Simplify Your Family Life

As a mother of 7 children under the age of 16~ I'm always looking for ways to save money, spend less, and live a less stressful life ~ all in order to have harmony in the home.

I've created a list of things that has worked wonderfully in our home and created peacefulness and comforts in the midst of the busyness of life with 7 kids.

For the next few days, I'd like to share my list with you ~ and ask you to share your ideas, and take my challenge to try out these things in your home.....to see if it creates the peace you are longing for. The list might seem complicated to some, but don't try to tackle everything on the list at once, take one bite at a time...and chew on it. You won't be disappointed!

OK here we go!

1. Dedicate a specific day and or time for Family Time. Try to find regular times in your schedule when you do nothing else but spend time together as a family. For some people, dinner time works well — everyone sits down to dinner together as a family, and no other activities are planned at that time. For others, weekends, or maybe just one day of the weekend, work better. We used to use Sundays as family day~ now we are switching it to Friday nights. We try not to schedule anything else on that night into Saturday morning except time for our family. It’s something we look forward to.

2. Create weekly routines. Aside from regular family times (mentioned above), it’s good to have a weekly routine that’s written out and posted somewhere everyone can see it. A weekly routine might include regular practice times, house cleaning day, washing the car, yard work day, errands day, recurring appointments, etc. This makes the schedule more predictable for everyone, and eliminates a lot of surprises. If you think about going to school, and why large amounts of children are able to function in a classroom....it's because there is a posted schedule. This helps alleviate the 'unknown' and their is lack of boredom. This works really well especially for children with disabilities, but I believe it works for EVERYONE.

3. Focus on doing, not on spending. Too often we send messages to our kids about how to live life, based on what we do: we like to go shopping, and eat out, and go to the movies, and so our kids learn that having fun means spending money. We focus on material things, and therefore so do they. Instead, teach them (by talking but also by your actions) that what’s important is doing stuff, not buying stuff. Go for walks in the park, play outdoors, play board games, read, tell stories, play charades, cook and clean, go to the beach or lake, build stuff, wash the car. Spend quality time together, doing stuff that doesn't cost money.


OK there are 3 things to get you started on simplifying your life!! I challenge you to pick one right now..and put it into action. Once you pick the act, write me, and tell me which one you chose, and how you are going to put it to action. Then keep me updated.

I look forward to creating a simple life and a peaceful family with you!

Making Today A Great Day,
~T