Quiet Rhythms | Our Family's Daily Quiet Time

June 1, 2026

We celebrated a recent birthday in our family at this quiet, secluded park.

“Mommy, I can’t wait to go on those big bridges!” said one of my sons as we prepared for a day of shopping.

“They are neat, aren’t they, buddy?” I responded but secretly wished we didn’t have to drive in the tangled web of bridges, crisscrossing like basket weaves.

Weaving our way up and over the bridges, we made our way into the “big” city for a once-a-month shopping run motivated by a low supply of diapers. After finding what we needed and eating a fun lunch in the Sam’s Club deli, we braved the mass of cars surging up and over those weaves again.

From the back seat of the van, a quiet voice said, “Mommy, I like the busyness, but it gets overwhelming after a while. I like being in the busyness for a bit, but then it’s nice to go home.”

“I agree with you, sweetie. I like where we live,” I agreed.

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Little spots of beauty like this brighten my outlook on the day...even if the floor is a mess!

I’m a quiet soul and always have been. When life becomes overstimulating, I struggle with wanting to shut down. But as a mama to young children, shutting down is not exactly an option. So with a heap of grace, I move forward through the hard looking forward to times of quiet.

While some people crave the city life, I crave the quiet of country life. Like the old tv show, I say, “Give me that countryside.” You can have Manhattan and all the mini-Manhattan’s of this world!

While we do not live as deep in the country as we would like (fringe suburbs more like it), our family has created a rhythm of quiet that we dearly love.

My children love playing in this creek. It's not flashy, but often the simple things of life are what children treasure most.

We feel peaceful.

We feel productive.

We feel protected.

Today I want to share one of our quiet rhythms and how it has shaped our home.

You, too, can have a rhythm of quiet, and it’s actually easier to implement than you may think. Let me introduce you to Quiet Time in all of its lovely glory.

What Quiet Time Is

After lunch and reading time, the whole house settles into Quiet Time. Years ago, I rebranded naptime as Quiet Time so as not to insult older children who disdained the thought of naps. Yet no matter the age, we all enjoy a time of peace and quiet to ourselves—an alone time for creativity and rest.

I am currently reading this book to my children. I remember my 2nd grade teacher reading this book to the class, and I was smitten.

Quiet Time is not at a rigidly set time. It’s a rhythm of quietness after our “snuggliest” time of the day—reading together on the couch. It’s like a cup of favorite coffee after a favorite dessert.

Usually, for at least an hour and sometimes closer to two, everyone goes to his designated Quiet Time spot. For the littles, that spot includes a place to sleep and rest. For the older ones, that spot includes a zone for work, play, or creativity.

Embracing the Simpler

We have chosen a family-centered life instead of an activity-centered life. Our family culture revolves around time together rather than each one going his own direction constantly.

Yet everyone needs down time, and everyone needs time alone to think and reflect and rest.

Honestly, after spending all day together, we need breaks from one another to refresh our kindred spirits and revitalize kindness. Quiet Time resets the behavioral clock and gives us fresh perspectives on one another.

I love quiet moments alone on the back patio when I can read and reflect.

Slowing Down

Pushing harder is not always the answer to productivity. I used to think that if I could work intensely every minute of every day that I would be the most productive possible.

But I have found that the opposite is quite true. If I push too hard and too long, I tucker out like a steam engine losing its steam.

Taking time to pause in the middle of the day and quiet my body (and even rest if needed) refuels my energy levels for the remainder of the day. I am actually more productive by taking time for rejuvenation, and my love for my family is actually refreshed when I can get a few minutes break to myself.

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Quiet.

Peace.

Rest.

These are not lazy words. These are not words that modern culture embraces, but these words nurture our hearts and strengthen our hands.

Do you have a rhythm of quiet? Do you take Quiet Time each day? If not, I warmly invite you to try it—even just one day—and I think you may be surprised at the results!

-Ashley

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