Enjoying the Journey of Parenthood: Quiet Times

Being a Momma

Being A Mom is the most important job you will ever do. A day’s work in the life of a mom cannot be measured by stacks of paper, trophies won or products sold. At the end of each day, you find that there are still dirty diapers to be changed, mouths to feed and floors to clean. However, in between all these tasks that seem, at times, to be mundane, there is an incredible sense of joy that accompanies motherhood. Join with us, as we take pride and pleasure in the simple smile of a child. From entertaining, to strictly applying discipline, we would like to walk with you through this journey, in hopes of offering some ideas, tips, hope... and maybe even a giggle or two.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Quiet Times

I am starting this blog to get ideas from all the other mom's out there. I will share my thoughts and ideas and I want to hear yours. Some times I get really sick of my ideas and want to know what else there is to do and teach my kids.
A few years ago I started having my kids have quiet reading time. I set a timer and they have to sit quietly and read until the timer goes off. Some days they do really well and other days I have to remind them to be quiet or get back in their seat, but it generally is a nice quiet 20 minutes or so that I can sit and read or clean up lunch or make a meal. I have loved this quiet reading and we do it most every day, some times twice a day. My kids even have started to ask for it. It is nice practice for places like church. When we get to church I hand my kids some books and tell them to have quiet reading time. It definitely has helped them sit through the hour. What quiet activities do your kids enjoy? or what activities do you do to occupy your kids when you need to get something done?

4 comments:

Unknown said...: This is bad, but I put him next to the T.v or give him tummy time. I hate to say it, but My kid is going to be a T.V kid.; October 1, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Hanson Family said...: Ashlee,
Allison has loved quiet reading time. She actually asked to have it the other day too. It's great when they love to want to read!; October 1, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Storms, Rainbows and Sunshine said...: I found a website that has three quiet books for church. I made one for my son and it helped him sit still at chuch. The book also taught him about the gospel. It is an ABC book too, so it also helps him with his letters. The site is http://theideadoor.com/QuietBook.htm
I printed the pages on cardstock, put them in plastic sheets, and put them in a binder.; October 14, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Trinity said...: I found some great flannelboard kits at a craft fair out here and got my daughter one last year. She has learned how to dress herself via dressing the dolls and it keeps her occupied and quiet for a little while . . .they also stick to the back of church pews if they are the fabric style. THere is a large variety including athletic stuff and bible stories. The website is http://www.feltfantasies.com.; November 8, 2008 at 12:12 PM

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Ashlee

I love being a Mom more than anything. I have four beautiful children (twins who are 5 and a three year old and a new born baby) who love to do new things. I love watching them grow and learn. I am so blessed to be able to stay home and be with them every day. I started this blog when I lost a very close family member and friend. She was about as devoted a Mom as I had ever seen. She didn't let one smile go by without being there. But despite her great love for her children she developed a very severe postpartum depression that spiraled out of control. She took her own life as a result. One thing she said to me just a few months before she died was that she didn’t know how to stay home with her kids. Being a Mom doesn't always mean trips to the zoo and lunch dates with friends. In a society on the go, becoming a mom is a big jump for many women. Without knowledge and resources, being at home can feel overwhelming and kind of scary. Sitting at her funeral and watching her family, now without a Mom, I started to think about all the mothers in this world who suffer from similar feelings towards their own callings as mothers. Depression comes for many reasons and in many forms. Many Mom's in our society suffer from postpartum depression and other forms of depression, and without proper help they too can lose sight of their love for their children and the reality of their lives. No matter who you are or what you are going through there is joy to be found. It starts with the little things. This blog is dedicated in memory of my dear friend to all Moms. May we make a difference in this world by cherishing our great calling of parenthood.

Our Goal

It is our goal here to empower women, and men, in their journey of parenthood. We want to give you the resources to teach your children, to strengthen your relationships, to get organized, to optimize health, and to find the joy that can be yours. We want to give you ideas that make you want to stay home and teach your children and to get excited about slowing down and enjoying your days alone with your kids. Parenthood can be the greatest calling we ever receive on this earth. With the right tools, we believe that you can cut back on tantrums and miscommunications with your children. Ultimately in teaching them to be independent human beings, you will show them how to respect those around them and become adults that you can be proud of. Having resources to teach your children and gear their energy in positive directions can change the way that they behave and treat others, and ultimately change the way that you look at parenthood.

Please take anything or all that you read on this blog and make it your own. Take time to enjoy the little moments with your children. Love them. Give them the confidence to make their generation even better than ours has been. What we give them is the foundation they will have for the rest of their lives. That is the gift that only you as parent can give them. Slow down and keep it simple. And remember you are not alone. There are so many around you who are going through all of this too. Create friendships with other parents. Create these friendships on the positive reasons that you are parents. And Please, if you feel that you are suffering from any type or degree of depression, ask for help. There is nothing to be ashamed of. There are many resources all around that can help you through. Your family and friends can be there for you, so tell them how you feel.

Thank you again for your ideas and support in spreading joy to all parents. Enjoy the Journey, the journey of Parenthood.