As a busy mom juggling homeschool, homestead life, and family needs, it's often hard to find time to take care of our relationship with God. It's so easy to let faith slip into the background when life gets hectic. Finding a balance between faith and family doesn’t require huge changes but small, intentional moments of connection with God woven into the everyday routine.
Here are a few simple ways you can add time with God into your daily routine:
Starting the Day with Prayer
- Start the day with a short prayer or devotion. Whether it’s in quiet solitude before the kids wake up or as a family prayer at breakfast, dedicating the first moments of the day to God sets a positive tone.
- Example: Read a favorite Bible verse together as a family and using it as a focus for discussions throughout the day.
- Application for Kids: You can also use this as a teaching moment for kids by helping them understand how to start their day grounded in faith. Set the example and invite them to follow.
Weaving Faith into Daily Chores
- Use daily chores, like cooking, gardening, or even laundry, for opportunities for reflection and prayer.
- Example: Share a story of offering gratitude while cooking or praying for patience while homeschooling (a word of caution on praying for patience...you will get it, but maybe not the way you hoped it would happen. lol)
- Listen to faith-centered music or a podcast while folding laundry or sweeping the floor.
- Think on Colossians 3:23, about doing everything as if for the Lord, to help you view even mundane tasks as a way to be thankful for all you have.
Faith Through Family Meals
- Family meal times can be a great opportunity to incorporate faith. Saying grace together can become a cherished family tradition.
- Example: Say a prayer before each meal. Maybe even include a "Thankful Thursday" idea where each family member shares something they’re thankful for.
- Mealtime conversations can occasionally be about Bible stories, blessings, or challenges in faith.
Bedtime Prayers & Reflection
- Bedtime is another natural time to incorporate faith into your routines. This could be an individual or family prayer, gratitude journaling, or reading a short Bible story together.
- Example: For moms, use this time to reflect on the day, pray with your kids for things that matter to them, and close the day by handing over worries to God.
- Personal Reflection: Take a few minutes for personal reflection—journal your thoughts, prayers, and moments of gratitude for the day.
Using Homeschool & Homestead Lessons to Teach Faith
- Many homeschool families aim to educate from a Christian perspective. This is an easy way to incorporate faith into your day.
- Example: Nature walks could include discussions about God’s creation, or gardening can be connected to spiritual growth and nurturing faith like you would a garden.
- Practical Faith Learning: You can also use everyday moments like caring for animals or preserving food to teach lessons on patience, gratitude, and stewardship, by tying it all back to faith and how God takes care of us.
Integrating Faith into Challenges & Stressful Moments
- Challenges, whether it’s sibling conflict, homeschooling difficulties, or just the chaos of family life, are a part of the journey.
- Try taking a “faith break” during stressful times, (try something like this 60-second reset). This can provide spiritual grounding and help you, as a mom, approach the situation with calm and prayerful thought.
- Spiritual Tool: Incorporating a “prayer pause” during moments of stress or frustration can allow for a quick reset that invites God into the process.
Need help juggling your homeschool and life schedules? Check out this digital homeschool planner!
Or, maybe (like me) the Ultimate Mom Planner is what you need. It is a one-stop planner for busy moms! It's available as a PDF download you can print or as a digital planner that can be used on notetaking apps like Goodnotes.
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
Keeping the home clean and tidy has always been a bit of a chore for me and my family. But, when we choose to do a few simple things every day, it really doesn't take that much to keep your home clean and tidy.
Here are a few quick and easy things you can do daily to help:
1. Start Small with a Daily 10-Minute Declutter
Instead of overwhelming yourself with a full-day decluttering marathon, set a timer for 10 minutes each day. Focus on one small area, like a drawer or a section of the counter, and work through it. Consistent, bite-sized sessions are more manageable and effective for busy schedules.
2. Use the “One-In, One-Out” Rule
For every new item that comes into your home, make sure one item leaves. This helps prevent clutter from building up, especially with kids constantly bringing in toys, clothes, or school supplies.
3. Create a Drop Zone by the Entrance
Designate a space near the entrance for shoes, bags, and keys. Having a specific place for these items will keep the rest of your home free from scattered belongings and make it easier to get out the door in the mornings.
4. Use Bins and Baskets for Quick Clean-Ups
Keep decorative baskets or bins in key areas like the living room or bedrooms for quick and easy clean-ups. You can toss toys, books, or random items into them when you need to tidy up in a hurry.
6. Get the Kids Involved
Assign age-appropriate tasks to your kids. Decluttering can be a family activity, and it teaches kids responsibility. For younger children, make it a game where they "find 5 things to give away" or "put 10 toys in the basket."
7. Use the “Touch Once” Rule
When dealing with paperwork, toys, or clothes, adopt the "touch once" rule. If you pick some
thing up, deal with it right away—either put it where it belongs, donate it, or throw it away. This minimizes the time spent moving the same items around the house.
8. Keep Flat Surfaces Clear
Flat surfaces like counters and tables tend to attract clutter. Commit to keeping these spaces clear as much as possible. A clear counter instantly makes the whole room feel more organized and calm.
9. Utilize Vertical Storage
For small spaces, think vertical. Use shelves, hooks, or hanging organizers to maximize wall space, especially in areas like the pantry, closets, or bathrooms. This helps you keep things off the floor and more easily accessible.
10. Create a “Maybe” Box
If you're unsure about certain items, put them in a “maybe” box. Store the box out of sight for a month or two. If you haven't needed or missed any of the items during that time, it’s safe to donate or dispose of them.
11. Tackle Small Tasks During Routine Activities
Make the most of your daily routines by adding quick, clutter-busting tasks. For example, while waiting for dinner to cook, unload or load the dishwasher. Or, when you’re washing your hands in the bathroom, take an extra minute to wipe down the counter. These small, extra tasks only take a couple of minutes but, when done consistently, they help keep clutter and mess under control without adding to your already busy schedule.
Want an easy and fun way to help keep yourself, and your family, motivated to keep your house tidy? Grab these tidy-up cards, print them out and keep them handy. It's a quick and easy way for everyone to know what needs done in each area of the house.
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
