Creating Rhythm in Your Home for Increased Peace
Our whole world is ruled and regulated by rhythm. The solar, lunar, seasons, circadian, menstrual, human lifespan, and on and on. One very simple way to increase the sense of safety and peace in your home is to create predictable rhythm for your children. If your child is highly sensitive creating a rhythm is even more important.
Simple rhythm is not only grounding for your child it’s also a beautiful way for you to unwind and take some of the pressure of yourself. Sometimes life gets to overwhelming and over scheduled that we miss the point of the pleasure that comes with raising children. So much doing gets in the way of showing up and being present. Creating a predictable rhythm and ritual will provide built in mindful moments for your whole family to pause and breath.
I see a lot of children in my Sacramento Child Therapy office for behavior problems or extreme impulse control or self regulation issues. In my intake paperwork one question I ask parents to ask their children is “my life would be perfect if…” Almost all children respond in one way or another “more time with my family”. Creating simple rhythms helps to create quality time with your family. Even if the actual minutes are not different the connection is immense.
In the book Simplicity Parenting Kim John Payne goes into great detail simple ways to declutter family life and connect more fully with your children.
It really helps with our household and gives me calmer kids and more alone time for me to restore and indulge in selfcare. Some people focus on sleep as the guidepost for rhythm, others food. Keep it simple and take the pressure off.
I have always had fairly regular rhythms with my children since birth. My friends sometimes joke that I’m obsessed with my kids’ sleep times.
When we’re not in school our daily rhythm looks something like this:
6:00 twins cuddle with mom, 6:30 yoga or dance party with mom, candle light breakfast, 8:30 baby naps - twins play outside, 10:30 baby wakes - all snack, all go out to play or a non stressful outing (we love art beast), 12:00 balanced lunch, 12:30 all kids (and sometimes mom) naps, 2:30 snack, play, 4:30 dinner with dad, 5:00 candle light baths, 5:30 baby sleeps, 6:00 twins bedtime routine with dad, 6:30 twins sleep
Every family’s rhythm will look a bit different. This schedule works with our very young boys and is a lifesaver as we journey through conscious uncoupling (divorce). Our kids know what to expect. This looks a little different when school is involved but not much. Even when both parents are at work our child care providers have a copy of their rhythm and know how important it is to us. We limit activities too. Their brains need lots of cuddles, connection and unstructured play until about 7 year’s old.
To your greatness!!
Love,
R