69 Ways We Are Learning Contentment in Our Home
{This post contains affiliate links.}
This journey toward growing a content heart started over two years ago. I have not arrived. But the Lord is teaching me through many daily, mundane aspects of life, how to be content with what we have, right where we are.
So to give you an idea of what life is like in my home, as we seek to be more content and teach our kids what this means, here are a few specific ways we are working on this:
69 Ways We Are Learning Contentment in Our Home
- Kids help out with chores.
- Regular Goodwill/donation sweeps.
- Pretty much always making food at home.
- Eating all the leftovers.
- No. Credit. Cards.
- Not going somewhere if we’re short on gas and money.
- Dance parties = exercise!
- “You gotta try new food because it might taste goo-ood!” (Daniel Tiger fans can sing along…)
- No “just for fun” shopping. Really.
- Checking out books from the library instead of buying them.
- Entertainment choices: broadcast TV and Amazon Prime Video. (Okay, some YouTube.)
- Checking out DVDs from the library instead of….you know.
- Making sure our entertainment choices pass the “Philippians 4:8 Test.” (Post coming on this topic!!)
- Drawing. Just because.
- Two or more children working on a chore together. Like…as a team.
- We. Have. No. Video. Games. (There. I confessed.)
- Just go in the backyard. Just play outside. Go.
- Taking walks.
- Two mugs of chai and some conversation at my own table = mother/11-year-old daughter date.
- You fight over a toy—it’s gone.
- Consistent, expected consequences for certain bahaviors.
- The 2 Steps
- Read books.
- Make your own book.
- Create anything you want from all the craft supplies mom scattered on the kitchen table.
- Slime and playdough. ‘Nuff said.
- Daily Bible reading habit. (More posts coming on this topic!!)
- Make a mess—clean it up.
- Be modest.
- Drink water and milk.
- Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool, instead of expensive curriculum. Seriously, it’s awesome. And more than enough.
- Setting timers to stay on task.
- Listen when someone else is talking.
- Even if it was an accident—apologize.
- When you obey, there are blessings. When you disobey, there are consequences.
- Taking turns.
- Baby wipe containers make great art supply boxes.
- Just make music together!
- Playgrounds and parks.
- Big kids help the toddler.
- It’s okay to just watch one TV show. No really, you’ll survive.
- Just look out the window while mommy drives.
- Family meals at the table.
- Telling jokes to each other.
- Tickle parties! (Also exercise.)
- Hug time. I mean big, bear hugs.
- Baking with messy children.
- Making crafts for each other = mommy/6 -year-old daughter date
- Read more books.
- Not always doing all the things all of our friends are doing. Even if they’re awesome friends.
- I took all games off my phone.
- Floor puzzles.
- Board games. It’s ok to lose—because we are having fun together.
- Loud, crazy time and quiet, calm time are both ok.
- A spiral notebook really is the most flexible planner.
- Think you need it? Pray for it. Then leave it up to God.
- Doing/making things for others.
- Table manners.
- Good conversations.
- A thermos of homemade chai when I leave the house, so my car doesn’t want to pull into Starbucks.
- Knock and wait—on bedroom and bathroom doors.
- Screen time must be earned.
- Failure means you learned something.
- Not having a choice about everything.
- Telling the truth is required.
- Hand. Washing. Dishes. For 6 people. (No dishwasher in the rent house.)
- Read even more books.
- If you can’t say nothin’ nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.
- And finally, find something to say “thank you” for, instead of complaining. Like this:
This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but my brain got exhausted realizing all the ways we are growing in contentment in our home! I did not know how much I would come up with when I started this list.
What resonated with your heart, mama? What ways is your family already working on being content with what you have, right where you are?
I am cheering you on! We are in this together.
You also might like:


15 Comments
Sheila Rhodes
As an empty nester my husband and I say Thank-You to each other because we don’t want to get in the habit of taking each other for granted. When the kids are gone it will be just the two of you so make sure you make time for each other. I love your list and you are doing a great job momma!
Susan Haines
Thank you for your encouraging words, Sheila. God is good!
Zaibel Torres
You must know my mom! This is all really good! I had to print this out to keep at home
Susan Haines
That’s awesome, Zaibel! What a great idea. Maybe I’ll create a printable list of ideas. Cheering you on!
tiffany Montgomery
I couldn’t agree more that no credit cards brings a huge level of contentment! We are debt free as of February and it has been amazing to know we have to be able to pay for it now or we don’t need it!
Susan Haines
Congratulations! We look forward to the day we are debt-free. For now, it is absolutely freeing to pay cash for anything we need or want. Growing content hearts!
Kathleen Bailey
I like the idea of two kids doing a chore together but I feel they will just fight the whole time. Something to work towards. They need to learn cooperation. Why do kids have so much trouble with these two: make a mess – clean it up and even if it’s an accident – apologize. Our family needs to work on those two. Oh and looking out the window when mommy drives. My youngest really struggles with feeling like she needs entertainment during car rides. Uh no! Entertain yourself.
Susan Haines
Honestly, all the ideas on this list, including things like kids working together… don’t always work well. It is definitely a work in progress. “Growing” a content heart… Still growing as a family. Praying you find those little ways to help your kids grow in this! I’m cheering you on. We’re in this together!
Jan Eldred
I love it! REAL family life, with less electronics, eating out and constant going and buying! You are so on the right track. Keep up the encouragement Susan!
Susan Haines
Yes! That’s just it. REAL family life. Thank you for your words, Jan!
Susan Haines
Yes! That’s just it. REAL family life. Thank you for your words, Jan!
Susan Evans
Contentment can be invigorating when you realize that fun doesn’t have to cost any money.
Susan Haines
So true, Susan! I love the way you put that!
Heather Hart
Sounds like your family is doing some great things. Thanks for sharing this list.
Susan Haines
Thanks, Heather! 🙂