How to Have a Quiet Time with Little Kids at Home
Have you ever woken up early excited to spend quiet time with God? You slip out of the covers and settle in with your coffee and Bible. And then. Just one verse in…the baby just smells you in the air and starts fussing. Or this is the morning your preschooler wakes up with an overnight accident.
Or maybe you never make it out of bed, because your good intentions are quickly forgotten by you deep exhaustion.
Listen, I get it. It can feel incredibly hard to maintain the same spiritual habits you had before kids after you’ve had kids. It’s not that you need to put your faith on the back-burner–it’s just that the approach may need to change.
RELATED READING: A DEVOTIONAL FOR WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE A FAILURE AS A MOM
I like to think about this the same way I do feeding my family of kiddos. Some days are sit-down dinner nights where I make a delicious meal while sipping on my Cherry Bubbly and we enjoy dinner as a family. What. A. Blessing. But we also have nights where we are going to piano, sports practices and church, so it’s inevitably a drive-through dinner night. In both situations the family gets fed.
Think about your spiritual time with God in a similar fashion. SOME days you get that longer, more contemplative time with God–and that’s wonderful. SOME days you meet with the Lord on-the-go, in shorter pockets of time–and that’s wonderful! God meets you in both. .
Why “Quiet Time” Doesn’t Have to Be Quiet
Mamas, let’s remember, Jesus prayed in gardens AND in the middle of crowds. He connected with His Father on-the-go just as much as in solitude
The goal isn’t a perfect environment — it’s a posture of connection. In Matthew 11:25-26 Jesus stops in the middle of the crowd to pray to the Father.
At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!
-Matthew 11:25-26
Fast Food Faith — Practical Ways to Meet God in the Chaos
The length of time alone with God doesn’t equal a quality interaction. A faith that moves with God as your hands are in a sink of dishes or reading a book to your kids or worshipping as you point out a stunning sunset is a real and valid expression of love for God. This isn’t consolation prize or a “B-team” spirituality. This is a sustainable, biblical way to live.
On-the-go moments with God
- Reading the Bible app verse of the day while the coffee brews.
- Worship music on in the background as the kids build Legos.
- Praying out loud on the walk back to the driver’s seat after buckling everyone in the minivan.
- Listening to Scripture or a Christian podcast while you’re taking a walk.
RELATED READING: A CHRISTIAN MORNING ROUTINE FOR BUSY MOMS
In the ordinary moments
- Whispering a one-sentence prayer while folding laundry
- Meditating on one verse you wrote on a sticky note on the kitchen window
- Looking up at the sky on the walk to the mailbox and just worshipping
- Reading a children’s Bible (this is my fav!) with your kids and actually soaking it in.
When the kids interrupt your quiet time.
I’m gonna be honest, when this happens to me my first reaction is frustration and disappointment.
“What?! Now, when I’m just sitting down–now they wake up?”
Christian mama, your feelings are valid, AND it’s okay to let them see you in the Word! Don’t close the Bible and give up—let them climb up beside you as you read. Let them zoom hot wheels cars on your legs as you pray. Let them watch an educational show while you journal.
You’re modeling faith in these exact moments.
RELATED READING: 5 Simple Ways to Spend Time With God When You’re Busy
Sit-Down Dinner — Make it Count When You Can
If you’re like me there are probably more 15-30 minute pockets of time in my life than I realize or take advantage of. (Just open your screen time app if you’re not sure.) Whether you are up early, using nap-time, or sneaking away after the kids are in bed–uninterrupted alone time with God is a gift to take advantage of!
A few simple suggestions:
- Pick a short reading plan rather than opening the Bible with no direction at all.
- Journal one thing you’re grateful for and one thing you need from God.
- Keep it simple so it feels like a gift, not a chore
A Permission Slip for the Tired Mom
Vibrant motherhood doesn’t come from perfect quiet times but from the presence of Jesus woven through ordinary moments.
It’s okay to let this season look different. Jesus is already present. He’s always Emmanuel, God with you. You just gets to notice and draw near to Him.
A Faith Tool for On-the-Go and Sit-Down Time with God
I created the Claiming God’s Faithfulness Bible Study as the perfect tool for moms with busy, full lives and not a lot of time, but who want to go deep with the Lord, quickly. There are short Scripture reading, journaling, reflection time, worship to take with you, and Bible verse cards to remind you what you read. Plus longer Bible teachings for when you have more time and energy to absorb!
