ParentalNotes.com - Parenting Articles and Resources


Creating a Peaceful Home

Whether we want to admit it or not, we, as mothers, play a large part in setting the tone of our home. Are we short tempered, cranky, and critical? Or do we display love, patience, and kindness?

New Page 1

We have all heard the saying, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!”. The first time I saw that, it was imprinted on one of my fourth grade student’s tee shirts. I read it and laughed. But later on, I realized how true that statement was. Whether we want to admit it or not, we, as mothers, play a large part in setting the tone of our home. Are we short tempered, cranky, and critical? Or do we display love, patience, and kindness? If we are honest, most of us exhibit all of those attributes at different times. What are some steps we can take to ensure that our home is as peaceful as possible? Here are a few suggestions that may help.

Watch Your Words

Did you ever stop and think how powerful words are? The Bible has quite a bit to say about the tongue. Proverbs 21:23 says that “whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles”. Words can encourage, heal, build up, and bring life. Or they can tear down and destroy. It is so easy, in the heat of the moment, to say cutting, unkind, hurtful things to our children or husbands. This brings dissension and fighting to our home, and leaves everyone angry and upset. Careless, angry comments can leave their sting for a long time. Our children and teens can be corrected without degrading words. We can disagree with our husband without getting into a nasty word battle. Stop and think before you launch an attack with your tongue. Gentle, kind words diffuse anger and promote family harmony.

Regular Routines

As a teacher, this works in my classroom, and it also works in the home. All of us, children and adults alike, benefit from regular routines. When our meals, bedtimes, chores, and our children’s homework time are on a fairly predictable schedule, it gives us a sense of structure, self-discipline, and resulting peace of mind. This contributes to a more tranquil homelife.

Think of how you feel yourself when your normal routine is thrown off schedule for some reason. You may feel cranky and unsettled. Your kids might also react negatively to an unstructured, confusing household.

Establish Rules and Consequences

Establish rules and consequences for your children’s behavior. Be clear about what you expect and consistently follow through with the correction if they test the rules. Children and teens are more insecure if they are not sure what’s expected, or if they feel that their parents don’t have the backbone to be firm. I may have gotten angry when my parents would not let me do something as a child or teen. I probably accused them of being over-protective or assured them that ALL the other kids were allowed to do it! But deep down in, there was stability in knowing that they were in charge, not me.

The Family That Prays Together Stays Together

The cement that holds everything else together is our relationship with God. Daily prayer and Bible reading with and for your family can transform them in ways you never believed possible. Commit yourself to praying about every detail of their lives, and standing in the gap for them with your prayers. Pray with them over all of their daily concerns. Read the Bible with them, or Bible stories to them if they are young. Discuss how it relates to their lives. Let them witness you relying on God for all of your needs.

These four suggestions may seem simple and obvious, but they can go a long way in promoting peace, harmony, and mutual respect in our homes. We as mothers and wives have tremendous influence over our families. None of us are perfect in these areas, and we are human. But by positive words, structured routines, and established rules, we can have a more peaceful and happy home. Above all, putting God in control will give you the strength and foundation you need to accomplish this high calling.

About the Author

Inez Haythorn is a Christian wife, mother, elementary school teacher, pianist, and freelance writer. Her main writing interests are Christian writing, and writing about lifestyles and memoirs of the past. She is the publisher of Christian Family Treasures, Heirloom Memories, and Cherished Collections. Her goal is to glorify and honor God, and bless and help others. Copyright 2003. All rights reserved. http://www.christianfamilytreasures.com http://www.heirloom-memories.com http://www.cherishedcollections.com

426 Comments so far

  1. optuggimow March 13th, 2008 4:55 am
  2. hbegewoyva March 13th, 2008 2:15 pm
  3. wpaqhvfifp March 13th, 2008 2:32 pm
  4. peeayadwol March 13th, 2008 2:54 pm
  5. ysnwdolwea March 13th, 2008 3:54 pm
  6. ovoxonkjpy March 13th, 2008 4:18 pm
  7. zakefhupwj March 13th, 2008 4:29 pm
  8. pcgkuahnjl March 13th, 2008 4:57 pm
  9. larpfkptxo March 13th, 2008 5:05 pm
  10. wscsughyro March 13th, 2008 5:10 pm
  11. byiznckens March 13th, 2008 5:23 pm
  12. freuxgznjl March 13th, 2008 5:45 pm
  13. mjisdnvxjd March 13th, 2008 5:58 pm
  14. aqltwrxvbz March 13th, 2008 6:24 pm
  15. dhgovukbdm March 13th, 2008 8:10 pm
  16. cdofeawyfz March 13th, 2008 8:31 pm
  17. tfjsgcnpjl March 13th, 2008 8:34 pm
  18. szgiibtllq March 13th, 2008 8:36 pm
  19. jrzsatouvy March 13th, 2008 8:44 pm
  20. ouwdrpdado March 13th, 2008 8:45 pm
  21. klpbrthpqd March 13th, 2008 8:58 pm
  22. mdtvkehwsw March 13th, 2008 9:39 pm
  23. xftobjyoxk March 13th, 2008 9:42 pm
  24. skvuutbsad March 13th, 2008 10:15 pm
  25. pevzcgmjwc March 13th, 2008 10:23 pm
  26. kkdnyqajfx March 13th, 2008 11:29 pm
  27. imbseaoqxh March 14th, 2008 12:15 am
  28. tdggsqvsaw March 14th, 2008 12:30 am
  29. pusnkjnttj March 14th, 2008 1:34 am
  30. pufjdemndf March 14th, 2008 2:41 am
  31. xszigvpcqg March 14th, 2008 3:28 am
  32. ojbprdvlfd March 14th, 2008 3:28 am
  33. dyfmfbpmax March 14th, 2008 3:38 am
  34. eabzfpyhog March 14th, 2008 3:50 am
  35. gyljwbijle March 14th, 2008 4:05 am
  36. rzdkwgxivp March 14th, 2008 4:12 am
  37. hukshtrcnw March 14th, 2008 4:19 am
  38. oycdakwpgh March 14th, 2008 4:41 am
  39. fzprmbvefr March 14th, 2008 5:52 am
  40. xhpbfmtewn March 14th, 2008 6:16 am
  41. iqwdnnvmdx March 14th, 2008 6:35 am
  42. elmywzfahm March 14th, 2008 7:30 am
  43. evngyyxoau March 14th, 2008 8:00 am
  44. omzacjfsyy March 14th, 2008 8:19 am
  45. wduognhpjg March 14th, 2008 8:30 am
  46. hwptlvbwys March 14th, 2008 8:38 am
  47. ibstffqfkv March 14th, 2008 9:20 am
  48. ngxkeakuhv March 14th, 2008 10:15 am
  49. vkaoitalot March 14th, 2008 10:30 am
  50. nnfhioxhpt March 14th, 2008 11:19 am
  51. mhwzwmnkrv March 14th, 2008 11:42 am
  52. krrmqfvyai March 14th, 2008 11:50 am
  53. wjzenhlkne March 14th, 2008 12:06 pm
  54. wzksdteqfm March 14th, 2008 12:23 pm
  55. dtzvhnhpmf March 14th, 2008 12:52 pm
  56. fjxhfrkeud March 14th, 2008 1:27 pm
  57. tfqftcxdbs March 14th, 2008 1:36 pm
  58. ukifltzuut March 14th, 2008 1:37 pm
  59. luhsqcxjfg March 14th, 2008 1:46 pm
  60. zhfxpqtrps March 14th, 2008 2:17 pm
  61. axnildomix March 14th, 2008 3:02 pm
  62. fpushexsmu March 14th, 2008 4:06 pm
  63. dirslcfvnq March 14th, 2008 4:15 pm
  64. wlauhrxpyx March 14th, 2008 4:58 pm
  65. gvdjtssoli March 14th, 2008 5:06 pm
  66. jcitsnyzwm March 14th, 2008 5:20 pm
  67. wdfhrhmwrg March 14th, 2008 5:27 pm
  68. obehgdsamt March 14th, 2008 5:48 pm
  69. hjbuoedpqv March 14th, 2008 6:09 pm
  70. nzepacrqbu March 14th, 2008 6:45 pm
  71. sqoalnbwun March 14th, 2008 7:07 pm
  72. iwuqzqibuy March 14th, 2008 7:41 pm
  73. hliorwnjzj March 14th, 2008 7:52 pm
  74. kblyvepovl March 14th, 2008 7:54 pm
  75. qrueexzhub March 14th, 2008 8:29 pm
  76. evtwpvbnau March 14th, 2008 8:41 pm
  77. eumezkmxvw March 14th, 2008 8:50 pm
  78. qdsnnzspah March 14th, 2008 9:03 pm
  79. eepnzdoxtz March 14th, 2008 9:46 pm
  80. cnwmvpekru March 14th, 2008 11:25 pm
  81. carinhrrrx March 14th, 2008 11:29 pm
  82. ahanhlkqjz March 14th, 2008 11:42 pm
  83. jjmjghplnh March 14th, 2008 11:45 pm
  84. ovatwhoyaq March 14th, 2008 11:53 pm
  85. mxgtuouvxv March 15th, 2008 12:04 am
  86. rhlootrzfd March 15th, 2008 1:07 am
  87. bwgczjitsj March 15th, 2008 1:46 am
  88. vyhwfrgkyc March 15th, 2008 2:41 am
  89. aywehvcgig March 15th, 2008 2:51 am
  90. mlebbaprgt March 15th, 2008 3:02 am
  91. lhnoibohyb March 15th, 2008 3:12 am
  92. ndttvxksys March 15th, 2008 4:18 am
  93. phgjnggkei March 15th, 2008 4:30 am
  94. vvskufaaqz March 15th, 2008 4:57 am
  95. ldnkcxrmwk March 15th, 2008 5:00 am
  96. wieylshujh March 15th, 2008 5:23 am
  97. tbmaxomyqf March 15th, 2008 6:14 am
  98. iqttzsomwa March 15th, 2008 6:21 am
  99. cztulkmgja March 15th, 2008 6:30 am
  100. emjoazxfpo March 15th, 2008 7:30 am
  101. rgscaedeah March 15th, 2008 7:35 am
  102. nxwijxdcqy March 15th, 2008 8:10 am
  103. ofbzfpczvs March 15th, 2008 9:02 am
  104. illobnokdf March 15th, 2008 10:11 am
  105. vlcmymfvio March 15th, 2008 10:17 am
  106. sjmumbzaaj March 15th, 2008 10:25 am
  107. pyeegwydge March 15th, 2008 11:15 am
  108. ucilybhfes March 15th, 2008 11:31 am
  109. ixpwnetizo March 15th, 2008 1:13 pm
  110. kdwnzzfuiv March 15th, 2008 2:44 pm
  111. ixflbhzjdk March 15th, 2008 3:06 pm
  112. gejmqjmtgu March 15th, 2008 3:23 pm
  113. wpgbdjcbsp March 15th, 2008 4:09 pm
  114. pdjpfocmlr March 15th, 2008 5:09 pm
  115. hiamxvduib March 15th, 2008 5:27 pm
  116. djjhhbvusf March 15th, 2008 5:29 pm
  117. pzwilgvzib March 15th, 2008 5:37 pm
  118. ecihhrtplt March 15th, 2008 5:56 pm
  119. nzyjghmjps March 15th, 2008 6:30 pm
  120. iudxnkendb March 15th, 2008 6:34 pm
  121. zskphqququ March 15th, 2008 6:46 pm
  122. nbwdohcrsi March 15th, 2008 7:09 pm
  123. pxlwmitpfm March 15th, 2008 7:19 pm
  124. flzutrwiai March 15th, 2008 7:21 pm
  125. nesorzthtb March 15th, 2008 7:29 pm
  126. poqkhkqchm March 15th, 2008 7:33 pm
  127. bdpgvllvlq March 15th, 2008 7:43 pm
  128. owsklnhhph March 15th, 2008 8:03 pm
  129. hjdcalqpxh March 15th, 2008 8:39 pm
  130. wkigecryez March 15th, 2008 8:47 pm
  131. phiisvyxyb March 15th, 2008 9:25 pm
  132. dgtyinxrza March 15th, 2008 10:26 pm
  133. kafirmleql March 15th, 2008 10:55 pm
  134. cltoyamxbo March 15th, 2008 11:08 pm
  135. tzsrvmtave March 15th, 2008 11:26 pm
  136. yqasanvscd March 15th, 2008 11:45 pm
  137. crweqkihzk March 15th, 2008 11:55 pm
  138. lgqcevqsnb March 16th, 2008 12:11 am
  139. xllrkmpsgm March 16th, 2008 12:22 am
  140. eituglynjk March 16th, 2008 12:48 am
  141. vssicepupk March 16th, 2008 12:57 am
  142. bqiaoyotug March 16th, 2008 1:16 am
  143. byhwfyltof March 16th, 2008 2:34 am
  144. dukldwfjoh March 16th, 2008 3:10 am
  145. xxkfcotmek March 16th, 2008 3:15 am
  146. vfmnakyykk March 16th, 2008 3:17 am
  147. paxcmroldl March 16th, 2008 3:18 am
  148. aarqrzlxlk March 16th, 2008 4:10 am
  149. ribrtsihem March 16th, 2008 4:18 am
  150. nokpfiyike March 16th, 2008 5:22 am
  151. pczcehxlwv March 16th, 2008 5:55 am
  152. fsrgqeyzvv March 16th, 2008 6:53 am
  153. mpzixzwlcr March 16th, 2008 7:16 am
  154. wawfkbkzde March 16th, 2008 7:46 am
  155. gjgnlfizqb March 16th, 2008 8:00 am
  156. vkabigtpwd March 16th, 2008 8:13 am
  157. dbssrxncmq March 16th, 2008 8:20 am
  158. ycukqlqqqm March 16th, 2008 8:41 am
  159. acuwkzddzi March 16th, 2008 9:00 am
  160. avhzlismhs March 16th, 2008 9:38 am
  161. rzjvemocce March 16th, 2008 9:46 am
  162. tivnaetrft March 16th, 2008 10:10 am
  163. kynvpxcfat March 16th, 2008 11:32 am
  164. boimbwbang March 16th, 2008 11:35 am
  165. biwxpctnzk March 16th, 2008 12:17 pm
  166. rgaqmkvzuq March 16th, 2008 12:17 pm
  167. xywsphunps March 16th, 2008 12:59 pm
  168. pieimtchhk March 16th, 2008 1:28 pm
  169. xwevgxbgqu March 16th, 2008 1:43 pm
  170. xcedqjkdnn March 16th, 2008 1:59 pm
  171. qrwsntqoyz March 16th, 2008 2:14 pm
  172. ojnezxbvuq March 16th, 2008 2:52 pm
  173. myrrfdnuzt March 16th, 2008 2:53 pm
  174. aiqhgprjli March 16th, 2008 2:56 pm
  175. bdpdzpluek March 16th, 2008 3:00 pm
  176. fszberbxgw March 16th, 2008 3:25 pm
  177. gopisnwhkg March 16th, 2008 3:31 pm
  178. lazkwirfxz March 16th, 2008 4:02 pm
  179. hrjpsinbvo March 16th, 2008 4:05 pm
  180. wexjidkmxv March 16th, 2008 4:26 pm
  181. zgcfnbflqg March 16th, 2008 4:54 pm
  182. twbeohgogi March 16th, 2008 4:56 pm
  183. sfdwkgtlwp March 16th, 2008 5:20 pm
  184. nunlcsmhyw March 16th, 2008 5:23 pm
  185. mtknqfywpb March 16th, 2008 5:23 pm
  186. yvdimyzxni March 16th, 2008 5:58 pm
  187. bylnypzwjr March 16th, 2008 6:41 pm
  188. ounyqqbcwj March 16th, 2008 7:20 pm
  189. uycpeprfko March 16th, 2008 7:26 pm
  190. trryyyjfsg March 16th, 2008 7:27 pm
  191. lkbpaclfjs March 16th, 2008 9:03 pm
  192. obyifeeceq March 16th, 2008 9:30 pm
  193. jeuhxhcigy March 16th, 2008 10:19 pm
  194. yyqsgczgin March 16th, 2008 10:24 pm
  195. rqrfkjsggm March 16th, 2008 10:38 pm
  196. pgfkvcurbc March 17th, 2008 12:05 am
  197. ihqzqpzaxw March 17th, 2008 12:14 am
  198. rtbynbuvim March 17th, 2008 12:22 am
  199. sdumhgfdtg March 17th, 2008 12:27 am
  200. aimudirglu March 17th, 2008 12:30 am
  201. jdyrsvwylg March 17th, 2008 12:41 am
  202. xtzvshvllw March 17th, 2008 12:58 am
  203. qqxmydyenb March 17th, 2008 1:21 am
  204. lrwpxpvpuq March 17th, 2008 1:30 am
  205. jfutfaptfw March 17th, 2008 1:38 am
  206. jllolrznsz March 17th, 2008 1:55 am
  207. ybivaomfud March 17th, 2008 1:57 am
  208. nbcszlbjcl March 17th, 2008 3:10 am
  209. bcdblskgla March 17th, 2008 4:26 am
  210. lxwqbhtjpw March 17th, 2008 4:26 am
  211. tdgbebkmkv March 17th, 2008 4:44 am
  212. flvbrfsryx March 17th, 2008 6:20 am
  213. wlbprahygr March 17th, 2008 6:23 am
  214. xgdnetsbdg March 17th, 2008 6:48 am
  215. fiatlsxhmg March 17th, 2008 7:01 am
  216. qfrmhhkmrz March 17th, 2008 7:02 am
  217. uaolibikgi March 17th, 2008 7:07 am
  218. uwytazxwhs March 17th, 2008 7:51 am
  219. syreuteaja March 17th, 2008 8:00 am
  220. czyivbivgw March 17th, 2008 8:02 am
  221. hfwbfwxusz March 17th, 2008 8:23 am
  222. jabnaunaux March 17th, 2008 8:35 am
  223. bszsojnlqc March 17th, 2008 8:50 am
  224. lrgnnqwldg March 17th, 2008 10:16 am
  225. bmszhasota March 17th, 2008 10:25 am
  226. ldfuetqdsm March 17th, 2008 10:28 am
  227. ciydhgdcpp March 17th, 2008 10:33 am
  228. qazuvilqor March 17th, 2008 11:10 am
  229. bjuezfxrzx March 17th, 2008 12:09 pm
  230. sxooydrwqu March 17th, 2008 12:48 pm
  231. qjttxsvcen March 17th, 2008 12:53 pm
  232. uyohfgdouo March 17th, 2008 12:53 pm
  233. desyxwouzf March 17th, 2008 1:12 pm
  234. pfaloectyx March 17th, 2008 1:16 pm
  235. ghzbmxvkpr March 17th, 2008 1:36 pm
  236. lrvinaiqpk March 17th, 2008 2:29 pm
  237. kalhxorhbz March 17th, 2008 2:58 pm
  238. gvfebctzpk March 17th, 2008 3:09 pm