Summer Quiet Time

This picture is from the summer before last, my baby is growing up too fast!

Mommas are you already feeling a little exhausted with the kids home all day after being in school? Or maybe you're kids are always with you because you homeschool. I love spending time with my kids, but I've found it's good for the kids and myself to spend some alone quiet time in the afternoon. 

It's hot in Texas and all the fun summer activities can really zap you, whether you're young or old. If you haven't had any time for yourself to refresh, cool down and relax, that is when we can all get grouchy, snappy, and fuses can start running short. So, my solution is on most days an afternoon quiet time.

Afternoon quiet time is not always the same. Some days the kids can enjoy a show or movie together or play games on their iPads. Other days I expect them to relax in their rooms and play quietly. That can be doing art, reading, playing with Legos or other forms of quiet imaginary play.

I'm learning more and more the importance of free play for children's growing minds. I love to listen in as they spend time in imaginary play by themselves. We are actually in quiet time right now. I just peaked in on Haley to find her packing her dolls bag's for a year long trip to Paris. She informed me that she had clothes for all seasons, but she wasn't sure she had enough room, ha! I love it!

The time is not always the same nor is the length. For instance, the days we've been to the pool or doing other outside activities, quiet time will be longer. If we're already having a relaxing day at home then it will be much shorter.

I enjoy spending that time reading, doing a devotional, writing blog posts, taking a quick afternoon nap and sometimes I use it for dinner prep or other chores that need to be done around the house. I find this time to be so good for my soul!

I've also found that it's nice to do this in the late afternoon, so we are all refreshed and ready for Daddy to come home.

Have a blessed day!
Jennifer