Sometimes it seems that with our hectic schedules and mounting responsibilities we forget to take time to create a peaceful home. Here are some suggestions that move you closer to that reality:
Turn off all electronics for at least 90 minutes every day. We have messages coming at us relentlessly via television, radio, cell phones, faxes, emails, etc. Allowing our minds 90 minutes of uninterrupted quiet gives us a chance to process what we have heard. It allows us time to listen to our own minds, listen to our own bodies, listen to our own wisdom. If we actually take this time, we may discover that our own priorities are much different that what all of the incoming messages are telling us. Make dinner time a "No Phone" ZoneYou may feel some anxiety when you first try this but with practice you will begin to feel calm and will look forward to those precious 90 minutes. Why 90 and not 60 or 15? Well, any amount of time you give yourself will help but I find that 90 minutes works best. Ninety minutes lets your mind settle into the peace, lets your spirit rumble around within your body/mind and rediscover what is true within yourself. There are very few messages that are so urgent that they cannot wait 90 minutes for you to respond. Encourage your whole family to create this 90 minute time slot together and you will have a calmer home. This may seem obvious but I see so many families at restaurants using their cell phones during meals, parents ignoring their children or children ignoring their parents, that I thought it was important to mention. Make dinner time a "No Phone" Zone. At home you can set up a small basket where everyone deposits their turned-off cell phone when entering the dining area just to emphasize the point. Make up your bed within 30 minutes of rising.When dining out, be polite and considerate of the people you are dining with, turn off your cell phone, put it away. Pay attention to the person you are with. Do not allow interruptions while you are eating together. You will find the meal flows more smoothly. Any calls can be returned after dinner. This includes text messages. (That's why it is important not to have the cell phones at the table.) Teenagers are particularly adept at text messaging under the table. This may seem like an odd suggestion but you would be amazed at what this simple rule can achieve. Making your bed within 30 minutes of rising gives a clear start to the day. I once heard someone say, "How you make your bed in the morning is how your day will go." They are not far from the truth. Taking care to make your bed properly sets a tone of accomplishment for the day, gets momentum going and creates a tidy room that greets you when you return. It also feels great when you get into a well-made bed at the end of a long day. Treat yourself to this wonderful, peaceful habit and help your children and teens to do likewise. Use a courteous tone of voice when speaking with others.This may seem obvious but all of us at one time or another let out our frustrations on our family or loved ones. Keeping a check on your tone of voice can enhance the overall peacefulness of your home. It is helpful to pause, and to take a deep breath before saying something. Remember you are modeling adult behavior for your children and teens. Having them hear appropriate vocal tones will help them use the same tones when they speak to others. How often have we heard similar tones reverberate throughout a family? Minding how you sound sets the tone for your home. Eat small healthy meals regularly throughout the day.Many peaceful homes are shattered simply because of low blood sugar. Sounds funny, doesn't it? But the truth is that keeping blood sugar levels even throughout the day increases your family's ability to react in a calm manner, speak politely and courteously. Help your family by providing small, healthy snacks throughout the day and you will find that your home is a much more peaceful place.
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It!-------------------- by Laura Breite - Mothering Guide San Diego, CA ------------------------ Editors and publishers are free to reprint this article as long as it's reprinted in its entirety and the signature line remains intact. Please direct a courtesy copy to laurabreite@mac.com or snail mail it to: Laura Breite www.MotheringGuide.com 13422 Sawtooth Rd San Diego, CA 92129 |
  
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