The world keeps getting more and more fast-paced, and our brains and bodies aren’t really keeping up.
As moms, can we possibly create a home that is a peaceful space, a safe place from which our kids can explore?
My guest today is Jennifer Pepito, author of Habits for a Sacred Home, and we talk about just that, including:
- Why moms are naturally fearful (and what we can do about it)
- What exactly IS a “sacred home” and how do we begin creating one
- Creating order in chaotic times through basic rules of life
- The joy and benefit of passing on life skills to our kids (and some practical tips to make it happen)
- The role of cooking in developing a community of shared values within (and without) the home
- The key to better outcomes and more responsible children
- Why rules don’t work when done incorrectly
- The first step to creating a sacred home is so simple, it takes only about 10 seconds per day, per child
Jennifer is so grounded and yet practical, balanced in her approach and yet challenging – I loved chatting with her, and I know you’ll enjoy the interview as well!
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Can’t see the video? Watch Creating a Peaceful Home here on YouTube!
No time for the video? Here are the notes!
Cultivating a Peaceful Home
- 1:27: Today I’m chatting with Jennifer Pepito about creating a peaceful home amidst the chaos of the world.
- 3:43: Jennifer shares her background story with us. She refers to herself as a student of motherhood. (Which I love!)
- 5:30: In Jennifer’s bio it says she helps moms overcome fear. What are moms so afraid about? Mothers face fears that they aren’t doing enough, aren’t capable, are alone or they’ll make mistakes, just to name a few.
- 6:38: Social media amplifies many fears we may already be dealing with. We’re both Christians so we lean on scripture and prayer to ease our fears.
What Is a Sacred Home?
- 9:22: Jennifer defines a sacred home as a home that is consecrated to God. Yes, there are humans living there so there will be mistakes and messes, but the goal they’re working towards is a home consecrated to God and bringing order to the chaos. What are your family’s values and how can you order your life around those? There are many benefits to gathering together around the dinner table.
- 12:24: In her book, Jennifer shares nine habits their family cultivates. Two of them are simplicity and stability. She shares a couple of the women discussed in the book and how they embodied simplicity and stability in their lives. Habits, chores, and practices that seem mundane in your daily life can have far-reaching impacts.
There’s something about working with our hands and not being on a screen that is so settling for our nervous system. -Jennifer Pepito
Chemicals in Pajamas?
Kids spend about half their time in bed and pajamas. Most kids PJs are laced with toxic flame-retardant chemicals or made with fabrics that will melt when exposed to flames and we say “No thank you!” to those in our house!
It’s tricky to find non-toxic pajamas, but I’ve got you covered! Some of our favorite brands of non-toxic PJs:
- Hanna Andersson is still mostly safe (on Amazon, and through Rakuten for the best deals)
- Target carries enough tight-fitting pajamas that it’s worth your time to check there, but many of theirs are not safe
- Primary
- Pact
- Burt’s Bees organic PJs (at Target, Amazon, and elsewhere)
- 15:59: We can’t underestimate the power of creating a peaceful home. There’s so much personal joy, and peace that comes from caring for our homes and our surroundings.
Teaching Life Skills to Kids
- 17:52: Let’s talk about life skills. How do we pass those on to our kids? In Jennifer’s homeschool curriculum, she has families learning life skills like sweeping and folding laundry and baking as part of the weekly schedule.
- 21:26: Jennifer’s biggest practical tip is to start your kids young when teaching them life skills. Give your toddlers a lump of their own bread dough or some seeds to plant and let them work alongside you.
- 23:56: Our homes are the environment that shapes our kids’ image of home. If you live in squalor that’s the standard your kids take into adulthood. If your family all pitches in and does their part to keep the house peaceful then that’s what they’ll take with them.
- 24:38: Of course, we have to talk about cooking! Being in the kitchen and eating together develops community and that starts in the home. Be hospitable to your children, show them that you want to spend time with them, and break bread with them. Model for them how you can be hospitable to friends, neighbors, and extended family.
What Are the Benefits of a Sacred Home?
- 27:29: What are the benefits, the fruits, of a sacred home? Having a sacred home creates space for your family to experience the presence of God. Your home should be a place of rest and refuge.
My son Paul wrote a real cookbook!
He and 4 friends have published a cookbook by kids, for kids, all healthy foods — Chef Junior.
If you want to see how kids write to kids and get some fab bonuses for supporting these 5 teen authors, buy the book and then redeem the bonuses the kids created!
What’s important is the presence of God, and sometimes having some rules, values, or habits in place is what makes more space for that. -Jennifer Pepito
- 30:02: Many Christian parents want to know what they can do to ensure their kids keep their faith as adults. I was reading an article about a study done on adult children who stayed in the church and growing up in a family with a warm faith who integrated their faith in their daily lives was a significant determining factor.
- 30:53: Sometimes rules actually create more peace and joy. Having habits and boundaries might not seem as fun as letting go of all the rules, but within the rules, there is safety. (Kind of like having a budget can take away stress over money)
- 33:24: Let’s chat about some obstacles that you may come upon while creating a sacred home. Of course, your family may not be on board or make fun of some of your efforts. We need to be steadfast, faithful, and consistent. It’s ok to make mistakes or fall off a new habit for a week, but just pull yourself up and try again. It’s the little seeds that make the big difference.
- 34:45: Jennifer shares a practical step you can take today. Make sure you’re looking each of your children in the eye every day. Our kids will not respond to our values if they don’t feel noticed and valued by us.
If we start with love, then the habits are a joy to implement. -Jennifer Pepito
- 36:01: It can be really difficult to learn new habits. Jennifer uses habit trackers and planners to help her form new habits. In her Restoration at Home Community, they all work on the same habits each month to keep each other accountable. You can set a reminder on your phone, use sticky notes, whatever you need to do.
Resources We Mention for Creating a Peaceful Home
- Jennifer’s books: Habits for a Sacred Home (Amazon, Bookshop), Mothering by the Book (Amazon, Bookshop)
- There are many benefits to gathering together around the dinner table
- Restoration at Home Community
- Find Jennifer online
- Follow her on social media: Instagram, Facebook
- Jennifer’s podcast: Restoration Home
- How does a mom make time to care for herself?
What You Should Do Next:
1. Subscribe to the Healthy Parenting Handbook Newsletter
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2. Try a Free Preview of My Cooking Class for Kids
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3. Enroll in the Online Cooking Course for Kids:
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About Katie Kimball
Katie Kimball, CSME, creator of Kids Cook Real Food™ and CEO of Kitchen Stewardship®, LLC, is passionate about connecting families around healthy food. As a trusted educator and author of 8 real food cookbooks, she’s been featured on media outlets like ABC, NBC and First for Women magazine and contributes periodically on the FOX Network.
Since 2009, busy moms have looked to Katie as a trusted authority and advocate for children’s health, and she often partners with health experts and medical practitioners to stay on the cutting edge. In 2016 she created the Wall Street Journal recommended best online kids cooking course, Kids Cook Real Food™, helping thousands of families around the world learn to cook. She is actively masterminding the Kids’ Meal Revolution, with a goal of every child learning to cook.
A mom of 4 kids from Michigan, she is also a Certified Stress Mastery Educator, member of the American Institute of Stress and trained speaker through Bo Eason’s Personal Story Power.