Our homes should be a refuge and a place of peace as much as possible. Even as we are preparing for change or adjusting to the aftermath of change we, as the home “makers” must strive to keep our homes as such. This sense of safety and refuge in our homes will help our loved ones adjust to life’s changes just a little easier. If our children, especially, know that their home and family unit are secure and peaceful and stable they will be able to handle the stress of change with less fear. Children need boundaries and love and affection even during seasons of change. So, how does one go about preparing for change around our homes? Here are my favorite ways.
1. Less – The less clutter and distractions in our homes the better as the family is adjusting to a new way of life or a new routine or whatever the change may be. I always purge our home pretty empty as the change approaches. Getting rid of extra toys, shoes, paper, and even furniture helps to cut down on extra work that comes from cleaning and picking up all of the “extra” stuff. As we have been preparing for change with the birth of this new baby I have found myself once again giving away, throwing away, and organizing everything in sight. When our homes are more empty of the physical we have more time to focus on the mental and emotional needs of our loved ones. Less time cleaning and searching for “stuff” leaves more time for snuggling on the couch and sitting on the porch just pouring into the hearts of our families.
2. More – The more discipline that we instill in our children before life changes the easier it is for them to maintain their behavior and responsibilities after or during change. If we have never expected our children to help wash the dishes we can’t expect them to jump in there and help while mom is in the hospital or while Dad is traveling and mom is overwhelmed. We have to be dedicated to child training even if we are tired or overwhelmed. I think about this in regards to the change that I am preparing for especially. I tend to think, oh I will fight that battle after I get home. But really I am much more able to “fight” it now than when I am on the couch nursing a newborn. So this time around I have tried to crack down even harder on discipline issues, stick to a pretty tight schedule, and require quite a bit of help from my children leading up to delivery. And I think that it has helped to keep them feeling secure in their environment instead of feeling like their world is spinning out of control. Now next week will be their last big “hooray” of summer as they spend time with grandmas and friends and then when they come home our routine will still be in place and, Lord willing, everyone will fall back in step easily with just a little bump in the road instead of a huge mountain to climb out of.
So, if you are preparing for change in your home keep in mind two simple ideas. Less. More. Get rid of “stuff” and have less to clean and keep up with and work around. And more. Spend more time with your family and more time sticking to the routine and the discipline. And your family, your children especially will feel secure in their home even when other aspects of life are changing or spinning wildly out of control.
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