Small, daily rhythms have become the anchors to our day— so over the next few months I’ll create a series of short and sweet blog posts that highlight many of these rhythms we do daily.
Audiobooks have turned our quiet times into a whole afternoon, and with a preschooler and kindergartner and me working (part time) from home, I am not arguing when they stay in their room a full hour past their timer! I really think it helps them, it is a break from the sibling fights and arguing and they are more excited to play together afterwards. As a homeschooled kid, I remember looking for ways to get some time on my own because I wanted a break from my siblings. I loved them but I liked some interruption-free time.
I have Everand, Audible and use Libby all the time, and I have enough devices for each of us (iPad, my phone, an old phone with no SIM card) so I bought each child a Bluetooth speaker, and I start a story for each of them from a device at my desk and they take the speaker to their room. The speakers allow them to pause and play and adjust the volume but I have charge of everything else. I still pay for enough audiobooks but the speakers cost about $20.
Yes audiobooks seem to be a clear winner! We've gone through seasons of them but my younger kids don't have the ability to navigate them well, so I've pondered a yoto but haven't gotten one mostly due to the cost. How do you play audiobooks? I think the ability to enjoy alone time also depends on the child's personality...I have a couple of extroverts who just go all day and always want to be around someone, but for the introvert like myself I crave that quiet time!
Yes!! When my two kiddos were done napping I instituted quiet time and newly homeschooling (also former teacher) mama, I’m so grateful I did. In the beginning I felt guilty and like I could be doing more with them during quiet time but as we continued I realized it was a necessity for all of us. Just as you said, it is a good reset for us all and the days when we skip it for afternoon outings, we all feel it. I love your idea of using visual timers. We use the Hatch and they know that when it goes off that they can come out of their rooms but a visual timers might be more helpful. Oh, and my kids also know that if they stay in their rooms for the set time then they’ll get a treat- bribery for this one moment of peace during the day works for us.
Glad it works so well for you too! I’ve heard good things about the Hatch, we use a similar device for wake-ups in the morning but the visual timer works great for shorter times where my younger kids do better with seeing how much time they have rather than looking at their light and waiting for it to come on. And the little treat for good quiet time behavior is a great idea!
Big believer in quiet time for everyone! When my boys got older and were in to sports, I rebranded and called it “halftime”. It worked. 😉
I like that! That’s a good way of still practicing a rhythm that everyone can relate to even as they get older.
Brilliant!
Thank you, Laura! 🙌
Audiobooks have turned our quiet times into a whole afternoon, and with a preschooler and kindergartner and me working (part time) from home, I am not arguing when they stay in their room a full hour past their timer! I really think it helps them, it is a break from the sibling fights and arguing and they are more excited to play together afterwards. As a homeschooled kid, I remember looking for ways to get some time on my own because I wanted a break from my siblings. I loved them but I liked some interruption-free time.
I have Everand, Audible and use Libby all the time, and I have enough devices for each of us (iPad, my phone, an old phone with no SIM card) so I bought each child a Bluetooth speaker, and I start a story for each of them from a device at my desk and they take the speaker to their room. The speakers allow them to pause and play and adjust the volume but I have charge of everything else. I still pay for enough audiobooks but the speakers cost about $20.
Oh I love those idea and the bluetooth speaker that can be taken with them and controlled by each child. Saving that idea! Thanks!
Yes audiobooks seem to be a clear winner! We've gone through seasons of them but my younger kids don't have the ability to navigate them well, so I've pondered a yoto but haven't gotten one mostly due to the cost. How do you play audiobooks? I think the ability to enjoy alone time also depends on the child's personality...I have a couple of extroverts who just go all day and always want to be around someone, but for the introvert like myself I crave that quiet time!
I’m a huge fan of quiet time! My 9 yr old is at school during the day, but I still use quiet times on the weekends and over the summer.
Yes it's good for any age at any time!
Yes!! When my two kiddos were done napping I instituted quiet time and newly homeschooling (also former teacher) mama, I’m so grateful I did. In the beginning I felt guilty and like I could be doing more with them during quiet time but as we continued I realized it was a necessity for all of us. Just as you said, it is a good reset for us all and the days when we skip it for afternoon outings, we all feel it. I love your idea of using visual timers. We use the Hatch and they know that when it goes off that they can come out of their rooms but a visual timers might be more helpful. Oh, and my kids also know that if they stay in their rooms for the set time then they’ll get a treat- bribery for this one moment of peace during the day works for us.
Glad it works so well for you too! I’ve heard good things about the Hatch, we use a similar device for wake-ups in the morning but the visual timer works great for shorter times where my younger kids do better with seeing how much time they have rather than looking at their light and waiting for it to come on. And the little treat for good quiet time behavior is a great idea!