Thursday, February 21, 2008

Quiet Time

Usually we hear people refer to this as the time they spend on their Bible reading, in prayer and generally in time alone with God. While I love this also, it has come to mean even more around our house lately.

Several of you have inquired about what it is like having three and one thing I've learned quickly is to guard nap time! Using this time to answer the phone or entertain visitors just wasn't working for me. So, this idea was born.

I recorded a message on our answering machine stating that if the call was between noon and 3pm, we were having Quiet Time and would return their call as soon as possible.

I made this sign for the front door (sorry for the glare - you can click to enlarge and read what it says):

Another thing it means is that Emily has some quiet time before she goes down for her nap. Rachel goes down right after lunch as it wasn't working for them to go down at the same time. It became party time!

I have been trying to set the timer for 10 minutes and have Emily spend that time alone looking at books quietly. After the timer goes off, I sit down with her and read two books and we review her Bible verses. We've not done this consistently yet - but have successfully done it the past two days.

Ahh - Quiet Time is definitely working for our home!

23 comments:

*carrie* said...

Monica,

I think this is a great idea, even though I wanted you to pick up the phone the other day. =)

Cute sign!

Anonymous said...

These are great ideas and I hope they prove to be very helpful to you! Love, Mom

Anonymous said...

You are wise Monica to guard this time, for you and your family. Time is a most valuable gift. Take care-tammyp

Anonymous said...

Quiet time at our house began as the children grew older and gave up napping. It was often time spent reading quietly in their rooms, drawing, or playing with Legos. It provided a time of quietness and rest that we all needed.

Sarah M said...

what an AWESOME idea! I am definitely using this method with the next one!

More than Survival said...

This is a BRILLIANT idea! I might just have to "steal" it!
Enjoy your QUIET time today!
Heather

~katie~ said...

What a wonderful idea and such a tasteful/kind way to make it happen!

I don't know if you are a fan of the "Walton's" but this post reminded me of something they did on the show that I thought was neat when the parents needed their own quiet (a.k.a. alone) time. They put a geranium on the front porch and everyone knew that it meant ma and pa had the day to spend special time together - "Olivia" explains this idea in the episode entitled..."The Inferno". Just thought I would share. :-)

Thanks again for your idea!

Lacy said...

I admire your amazing dedication and love the sign for the door. You truly inspire me to be a better mom and Godly woman. I love your blog.
Lacy in Texas

Anonymous said...

Great idea, Monica!
I agree that you are doing it in such a kind and loving way. (as you always do!)

God Bless!

Love, Grandma

Anonymous said...

I have guarded "rest time" in our home and will continue. I think they do this in south america: siestas! They have got it right. No matter the age - after lunch is a period of "quiet time" for us as well! And my kiddos are 4 & 5!

I love the sign - I may have to make one!

Wendi said...

We have rest time at our home also. I have trained Megan to stay in her crib and play when she wakes up. It allows me time to recharge. I love the idea of not taking phone calls during this time!

Katy said...

I have three children...and I totally understand the need for quiet time. :) Good for you!!!

The Stepford Stepmom said...

You know, I have never even thought of such a thing. But really, it's brilliant. I love it.

In fact, I'm already planning how I'll set up our quiet time for when our little one does come... Whenever that is...

Paula said...

My children are getting older (ages 4, 6, 8, 10), but we still have QT every afternoon. They don't nap anymore, but everyone has a spot to curl up with a book, drawing, or quiet activity. I am able to rest or work on projects during this time.

I remember when they were babies I would want to clean the house from top to bottom while they were napping, but I learned that the best thing for me (and for them) was for me to rest during that time. That's hard to do with lots of littles, but so very important. :)

lora k said...

Monica,
I was also one who guarded naptime, especially when I had 3 girls in 3 years! As they got older and we began homeschooling, I had a message on my machine that stated my school hours. Through that time, I came to realize that the phone is my servant, I'm not it's, and am not required to jump and answer it because it rings. I know that you will benefit greatly from this quiet time. I hope that you are also resting during this time as well, if even just for 30 minutes. It will help you greatly if you are able to do so.

Marva said...

I love this idea! How wonderful. I had premmie twin boys and they were very sick for months into their lives. They are 22 months old now. It seems that noone had respect for me or them. Finally my husband unplugged the phone so I could rest and we closed the front door, if it were open everyone thought that was an invitation. We also unplugged our doorbell.

I love your blog. You are such an inspiration! Blessings!!!

Lia's Mom said...

We have a QT from 1-3 also!! I love it and need it every day for my own sanity! It has been a good discipline for me to learn that I need QT as much as my girls do. Kaiden (3.5 year old) has her QT on a huge floor pillow reading books. She has only 2 rules - stay quiet and stay on the pillow. It took about a week for her to make the transition from naps to a "big girl" QT, but she does great now (and does fall asleep about every other day). I refuse to give up our afternoon QT - even as the girls get older!

Paige said...

I'm thinking of requesting a plaque from my father in law that I can hang on the door that says something to the affect of "not taking visitors, stop by again later" or "nap time,try again later". It is inevitable that as soon as we lay to nap and I start to doze, that the neighborhood kids stop by to see if the boys can play...

Anonymous said...

What a great idea!! I will definitely have to implement this when our 3rd arrives in April. I think it will benefit everyone as Momma needs her time or she gets evil!!
Elise

P.S. Your anniversary sounded wonderful!

Gini (Hallquist) Young said...

Great idea. Will likely try to use this for us as well. Got a new one on the way in June...boy also

Dawn said...

I've been doing quiet time for about 20 yrs now! LOL!

Every day at our house from 2:00 until 4:00...the kids know. After that is snack time!

Sometimes I sleep(or try to), sometimes I work on the computer, read, prepare schoolwork, whatever.

It is a time I would not consider giving up.

Dawn

Anonymous said...

what a fabulous idea! I wish I'd known it when I had littles...though they did have very regular naptimes, I was not quiet, I ran around like a crazy woman.

d m

Lisa said...

When my girls were small, but had outgrown naps we had a quiet time. I would tie a handkerchief of the front door knob to signal the neighborhood children when quiet time was in session.