Creating a peaceful home environment is pretty much a universal goal for parents, right?

Unfortunately, the journey is often filled with roadblocks that hinder our progress, and we need to be prepared for those.

So let's talk about 3 common mistakes that parents make when trying to create a more peaceful home. By addressing these issues head-on and equipping ourselves with actionable solutions, we can create lasting, positive change in our homes that get us much closer to that goal. 

3 Common Mistakes Parents Make When Trying to Create a Peaceful Home

#1 - Setting Vague or Unrealistic Goals
One of the primary stumbling blocks parents face is setting goals that are either too vague or entirely unrealistic. Saying you want to be a "better parent" is admirable, and it's something we all relate and agree with, but it lacks clarity and measurability. To overcome this, it's important to break that down into specific, crystal-clear goals that we can easily track and achieve. Part of achieving goals is being able to identify when we've achieved them. Being a "better parent" is a lot like being a "better Christian" - meaning, there's always room for improvement, and we're like to get distracted from how far we've come by how far we still could go. 

For example, ask yourself what specific actions, to you specifically, equate to being a better parent. If one of the things on your list is being the type of parent who reads to your child often, then a measurable, achievable goal might be committing to read to your child at least five nights a week. This not only provides a clear target but also allows for easy tracking of your progress. By narrowing down your goals to measurable, actionable steps, you set yourself up for success and take a big step closer to creating a more peaceful home.

#2- Overthinking Solutions
As parents, we can all too easily find ourselves overwhelmed by the widespread range of parenting advice, strategies, and techniques available to us. The abundance of information can be wonderful when it solves specific problems that we're facing, but it can also very easily lead to analysis paralysis, where we get stuck in a cycle of overthinking without taking any meaningful action. To overcome this, it's important to develop a strategy that aligns with your personal parenting style. Find something that works for you and your family, and be careful not to get distracted by the many options that work for others and their families. Each of us are unique, as are our children. What works for one may not work for another, and that even applies to the children under our own roof. Think of it like finding your path, committing to your path, and putting on blinders to drown out the distractions along the way. When we simplify the process, we can prioritize what truly matters and make steady progress.

#3- Victim Mentality
The third common mistake parents make is falling into a victim mentality. The most dangerous piece of this is that 90% of those who would confidently say, 'No, I definitely don't have a victim mindset or mentality,' actually just don't realize what that truly looks like. (I made up that statistic, but you get the point.) Phrases like "I don't have time" or "It won't work for me" can become self-fulfilling prophecies that hinder personal growth. Breaking free from this mindset involves challenging your limiting beliefs and acknowledging how incredibly capable you actually are to make positive changes in your life and family.

Scripture tells us that our words have power and we must take our thoughts captive. When you believe in your ability to make effective change, you increase the possibility that you do, significantly. Make sure you're feeding an empowered mindset, not a victim mindset. 

Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings."

2 Corinthians 10:5 "...We take every thought captive to obey Christ."

Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..."

Creating a peaceful home requires intention, self-reflection, and the willingness to commit to making meaningful changes. By avoiding these 3 common mistakes of setting vague or unrealistic goals, overthinking solutions, and (falling victim to) a victim mentality, parents can successfully pave the way to a more peaceful family life. 

I hope this has been helpful! 

P.S. To claim your free gift of 125 Faithful Parenting Affirmation Cards, visit https://www.covenantcollections.com/125 🎁 

With love,

Katy B. 

Founder of Covenant Collections

Certified Parenting & Family Coach