Parents and Their Value of Peace and Quiet

Everyone has a routine for them that works, and they really enjoy the peace and quiet that, for some, they can look forward to. My kids are grown and are on their own, but I remember that once they started talking that's when I knew that I would truly never know what peace and quiet was for me at one time. I couldn't wait till they started school.

When they started school, after the housework was done, I found myself wandering around the house looking for something to do. I wasn't a phone gabber, so that wasn't working for me. I slowly started to incorporate other things for me to do. I had time for hobbies, reading or gawd forbid...the soaps! I found that I had time for meditation, listening to my favorite music and having a few of my friends over. I was re-designing myself.

I had a routine that was mine and I stuck to it. When the kids were home with the flu or on vacation, I knew it was only temporary. With vacation time I tried to find something for them to do. Camp, overnights with friends or relatives, I would except any invitations to birthday parties where I could just drop them off and do some running myself.

I found that I was becoming very protective of my peace and quiet and that wasn't something I was really happy with myself for. I had to remind myself that I would eventually get my peace and quiet back. I was the one that had to learn to be patient. The children were only being children. Their routine had been upset as well as mine. One day I would be looking forward to or really missing the sounds of kids running around the house, glass breaking, arguments between the kids and the blaring music coming from their rooms.

You know what? I'm already there. Maybe I can let my hubby run around, scream and yell, break a few plates and maybe then I can feel normal again.