Hi! Now that my children are well beyond napping in the afternoons, I was wondering if anyone else has a 'quiet time' during the day where everyone takes a break and has time in their rooms to read, play quietly or whatever (no screen time--i.e. no computer or t.v.) I would like to start doing something like this this summer when the kids are home but they are more apt to just plop down on the couch and want to watch t.v. We are a relatively active family so I am not worried about the amount of physical exercise but think it is good for us all to have a break from each other (I am a SAHM) and also learn that time alone can be calming and good (plus I really think I will want the break MYSELF!)
TIA for your help!
Thanks to everyone for your great suggestions! We have started a summer goals list and the kids seem excited about having some "projects" to work on during their quiet time. This is our first real week of summer vacation so we'll see how things go and I'll update again as summer goes on.
I am glad to know that I am not the only one who will be practicing quiet time with my older children. I will say when both kids were younger it was much easier--my daughter would still take naps occasionally up until she starte kindergarten. Of course brother was only two and he was still napping reguarly so that was easier--it is much harder to convince my 5 year old now that big sister is not napping!
Thanks again!
I think that is great to have a quiet time. I plan to do that with my 5-year-old daughter this summer. I will probably have her spend 30 minutes on her bed, where she can choose to read, nap, or play very quietly. Down time is precious, especially for the mommy!
I have a friend who does this neat thing with each of her kids each summer. Thought it might help you partially with quiet time. They each make a goal sheet for the summer. They have to have several goals for each of three categories: body, mind, and soul. The kids pick their own goals, so they are age appropriate. Body goals are all physical--swimming, playing hide and seek, volleyball, walking to the store, etc. Mind goals are all about learning--going to the zoo, memorizing state capitols, reading x number of books, painting, drawing, learning songs, etc. Soul goals are all about increasing their faith--learning books of the Bible, learning verses, reading chapters in the Bible, etc. They decorate their goal sheets and post them on the fridge. They cross each one off as they've been met. Each time one of the kids says he/she is bored, she sends them to the fridge to pick out a goal to work on. If each kid has met half their goals when summer is half over, she
rewards them with a trip to an amusement park or water park. All are rewarded when they finish. The kids all encourage eachother. These are happy kids. Mind and soul activities would be great for your quiet time.
ABSOLUTELY!!!
I instituted quiet time the summer my 1yo was still sleeping and my 3yo was not. I now have 3 boys. They all go to separate rooms and my youngest sometimes actually sleeps. They read or do their workbooks in the summer. I need that time and I am not going to give it up.
I usually send them in between 1 and 3. That gives me enough time to wind down and them enough time to bored so they go find something to do when I let them come out.
We also do it on weekend and holiday during the school year.
Brenda,
That is a great idea. I did that with my last group of children (we had 12)and with the last three it worked wonderfully.
Good luck and blessings
We do quiet time. My kids are 4, 3 and 1. My 4 year old is beginning to outgrow naptime so the days he doesn't sleep, I set a timer and he has to quietly read or play in his room until the timer goes off.
Yes. We do, but it is something we have always done, so they know it is expected. And the afternoon tends to go much nicer after the quite time. They are allowed to read books, color, nap, or even play quitely in their room, but by themselves. It helps them refocus their day. But since this is new to introduce to them, I would sit explain it to them before hand, so they have time to adjust to the idea, and will be ready for it when it comes. You should face less resistance that way.
I did this with my kids--everyone in their room after lunch for 2 hours to read. "Or just lie on your bed and be still, I don't care because MOM NEEDS A BREAK!!!" I also kept the TV off so they'd play outside, etc.
Yes, yes, yes! I have a quiet time for my 5 and 9 year old during the summer or on holidays. No tv or video games. They can read a book, play with their toys in their room, color, build something, etc. It is a must in my home during the summer. I happen to think that it can be good for kids to be bored sometimes.--Bored for kids means that they have to be ok with quiet/downtime or use their imagination. During the summer I put together a "project box" which is essentially filled with odds and ends of recyclables (empty paper towel rolls, tape, empty margarine bowls, paper plates and anything else that I might otherwise throw away but see creative potential in) and they can bring the project box to their room and put their creativity to work building making things. Quiet time is also a time for me to recharge.
LOVE our rest/quiet time. In fact, my house is quiet right now! I have a 6, 4, and 2 year old. The 2yo still takes naps during these couple of hours, the older 2 nap on occasion, but my main rule is that they stay in their beds and are quiet. Sometimes I allow a video, but most times it's books or coloring or small toys they can play quietly with in their own beds.
Not only do I find this necessary for my own sanity as a SAHM of 3 and homeschooling mom, but I find that it's also good for my kiddos. They get some down time from the high activity, from me, and from each other. On days when we don't get rest time, they're all fighting by early evening and driving me and each other NUTS!
Also, love the idea that one mom posted about telling them it's time for "Mommy's Nap". That instills a sense of mommy not being superhuman and respecting that she someetimes needs down time, too. Helps them to not feel like they're being punished, but to feel like they're doing something special for mommy by being quiet, etc...
Good luck and enjoy the quiet!!!
K.
Mom to Kate (6), Ethan (4), and Karis (2.5)
http://www.TheMommyJournal.com
I do this with my 5y and 2y old kids.
The last nap they dropped was right after lunch. So I turned it into a Rest time/Quiet time when they stopped napping. My daughter and son share a room. They take books, puzzles and dolls in there and shut the door.
It gives me about an hour of peace and allows me to regroup my thoughts/plans for the rest of the day.
I highly recommend it ;-)
K., mama to
Catherine (5y), Samuel (2y) and Baby (edd 9/09)
Yes, great idea. Great time to push great reading habits. I have mine go to their room and read a book which is easier when they get older because they are usually reading on something they picked out from the library or bought. When they say they are bored are get fussing over games or something I'll send them to read. Now my 16 yr old 21 and 22 year old read on their spare time on there own. My 13 year old still has to be told for the most part but when he gets a book he's interested in he'll even read on the bus. What I'm saying this is a life long favor. Also if your kids are really tired and need a nap they may go ahead and catch some Z's after reading.
I think it is a terrific idea! It will help teach kids how to entertain themselves without aid of TV or computer or video games. Perhaps you could brainstorm with them about ideas for their quiet time. Reading, of course, but maybe some crafts(embroidery, knitting, jewelrymaking, drawing...) or puzzles, writing(journaling), or even workbooks that help them stay fresh with math and spelling. Head to the store and get each of them 1 or 2 alone time activites. Good luck!
I say go for it, but tell the kids, YOU are the one that needs the quiet time and you need THEIR help.
I did this with my daughter when she was young and it worked great. I would tell her it was "mommy's nap time", and she respected that. I set my alarm and told her exactly what time I would wake up. She would sometimes, read me a story so I could "sleep better". Then she would do a quiet activity. She would read, watch a video, play quietly in her room. Sometimes, she would "rest" next to me and end up with a nap too.
Usually we went swimming each afternoon, so she knew I needed a rest during the hottest part of the day, so that we could go and swim when the shade was over the pool itself.
Moms have full time jobs and just like workers outside the home, they need breaks, too. Here is what our daughter did. She has two children and is a stay at home mom. The hour after lunch was "her" time. It was an established pattern. She made herself a cup of tea and watched her favorite TV soap, the only television she watched all day. Her children each quietly did their own thing. They understood mom needed a break. Both children are very creative so Legos and craft materials were always available to occupy their time alone. Her children are 19 and 16 now. For several years she home schooled them. Take your break, just let the children know what is expected of them. Blessings, B.
My oldest is only three...but I definitely recommend it. I agree with the no tv, computer stuff during this time. She just goes to her room and sometimes she takes a nap and sometimes she doesn't, if she doesn't she goes to bed earlier. I think it really is necessary in order for us moms to regroup. Good luck!
