Throughout Scripture, we see this theme of waiting and being still before the Lord. At the very beginning of Psalm 37, we see this invitation clearly. Different translations say “be silent before the Lord” or “be still before the Lord.”

As this new year began, one of the biggest things I was praying and seeking the Lord’s wisdom on was how I could cultivate stillness and rest within my home while having five children in six years.

A huge revelation I had was introducing silent time in our home.

You may call it nap time or quiet time. The title itself doesn’t really matter. What matters is that it is a moment in time that takes place every single day where we are intentionally still and quiet before the Lord.

I wanted to walk through what that looks like in our home, because it has been single-handedly one of the most impactful and rejuvenating things I’ve done as a mother. I honestly feel sad and grieved that it took six years for me to see the importance of this. My prayer is that it encourages mothers with littles to start implementing this at a really young age, because it is so beautiful.

When Silent Time Happens

The time changes daily in our household depending on activities. It usually happens somewhere between noon and 4 p.m., and we block out two hours for silent time.

This overlaps with the nap of my baby and toddler. During that same time, my older children also participate in silent time on their own.

What Silent Time Looks Like in Our Home

In our home, silent time is time alone in silence.

Each child has their own space. Because some of my children share rooms, they go into different parts of the house.

During silent time, children are encouraged to choose quiet, independent activities such as:

• Reading
• Drawing
• Fine motor activities
• Writing or rewriting Scripture
• Creative or imaginative play done independently

Napping is always welcome. Silent time is a space to do whatever you desire to do by yourself.

For example, my older children enjoy activities with small beads and fine needles. These are not safe to do when my baby and toddler are around, so silent time gives them an opportunity to enjoy older-kid activities without fear of younger siblings getting hurt.

What Silent Time Is Not

I want to be clear about what silent time is and what it is not, because I had previously tried quiet time in our home.

Quiet time worked a little, but it was not rejuvenating or relaxing. I never felt like I could fully take off my mom hat. It always felt like that hat was still on, and sometimes it felt really tight on my head.

Silent time is not:

• Time with siblings
• Time with mommy

It is simply a time set apart.

How This Rhythm Began

When I decided to implement silent time, it was a Sunday afternoon. My husband was gone all day. We had just come home from church, and I had many things I needed to do.

My sister was with me, and she has many friends with eight or more children. She is familiar with the rhythms larger families put in place so that everyone feels rested and has their own space.

She shared the idea of implementing silent time after church. Mom and dad rest, and every child has time alone. It helps everyone feel rejuvenated and ready for the week ahead.

I immediately praised the Lord, because the wisdom I had been praying for came through my sister.

We have been implementing this ever since, and it has been so beautiful.

Why Silent Time Feels Different Than Quiet Time

For me, calling it silent time and clearly establishing what that time looks like made all the difference.

Quiet time still allowed whispering, playing together, and sometimes things would get rowdy. It often felt like any other part of the day.

Silent time feels different. It feels set apart.

When my children ask to do something like play with swords or bow and arrows, I gently remind them that they can do that any other time of day. When they ask to help me with something, I remind them that they can help later, but right now is silent time.

Reiterating the boundaries of what silent time is and what it is not has been incredibly helpful.

The Fruit We’ve Seen

We’ve been doing this for a little over three weeks, and it has already changed our home.

It has changed how my children show up during the rest of the day. As much as we love being together, we are together all the time, and I realized my children were never getting breaks from one another.

Silent time has given them that space to rest and to be still before the Lord.

Each day, I give them the Psalm we are reading, and they meditate on it however they choose. Sometimes they rewrite it. Sometimes they sit quietly with it. It has borne so much fruit in such a short amount of time.

Even the Youngest Participate

Our three-year-old does not nap, but she fully participates in silent time for the entire two hours.

It is a discipline, and many good things are disciplines.

I do reward her for staying in her space without needing to come find me.

I have also found it helpful to:

• Play soft music in their space
• Make sure they can see a clock
• Clearly tell them what time they can come out

This helps prevent constant questions and builds trust. The time is consistent. It doesn’t change. It simply is what it is.

A Sweet, Unexpected Blessing

Recently, I invited a friend over for tea during silent time, and she brought her children as well. My children stayed in silent time, and after the set time, they were able to play with their friends. I was able to have uninterrupted time with a friend, reading Scripture, praying, and simply being together. I truly cannot remember the last time that had happened. It blessed me, and it blessed my friend.

A Final Encouragement

Moms, we have authority over our homes. Sometimes taking authority looks like intentionally giving our children rest and giving ourselves rest in the middle of the day before the Lord.

I pray this blesses you and encourages you to think outside the box.

Quiet Activities for Kids

Looking for some quiet activities for your littles? Here are a few of my personal