I’m with you on this, Jeremy. With four children, I think there’s enormous value in an afternoon when nobody needs to be somewhere else.
Those simple afternoons also let children experience being at home as something worth enjoying in itself. I want mine to grow up feeling that being together is enjoyable enough to not need to constantly plan. Your Mondays sound like they’re giving your boys exactly that.
I appreciate it! It’s definitely hard at times. The pull to go do something can be extreme when all four boys are bouncing off the walls like possessed ping pong balls.
The Monday pause doesn’t solve that right away, but it does seem to allow us more calm that day and the rest of the week.
I understand that. I've 3 boys and a girl, and the temptation to fill schedules certainly keeps things moving and there's less bouncing, but I also noticed how much calmer they are with no plans. It's a different calm. I don't mean serene and meditative 😂. I mean, it's a different chaos but a more secure one, if that makes sense?
I love this so much! There is so much available for all of us to do these days. We can fill a day with a million things easily, and supposedly “get our kids ahead.” A nice reminder to slow down. As we sit with our 17 & 20 year old sons, we are trying to put the brakes on now. Slowing down & enjoying the ride more with our family is helpful in so many ways.
Thanks for the reply, and I totally agree. We have 12, 12, 10, and 5 year old boys. Their ability to still get excited about legos, board games, and bike rides has us very grateful AND purposeful about prioritizing that time over "getting ahead". It almost feels counter-culture at this point!
Thanks Jess. I appreciate you reading despite the clear audience names in the newsletter. I believe that finding the time to pause is pretty universal in our current environment!
yes obviously the "audience" is off, but the message is whats important!!! everyone needs to know how to pause and reset in real life not when life is rainbows and unicorns and you articles help! I learn a lot about patience, pausing, and emotional regulation skills.
Love it, we try to keep Sunday completely free of everything but church. That rest time to focus on family is great.
We do miss having a kitchen that welcomes extra hands. The house we are currently renting is designed with one of those C shaped kitchens that puts everyone in each other's way.
Fortunately we won't be dealing with that too much longer, but still don't have the next place yet. That food prep and family meal time is crucial for us.
How cool! My article next week will dig a little deeper into the all day pause, which we typically do on Sunday as well! I have been reading a lot about the origins of the Sabbath and how that was stolen from us over the last couple of decades. It made me and my wife re-commit to the all day pause on Sunday’s.
“Available inventory” made me laugh. I like the idea of protecting an ordinary evening together. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks. It has been a game changer for us. Definitely easier said than done.
I’m with you on this, Jeremy. With four children, I think there’s enormous value in an afternoon when nobody needs to be somewhere else.
Those simple afternoons also let children experience being at home as something worth enjoying in itself. I want mine to grow up feeling that being together is enjoyable enough to not need to constantly plan. Your Mondays sound like they’re giving your boys exactly that.
I appreciate it! It’s definitely hard at times. The pull to go do something can be extreme when all four boys are bouncing off the walls like possessed ping pong balls.
The Monday pause doesn’t solve that right away, but it does seem to allow us more calm that day and the rest of the week.
I understand that. I've 3 boys and a girl, and the temptation to fill schedules certainly keeps things moving and there's less bouncing, but I also noticed how much calmer they are with no plans. It's a different calm. I don't mean serene and meditative 😂. I mean, it's a different chaos but a more secure one, if that makes sense?
I’ve been working on scheduling my family less… it is not easy! Thank you for sharing.
Definitely not easy! Even when I schedule it, I feel the urge to fill it with something else.
I love this so much! There is so much available for all of us to do these days. We can fill a day with a million things easily, and supposedly “get our kids ahead.” A nice reminder to slow down. As we sit with our 17 & 20 year old sons, we are trying to put the brakes on now. Slowing down & enjoying the ride more with our family is helpful in so many ways.
Thanks for the reply, and I totally agree. We have 12, 12, 10, and 5 year old boys. Their ability to still get excited about legos, board games, and bike rides has us very grateful AND purposeful about prioritizing that time over "getting ahead". It almost feels counter-culture at this point!
I feel you! I’m over scheduled right now trying to manage my real job and what I am trying to do in my travel influencing work.
Hi Jeremy! even though I dont have any kids, your articles and resets are still useful for me to read and I enjoy your perspective. thank you so much!
Thanks Jess. I appreciate you reading despite the clear audience names in the newsletter. I believe that finding the time to pause is pretty universal in our current environment!
yes obviously the "audience" is off, but the message is whats important!!! everyone needs to know how to pause and reset in real life not when life is rainbows and unicorns and you articles help! I learn a lot about patience, pausing, and emotional regulation skills.
I really like this idea of having one day on the calendar that is free of any activities. Great advice and approach to family life.
Love it, we try to keep Sunday completely free of everything but church. That rest time to focus on family is great.
We do miss having a kitchen that welcomes extra hands. The house we are currently renting is designed with one of those C shaped kitchens that puts everyone in each other's way.
Fortunately we won't be dealing with that too much longer, but still don't have the next place yet. That food prep and family meal time is crucial for us.
How cool! My article next week will dig a little deeper into the all day pause, which we typically do on Sunday as well! I have been reading a lot about the origins of the Sabbath and how that was stolen from us over the last couple of decades. It made me and my wife re-commit to the all day pause on Sunday’s.