day and leads to some yucky feelings of resentment that I’d rather not be feeling.
3. Create a quiet hour in the afternoons.
If your kids are still at a napping age, hurray for you. When the kiddos nap, you be intentional and restful. This is not a time to hustle; the hustle happens when they are awake. Sleep when the baby sleeps, rest when the baby rests.
If your kids don’t nap, like 2/3 of mine, here’s how I designated a quiet hour or two every afternoon: I withhold screen time until 1pm, when the baby will likely nap and I need a break. At 1pm, I turn on a movie and dim the lights. They always come cuddle up beside me and we get a much needed rest. After about 10 minutes I can sneak away and grab a book or an afternoon cup of coffee and do some reading our journalling.
If your kids are not the quiet type, ever, there are other options. Be creative. Find out what works for your family to prioritize quiet time.
Susanna Wesley, mother to 19 children, was known for her quiet time with God. She would stand in her kitchen and put her apron over her head and all her children knew to leave her alone because she was praying. What a terrific way to escape your kids when the stress rises, and with so many kids I’d bet she did this a lot!
