“What is a home without children? Quiet.” (Henny Youngman)

Living with children can sometimes sound like being in the center of a three-ring circus. There’s so much going on, it’s hard to keep up. As the ringmaster, you might be tempted to crack your whip every once in a while just to get some peace and quiet!

Believe it or not, it won’t be long before those kids who sound like a heard of elephants tromping up the stairs will be gone. Don’t be surprised if, as much as you crave quiet now, there comes a day when you miss all that noise.

So try this: Listen to your children. The sad truth is that we sometimes only pay attention to the sounds of our children when they’re irritating us. Just for today, try tuning out the annoying sounds and tuning in to the other sounds. The way they sing to themselves as they read. The giggles and snorts they make when they’re with their friends. The sound of their scratchy voices in the early morning hours when they first wake up.

If you choose to listen for the good noise, the hum of your house may begin to sound less like a family circus and more like symphony hall.