Finding Zen in the Chaos: How My Faith-Based Parenting Transformed My Household

Hey there, Homie Mama Friends! I don't know about you, but juggling life as a mom with four kiddos has definitely thrown me some curveballs. Between camp drop-offs, activity practices, and trying to keep up with the latest TikTok trends, I would find myself struggling to maintain peace in our household. But, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining-right?!

It was just another turned up Thursday. The kids were all over the place—arguing over who got the last cookie, leaving a trail of Legos behind them, and challenging my patience every step of the way. I was on the verge of Mommy Meltdown 2.0, feeling like I was losing control of the whole circus act.

In desperate need of a moment to breathe, I retreated to my "mom cave," which, let's face it, is just my closet with motivational quotes on the wall. But hey, it's my little piece of peace! I knew it was time to bring in the real deal—I needed divine intervention!

With the kids distracted, I got comfortable in my quiet space and sat in silence. I thought about what God says about the fruit of the spirit. Temperance and slow to anger is what stood out in that moment. I always ask for guidance on how to bring some sort of peace into our chaotic household. When I pray, I feel an overwhelming sense of calm wash over me, and feel confident in telling myself, "You got this, girl!"

The following days were a game-changer. Armed with my faith and a sprinkle of mindfulness, I decided to take a different approach to parenting and create a peaceful haven for my family.

First things first, I realized that peace starts from within. So, I made self-care a non-negotiable. It's not just bubble baths and face masks (though those are essential too!). I started each day with a quick journaling session after reading my daily devotional, and let me tell you, it's like pressing the reset button. Taking care of myself helped me show up as a calmer, more patient mama.

Next, I decided to be intentional about instilling faith and positivity in our daily routines. We started discussing how we can practice a fruit of the spirit while I made breakfast, where each family member would pick one fruit and tell how they can show it to someone.. It might sound cheesy, but you won't believe the difference it made in everyone throughout the day. They really liked this fruit of the spirit activity.

Fruit of the Spirit kid-friendly activity.pdf

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I’m thinking of also making it a point to incorporate little acts of kindness into our family dynamic. Thought about starting a "Kindness Jar," where we would write down random acts of kindness we did for each other and read them out loud during dinner. It will create an atmosphere of love and also encourage the kids to spread positivity wherever they go.

But perhaps the most significant change came in how I handled conflicts among them. Instead of yelling my head off or playing referee, I tried a new approach. When tempers were high, we went over the fruit of the spirit and talked it out. Everyone got a turn to speak, no interruptions allowed, and we practiced active listening. Trust me, it was like witnessing a miracle—arguments turned into teaching moments, and resolutions were reached without anyone losing their cool.

My faith taught me that no family is perfect, and neither are we. We're all a work in progress, and that's okay! Embracing the imperfections and loving each other through it all is the ultimate goal.

So, Mama, take it from me—incorporating faith and mindfulness into our busy lives is a game-changer. We may be rocking motherhood and other days may be a hot mess but deep down, we've got the power to create peaceful havens for our families. It's not about being perfect; it's about being present, loving, and embracing the journey.

The chaotic days will still come (trust me, they never really go away), but with faith-led parenting, a dash of gratitude, and a sprinkle of mindfulness, we can conquer anything that comes our way.

"What are your go-to strategies for keeping the peace in your home? Share your tips in the comments!"