Counseling Blog | The Dunham School | Private PreK-12 | Baton Rouge, LA

Counseling Blog

May 2026

BE STILL and Rest

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Think about the last weekend that you spent with your family. Were you out and about, running to and from sports practices, dance recitals, and birthday parties? Have you ever thought to yourself, “Maybe next weekend we can finally rest…” only to have some obligation come up that prevents that sweet respite in the comfort of your own living room couch? We live in a culture that celebrates busyness. Full calendars, packed weekends, endless practices, lessons, and activities are often seen as a sign of success and productivity. But God in His Word offers a very different picture of a healthy life—one marked by rest, stillness, and abiding in God’s presence.

It can be easy to assume that more activity means more opportunity for our children. But often, the opposite is true: childhood needs margin. Children need time to dream, think, imagine, and simply be. A very wise therapist during my master’s degree training once told me, “We are human beings, not human doings. Rest is vital for our functioning!” Rest is not laziness—it is obedience, wisdom, and a gift from the Lord. 

From the beginning, God modeled rest for His people.

• Genesis 2:2–3 tells us that after creating the heavens and the earth, God rested on the seventh day and blessed it. Rest is woven into the rhythm of creation itself.
• Matthew 11:28 offers us Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
• Psalm 23:2–3 beautifully depicts God’s shepherding heart: “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”

Rest is God’s will for His creation and for our own children—He restores souls, minds, and bodies through intentional stillness.

Psychological research consistently shows that unstructured time—time without constant entertainment or scheduled activity—plays a vital role in healthy development. Decades of child development research have found that:

• Unstructured play supports problem-solving, critical thinking, self-regulation, and creativity.
• Boredom can actually stimulate imagination, because the brain begins to create its own engagement rather than simply consuming stimulation.
• Over-scheduling can contribute to increased stress, anxiety, sleep problems, and burnout–even in elementary-age children.

Studies in educational and psychological journals describe “boredom” not as a negative state to eliminate, but as a springboard for curiosity and innovation. When children are constantly entertained or busy, they don’t learn how to generate their own ideas or enjoy quiet reflection. Being busy all the time can drain creativity, and being still often awakens it.

We can see this phenomenon clearly in our hallways and classrooms. Today’s students are often overbooked with activities, overstimulated by screens, and overexposed to constant noise and information. Yet, many still report feeling tired, unmotivated, and emotionally overwhelmed. When the brain is never quiet, it has little time to process emotions, form memories, or reflect on experiences. Continual busyness can actually suppress imagination and increase stress. Children—and adults—need margin for their minds to recover.

Rest is not simply stepping away from busyness; it is turning toward God. Being still gives children space to listen for God’s voice, reflect on His Word, and recognize His goodness in their lives. Think about the last time you were able to truly rest, and ask yourself, “Am I able to give this same gift to my own children?” Teaching our children to slow down is ultimately teaching them to trust God—that the world keeps turning even when they stop, and that their value is not in productivity, performance, or busyness.

Here are some ways to build healthy rhythms of rest and stillness at home:

Protect Unscheduled Time

Allow your child to have time during afternoons or weekends with nothing planned. Resist the urge to fill every gap, and simply encourage your children to be. Sometimes, this means with you during family time, and sometimes, this means without you. Independent play and free time will spark imagination and draw them to creativity.

Normalize Boredom

When your child says, “I’m bored,” instead of rushing to fix it, encourage them to find something creative in which to invest their time. What might they be able to create, read, imagine, or dream in this space? We all know how our own parents reacted when we said we were bored, and some of us never dared to utter those words as we knew it would mean extra chores to ensure we were never bored!

Limit Constant Stimulation

Create device-free spaces and times—especially before bed. Quiet encourages reflection.

Practice Sabbath Rhythms

Build family habits of rest: slower Sundays, shared meals, reading, prayer, and worship.

Model Stillness Yourself

Let your child see you rest, unplug, pray, and enjoy quiet time with the Lord. Teach your child small practices of stillness such as:

• sitting quietly for a minute and breathing slowly
• reading a short Psalm before bed
• journaling prayers or gratitude
• walking outside and noticing God’s creation

Remind them that being still is not empty—it is being still before God. We cannot control the pace of the world, but we can shape the rhythm of our homes. Childhood is a sacred season. It is meant to be full of wonder, creativity, growth, and rest. When we help our children slow down, embrace stillness, and rest in the Lord, we are not depriving them of opportunities—we are leading them toward wholeness, peace, and spiritual maturity. As May marks a season of celebrating endings and contemplating new beginnings, kick of your family’s summer with habits of rest and God’s stillness.