Comfort

The world is getting to be a very scary place isn't it?  I mean it was pretty scary before but lately, between all of the violence, the rising cost of everything, the amount of people looking for work, well it's all very depressing.

As a stay at home/work at home mom there is little or nothing I can do to change the world as it is now. Other than prayer and hope I can't manage to make morons in other parts of the world stop killing each other.  What I can so is bring a measure of comfort to my home and my community in these hard times. 

So how do we do this? How do we change the world one home at a time.  This is what I have been trying.

• Smile more. Everywhere you go, if you catch someone's eye just smile. Especially in your own home. They may think you are a lunatic or they may think you are a friendly beacon in a surly world. Either way you've distracted them for a minute.
• Serve a special dessert. It doesn't matter if you make it or buy it or if it's a simple pudding or a fancy flaming Baked Alaska. Just dish up something your family will love as a surprise. 
• Play a board game.  I hate board games.  Actually I like playing Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble with people who can play but Iwould cheerfully burn every Chutes and Ladders game in the world. However it pleases my little people so play I do.  Meg from Sew Liberated has a great post about games for little people.
• Iron something.  No, I haven't lost it.  Switch everyone's pillow cases mid week with freshly ironed ones. A lavendar spray ups the ante nicely. It's just a lovely, homey touch in a world that can do much to rob you of your sleep.  Even a nicely ironed polo shirt or t-shirt is a pleasure to put on and much appreciated by the recepient.
• Make time for art. If your people are little move it outside to mimize mess but don't let the mess get in the way of fun. You can do something formal, That Artist Woman is a wonderful resource for many ages, or just set out a bunch of materials and encourage some creativity. And don't forget to participate yourself. Mom's creation should be hung up on the fridge right along with
  everyone else's. 🙂  Amanda Soule writes about the healing nature of an art table.
• Turn off the screens.  We are a family of techo-obsessed-gaming-tablet-reading-geeky-computer nerds. We also have TV.  It's all fine, in small doses but the opportunity to let the big scary world in increases dramatically when all the electronics are humming. Pick a day to turn off and just enjoy the quiet.  
• Go outside.  Mom's have a great opportunity to show their children the world is really beautiful. Even if you can just manage a short walk around your neighborhood or a quick run to a park – just do it. You will all be refreshed and renewed after an hour of fresh air.
• Plump the pillows.  Take some time to freshen up the living spaces. Don't spend money. Just sweep through and plump up the pillows, toss the dead plants, rearrange the knick knacks and straighten the lamp shades.  It will take 90 seconds and it will breathe new life into the room and everyone's attitude.
• Serve a snacky dinner.  Everyone loves "little" food. Pull out all of your ramekins and little dishes and dish up a snacky appetizer type dinner in front of a movie.  It's such a comfortable way to have some family time.

 So how do you provide comfort in these trying times?