• How to teach patience

    ByKristin family, motherhood

    I’m not naturally a very patient person. I make quick decisions, want to solve problems, and don’t like to waste time. But as I’ve grown up and settled into adulthood, I’ve found a slower pace is often better for my emotional and mental health. Plus, there are valuable lessons in waiting and not always immediately jumping for instant gratification. These are things I’ve learned, mostly the hard way, that I want to pass along to my children. 

    I guess we’ll have to wait and see if they’ve learned any of them! 

    Here are some ways to help teach patience in your home:

    1. Baking

    Let’s start with something sweet, because bribing … er, I mean, teaching kids with cookies is a time-honored tradition. Baking is a delicious way to teach patience. From mixing ingredients to waiting (agonizingly) for the cookies to bake and cool down — each step is a lesson in delayed gratification. Plus, the reward is sweet, and who doesn’t love a warm cookie?

    (These are currently our favorites.)

    2. Gardening

    Now, I love the idea of having a garden. During the social distancing days of 2020, we planted some tomatoes and squash. It was amazing to watch them grow and provide edible food that made its way to our plates. BUT the deer also liked the tomato plants – and when I say “plant,” i mean they liked the whole entire plant, not just the red, juicy tomatoes. 

    So, yes, gardening would teach patience. There’s a whole process: bury seeds in the dirt; wait for them to sprout and grow, wait for the produce to ripen. Kids learn quickly that no amount of foot-stomping or complaining or watching will make a plant grow faster. There are so many life analogies associated with harvesting. That’s just not a strategy we use around here. 

    3. Puzzles & games

    I introduced my 8-year-old daughter to Sudoku this summer while she was waiting at an appointment with me. Then she found a book of these puzzles in our craft cabinet and worked on it when she was waiting on us the other day. I love a good number game that effectively slows the pace and provides mental exercise. Sudoku, with its grids and need for thoughtful placement, teaches kids to slow down and think about their choices. 

    Board games are not just fun. They also teach patience while taking turns and waiting on others to make their moves. We recently played Splendor and Sequence (a funny new-to-us cat version that doesn’t seem available anywhere) with our kids. We go through phases with which games are in our rotation of favorites. (Here and here are some we like!).

    Good things – like beating your parents or sibling – come to those who wait and play by the rules.

    5. Crafts

    I’m not much of a crafty person, but my oldest teenager has helped her sister with many 

    craft projects, especially making slime. Crafts often require multiple steps that involve waiting for paint to dry or glue to set. Kids engaged in crafting learn to follow a process and wait to see their final masterpiece. Whether it’s a macaroni necklace or a cardboard castle, crafts teach kids that some things can’t be rushed. (Perler beads have been a favorite this summer for my youngest.)

    6. Books

    Y’all know I love a book. Reading fiction is one of my favorite ways to slow down and not rush through the day. I hope my kids have caught that from me! June has been a fabulous reading month for me – and the month isn’t even half over. That’s because I’ve taken time away from chores to read by the pool or on the porch. (Follow #KHTreads on Instagram and Facebook to see what I’m reading!)

    I recently bought my kids some new chapter books, so here’s to patience and escaping into a fun, adventurous story! As the plot unfolds slowly, kids learn to wait for the next chapter each night, building anticipation and satisfaction. 

    7. Get outside

    Whenever my kids are moping around like they have nothing to do, I encourage them to get outside. There are so many activities that help them get away from the hustle of chores and ease of zoning out technology. Riding the four-wheeler, exploring the creek and woods, playing with the pets, and swimming all bring a fresh (and slower!) perspective to enjoying God’s creation. Plus then they’re away of the trees changing with the seasons and how we can’t rush God’s work in our lives and around us.

    How do you slow down and embrace patiently not rushing through life?

  • How to enjoy winter days at home

    ByKristin family, winter
    God has made each season beautiful and appropriate in its own time. - Kristin Hill Taylor, Bringing Home More Than Groceries #morethangroceries

    Y’all know I’m a summer girl, but cozy, slow mornings or evenings at home are one of the perks of winter. Yes, days are short and temperatures colder than I’d prefer, but let’s look on the bright side of these colder times of the year. Even though I’m not sure about the single-digit weather coming our way later this week, I’ll have to take advantage of my warm house and some cozy activities!

    Pajama mornings

    I just told someone today I’m craving a slow morning in my pajamas. We have some plans during Christmas Break, but I purposefully didn’t make any early morning appointments. To wake up without an alarm and be able to stay in comfy clothes for a few hours will be a treat for us all in my house. My son will make hot chocolate, my oldest daughter will sleep in the longest, and my youngest will sneak into my bed to snuggle with me. I love making pancakes (especially this Cracker Barrel copycat recipe) or French toast on our griddle. 

    Game nights

    Game nights are our favorite winter social activities! Inviting people over in the summer comes more naturally with our pool and porch, but there are fun winter opportunities too. We have friends over to watch our favorite Murray State Racers basketball team or play board games. There are many new board games out there, and I even bought my kids some for Christmas! (Here are some of our other favorites!) 

    Prepare meals

    I like to cook more in the winter too. Warm casseroles and soups hit the spot and provide good meals. Sometimes it’s just as easy to cook for more people, so we will invite friends over to share Taco Soup with us. I have a couple of meat lovers in my house, so maybe I need to learn new ways to make the best tomahawk steak at Jerkyholic.com or embrace baking a little more! I do love baked goods, but I’d rather cook the main courses. 

    Get outside 

    Of course, I’m tempted not to leave my house in the winter, but getting outside – even in the cold – is always good for my soul. Thankfully, we live where we have lots of wide-open spaces to roam, so walking through our woods, down the logging road, or even down the street is always a welcome break from the indoors. My kids like when it snows – and then they’re most definitely interested in getting outside! Yes, and then Ben will make more hot chocolate to warm himself right up! 

    How do you like to spend your winter days?

    *****

    Hospitality matters in every season, and I share some ways to connect with others even in winter in the free printable that goes with my book, “Bringing Home More Than Groceries: Stories About Gathering & Nourishing People.”