* The first week in November in 1960, John F. Kennedy (while campaigning) mentioned his idea of the Peace Corps.  This idea, of course, came to fruition in the following year, and was intended to encourage peace and friendship throughout the world.  To date, over 200,000 American citizens have joined the Peace Corps and served in almost 140 countries.  As moms, we sometimes want nothing more than a little peace and friendship within our homes.  (Or is that peace and quiet we want?)  Well, today I thought it might be fun to feature some ways to encourage peace and friendship right under our own roofs.  (Okay, that photo is so not what breakfast looks like in my house, but we can aspire, can’t we?)

* Want peace? Give everyone a piece of the house for their own.  That way, everyone has a way to “get away,” at least for a little bit of time each day.  If you can’t give everyone their own bedroom, then think loft spaces and hidden reading nooks.  These will at least create the feeling of a little private enclave (and  you know how I love my little private enclaves).  Out of ideas and don’t have much money?  Pop up a small tent in the middle of the room, or hang a hammock outside (see my favorite hammock here).  Or, for goodness sake, just hang a sheet over a chair.  Kids love that.  And you will get blessed moments of bliss to yourself.  Trust me on this one. (Do the members of your family need even more space to themselves?  See here for Dual Master Suites, Dual Chefs, and Keeping Family Duels to a Minimum.)

* More peace for the troops?  A place of their own for their “stuff,” a place of their own for their hobbies, and a place of their own for their toiletries (especially if we’re talking teens here). How about a French bathroom storage basket system, like the one pictured?   It’s also nice to have dedicated places for sharing–the kitchen table (which can double as a work space, of course–we all know that’s the place where kids like to do their homework), the family TV room (or theater, if you can want to call it that, whether or not you have all the fancy equipment), and the foosball table in the basement or basketball hoop outdoors.  (Here are other small things to add to encourage togetherness.)

* Want to encourage friendship?  Make your home a fun place to gather.  A kitchen where people congregate (see Create a Home That Makes Entertaining Easy).  A patio complete with twinkly lights and a chiminea.  A trundle bed for sleepovers and a comfortable guest room for the grandparents’ visits.  A basement for those teen parties (you will be glad you have this space during those years–trust me again). (See The Teen Scene here).   And a porch just for sitting and visiting with the neighbors.

And now, why upset all this peace and friendship with a DIY disaster?  Find service pros on Kudzu who can help you make your home more livable–and help you keep the peace while doing it.