Right now we have seen the challenges of living together when we work, live, and relax all within the same four walls. We may realize that we need to make more room both physically and mentally in our homes if we want to be the best parents we can be. If we are not able to create space for ourselves we tend to find it is harder to regulate our own emotions and we lash out at our spouses and children. What steps can we take to make sure we are building a home for our family where we all can thrive.
Expanding Our Space
For some of us we are in an economically sound place and we might consider updating where we live, whether that’s Salt Lake City, Utah; Topeka, Kansas; or Newport Beach, California. This might look into doing a remodel so that everyone in our family can have a space of their own or remodeling our yard so we can spend more time outside. On the other hand, this might look like talking to a mortgage broker, browsing real estate listing websites, and starting to use search words such as “realtors in laguna beach” or “agents in Salt Lake City” to find a local real estate professional who can help us find our next home. After all, sometimes the best way to create a home is to find a new dream house to live in.
Creating “Me” Space
When we are striving to create a home sometimes we have to look at the space we already have in creative ways. Where can we create “me” space or in other words space we can relax away from others and take a moment to recenter ourselves. These spaces can be created for everyone in our family and provide more space to have fun and relax. We can create a cozy chair covered in blankets and near items that are good memories for us. We can create a beautiful play area for our children where they can be themselves. We can take a window sill and cover it with plants and candles and other items that will bring us joy.
Simplify
As a family with children it can feel like we will never be able to get a grasp on all the stuff that collects in our homes. There are numerous systems out there to help us simplify our lives such as the trendy KonMari Method which is focused on thinking about what stuff brings us joy. In the end sometimes it can be as easy as when you find an item that is worn or broken, right away putting in the recycling or garbage or simply taking regular inventory of what you have and making a commitment to use what you have up before buying new stuff. The less junk we have cluttering our homes the more piece of mind we will find which will lead us to be the best parents we can be for our children.
Have Your Children Be Involved
If we want to create a space that really feels like a home it is important to get our children involved. For young children this can be as simple as asking what colors they want in their room. For older children this may involve asking what spaces they need and what tools they need to keep their spaces clean and organized. If children feel like they are involved in the process of making our home feel like a home they are more likely to be willing to do small chores to help out.
The place we call home has become more important than ever over the past year. We are finding we are spending more time within the four walls of our home then we have ever done before. This means it is vital that we create a space that feels welcoming and useful for everyone in our family. We have the opportunity to find new ways to connect to our family and create deep and lasting memories. What can we do right now to make the space we live in feel more like a home? It might take a little time and effort but it is well worth it in the end as we are more able to be there for our families. We must allow our homes to be spaces that connect us to ourselves and to our best selves.
