Do you know the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat? A thermometer reads the temperature or reacts to it but a thermostat sets the temperature of a room.
I realized this week that as parents, and especially moms, it’s our job to be thermostats. We should be setting the temperature or the atmosphere in our homes, not reacting to it.
Have you ever come home from a long day at work and there are socks on the floor, beds aren’t made, school books are strewn everywhere and you find your children glued to the TV screen? If you haven’t then you are better parent than me. In moments like these, I so often lose my patience and become terribly annoyed. Suddenly, the whole house is in turmoil and everyone is on their nerves.
Now don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying that I should not address situations like that. What I am saying is that it is up to me to set the tone and mood of my house. If I come home frustrated and irritable, that is what the tone of my household will be.
How can we be stable thermostats who set the right temperature in our homes?
- Control our emotions – Before we walk through the door, we should take a deep breath and leave the worries and troubles of the day at the door. Walk in with a smile and you will set a pleasant atmosphere for the rest of the evening.
- Remember they are little people – I say this to remind us that although our children are small, they are still people. People with emotions and feelings. They mimic the mood we are giving off. Therefore, if we are stressed and anxious, they will be too. On the other hand, if we are calm and joyful, they will be too.
Let’s all work at setting the atmosphere of our homes instead of reacting to our circumstances. When we can do that, it will make for happier homes, more peaceful children and flourishing marriages.
If you need help controlling your emotions, going to Jesus in prayer is always helpful. If you would like to know more about this, click on the pop up or banner below.