Have you ever been in a home that just felt good? Sometimes you can’t even pinpoint what makes it different. Maybe you hear laughter and having fun in a safe, happy environment. It is possible for you to have that same love, peace and calm in your home as well. I have found that it is well worth the effort it takes to have that feeling in my home. When your home is filled with the Spirit of the Lord, there is indescribable peace and joy there.
There are many things you can do to help bring that peace into your home. Remember that it is a work in progress and every family has off days but the constant effort it is so worth it! In our family, there are several things we have done to help us try to have that peace in our home continually.
Create a refuge from the world. Electronics/Media/Cell phones
- Limit the time your child is immersed in electronics. You can monitor phone time on a Screen time app.
- We don’t allow any electronics or TV during the hours immediately after school unless it is needed for homework.
- No phones/TV during dinner.
- Cell phones don’t go into bedrooms at night. We have a plug-in station in the family room for all of the phones and tablets.
- Limit and be selective about what you watch on TV. For us, Prime Time TV and commercials are so awful! You decide what you let into your home. For us a solution is to have a DVR. We simply record our favorite shows and then we can skip through all of the crap!
- Our main computer is in the family room in a big open area.
- Limit social media. My kids aren’t on social media much. Here is my post about Snap Chat.
- Here’s my post on media influences in the home.
Teach Respect in the home. Manners/Respect
- No back talking, sassing, or eye rolling is allowed.
- Kids must obey the 1st time I ask them.
- No “slams” or ripping on each other (even in jesting). They are only allowed to say nice things to/about each other.
- Speak to each other with kindness. When you ask your kids to get you something, try to let them know how much you appreciate them and ask nicely!
- Use manners! Say the magic words…please, you’re welcome, and thank you!
- No Swearing or derogatory words are allowed in our home.
- No fighting or teasing. I hate it! It brings such a negative spirit into our home. Stop it as soon as possible!
- Here’s my post on manners.
- Create an atmosphere of love. Here is my post on using your senses to do so.
Eat dinner together. Family Dinner Time
- As crazy as our life is, this is our time to sit together, talk, and take a break from our crazy schedules.
- Sit down at the table and eat dinner together every night. Make this a priority! It makes such a difference to the feeling in our home.
- All the family helps with set up, prep, cooking, and clean up. It can be a lot of fun to do it together and they are learning valuable skills while doing so. Here is my post on Family dinner time.
Clean up
- “Cleanliness is next to Godliness!” This is so true! I feel so much better when things are cleaned up and put away!
- Take 5′ each night to put things away or set a timer for 10′ and have the kids help.
- Make your bed every morning. My 90+ year old grandma could do it. So can you!
- Give your kids some chores to do. Teach them HOW to clean and organize their own spaces.
- Make sure the kids shower regularly. (Nothing is worse than BO!)
- Cleaning habits must be taught. It’s not easy for most kids and may require lots of training.
- Clean off your counters and do the dishes!
- Kid’s floors need to stay clear. No clothing is allowed on their floor.
Get organized
- Organization is an important part of having a calm, peaceful home.
- Have a place for everything! My kids are not allowed to drop all of their school stuff in the walkway! We finally bought a bin for them to put her stuff in. They need a place to put things when they come in or take them to their rooms.
- Get rid of bad, unwanted items. Let it go! This can be so healing!
- Get rid of some toys. Kids usually have too many toys. I’ve found that simplifying their toys helps them be more creative and also put things away easier.
- Have a clothing purge twice a year. Here is my post about helping kids go through clothes.
- Have a place to hang jackets as you come in.
- Label bins so kids know where to put things.
- Here is my website on organizing.
- Get a memory bin for each child. Then all of their important papers and pictures can go inside.
Have Quality Family Time
- Do things to strengthen relationships. Doing fun things together has definitely brought us closer. It really helps us feel better around each other and get along when we are home.
- Find someone to serve together. Service brings such a peace into our home. Here is my post on service.
- Have a family game night or this month we are going to play a game a night to see what games we really like!
- Go for a family walk.
- Help each other with homework.
- Go on a vacation together.
- Work on a project together. Yes, even working together can be bonding!
Play good Music
- Play calming music. It can help relax your family and bring peace.
- Play fun music to lighten the mood. We like to listen to Christmas music while we take down the tree. It helps it be a little more fun. My husband plays his favorite playlists while he does the dishes or a family project.
- Homework time-My daughter likes to listen to calming music while doing homework. She says it helps her concentrate.
- Hymns really help bring a peaceful feeling into our home.
- I love listening to Christian music when I am alone in the car. It fills my soul.
Create a SAFE Haven.
- Create a feeling of safety in your home by making it physically and emotionally safe.
- Clean the clutter and mess to prevent injuries and have difficulty evacuating.
- Clean up…mold, mice, dust, insects…I’ve seen it all. Just clean up and prevent harmful things in your home.
- Have safety drills in the home. Here is my post about preparing your family and disaster resilient families.
- You want your children to be able to come to you when they struggle.
- Tuck your children in at night. Give them a kiss and tell them you love them. We started this when they were little and now still love that as they are growing up.
Fill your home with the Spirit of the Lord
- The Spirit of the Lord is amplified when you do the things the Lord asks. These may seem “Basic” but as you do them, the Spirit will be strengthened in your home.
- Have family prayer every morning and night. Nothing is more bonding than listening to a family member pray for you! Here is my post on prayer.
- Have a monthly fast together. Here is my post on fasting.
- Study Scriptures together daily. We only read a few verses together each night but it makes such a difference!
- Have a Spiritual, weekly, family lesson.
- Go to church together every week. Worshiping together definitely lingers with us throughout the week.
- Pray about what you can do to make your home more peaceful. The Lord will help you!
There are so many things you can do to bring the Spirit into your home and make it feel more like heaven. Trust your feelings. A good rule is that if you feel bad about something that is happening in your home, that is what you should focus on. Change that and you will start to feel an added measure of peace and joy in your home. It is so worth it to have those days when the kids are getting along, helping with things, and your family is laughing together. Those are the days that make it all worth it! Let me know what you are doing to create a more heavenly home!