Just a Quiet Moment for Me in the Minivan

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Just a Quiet Moment for Me in the Minivan

Kathryn Gardner • Aug 18, 2022

Just a Quiet Moment for Me in the Minivan

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I don’t even want to calculate how many minutes I spend sitting waiting in the minivan ~ between before and after school pick-up, sports drop off and pick-up, birthday party pick-up and after school activities - let’s just say, it might add up to days per year. But, it’s time I could be maximizing the benefits of.

What do you do when you are waiting for your kids in the car? Most of us jump on our cell phones. Sometimes, I catch up on emails or make a phone call. Sometimes, I scroll mindlessly through recipes to figure out a dinner plan. Other times, I get lost on social media. I want to feel productive and just waiting does not feel productive.

In my search to feel more calm and joy, I realized that I could be using those precious minutes for self-care. That time could refresh me, rejuvenate me and that is productive for our whole family. If I want to feel tranquility and feel at peace, I need to keep feeding my spirit everyday. I need to make the best use of the time I have to myself. I want to fill it with something that lifts my mood, encourages and empowers me for any tough minutes ahead in the day.

Here are 3 ways that I have used my time in the minivan to take care of myself, as a mom!

#1 Uplifting Podcasts

Instead of wandering the internet reading stressful headlines or catching up on Hollywood celebrities to distract me, I have found some inspiring podcasts to listen to. These are great for the hands-free car time at school pick-up (that’s at least 40 minutes each afternoon!). I love when other moms share tips, humor and encouragement in motherhood. We are in this together! Some gentle advice and validation of the truths of our hardships helps me to know that I am not alone and do not need to reinvent the wheel - other moms have ideas and suggestions that may help me or our family to grow and be stronger!

Here are some of my favorite Mom Podcasts:

Raising Boys and Girls with David Thomas and Sissy Goff

Cultivate Your Life with Lara Casey

Help Club for Moms with Deb Weakly

Hint: You can select one of these podcasts OR do a search on Google podcasts for a subject that speaks to you today: marriage, talking to my son, organizing dinners, working from home, laughing more often ~ and enjoy a Tranquility Moment!

#2 Encouraging Books

Before kids, I used to love to curl up on the couch and read for hours. Once we had babies, I just didn’t have the time to do that. Now that the kids are in school, this is a hobby I have gladly taken back up. I love having a “summer book” each summer break to pour into each time I’m in a lounge chair. Sitting in my minivan is another great moment to open a book in peace and quiet. This brings me tranquility because I have time to read and reflect, ponder and get lost in the story. I’m sure there are some amazing fiction books out there, however, I have been drawn to Christian books for moms lately. I love the realness of other moms sharing their struggles in parenthood and how they overcame them. I enjoy taking in new ways to care for myself and make healthy choices. Each of these books have been a great guide for me! (I really enjoy the daily devotional by Candace Cameron Bure, a great way to get centered each day in the car at activity pick-up time)

For more book ideas for Moms, check out my Best Books for Moms Youtube video!

Here are some of my Favorite Mom Books:

Grace Looks Amazing on You by Amy Seiffert

100 Days of Joy and Strength: A Devotional Journal by Candace Cameron Bure

The Dr. Sears 5T Wellness Plan: Transform Your Mind and Body, Five Changes in Five Weeks

Hint: Check out these books OR search on Amazon for topics that matter to you: living a fulfilling life, joy everyday, peace in your home, or accepting love.

#3 Silence

I did not realize how much I seek silence until I didn’t have it anymore. Growing up in a family of 6, there was always commotion and laughter. I am used to a loud house. Yet, I can feel unsettled and tense when the noise level does not stop. I crave silence. I want to be able to hear my own thoughts and take that long exhale breath. For my tranquility, I want to calm my racing thoughts and journal what is on my mind. For my stressed soul, I want to sit quietly in prayer and be able to hear the answers in my heart. When my body is tense and tired, I want to close my eyes in the van and just be. No music. No calls. No emails. Just pure silence. It is the greatest reset you may get today.

Each of these 3 ways of using your time waiting in your minivan for the kids are healing, recharging and rejuvenating. This is what you need and deserve today. You are being mindful about how to best care for yourself and this will recharge your Mom Battery so that you are not weary when they all jump into the car sharing their stories and needing your heart!

Upcoming book in 2022 by Kathryn Gardner ~ Find Tranquility on Your Family Trip: Rest, Recharge and Connect on Your Family Trip. Plus 100 Christian Family Travel Activities

So glad you are on this journey with me to go from stressed to refreshed! Find your tranquility today!

Be well and God bless,

Coach Kathy

Kathryn Gardner, mom of 2, police wife, and Therapist specializing in the wellness of moms & Certified Health Coach moved with her family to Tampa, FL to be near the ocean and explore the health benefits of nature. Her passion is helping stressed moms find tranquility! Check out TranquilityMoms.com for the latest blog post and YouTube video. She posts encouraging messages on Instagram and Facebook.