When was the last time you heard silence? Do you have time alone with your own thoughts? When and where do you visit quiet? Have you been there lately?

As I write this, my house is unexpectedly noiseless. Our puppy has fallen asleep. Our sons are reading in their room. Even our chatty parrot seems lost for words. The only sounds I can detect are the fan on my laptop and the tick of a nearby clock.

Circumstances such as these almost never happen spontaneously in our home. Quiet moments must be sought, organized and planned.

My strategy generally involves getting up before the rest of the family. I’m much more cheerful about getting my husband’s breakfast if I’ve had a chance to collect my thoughts, brush my teeth, and get into my workout clothes before his alarm rings.

Between my husband leaving for work and our children waking, I have another chance to enjoy some time to myself. I sometimes listen to an audiobook, but more often I simply munch my cereal, let my thoughts roll, and jot notes as things come to mind.

I need this time inside my own mind. I knew when we had children that they would occupy much of our time. However, I was not prepared for how much of my mental space they would demand.

We have very curious, thoughtful children. Something I am very thankful for. However, it also means that I spend many hours each day answering questions, discussing topics of interest, and addressing concerns. To perform these mental gymnastics proficiently, I need quiet time for my own mind to regenerate.

In our world of constant information and entertainment, our minds are often so filled with the bombardment that time to ponder and consider rarely arrives unless we seek it out. We get so in the habit of listening to the radio, watching television, or surfing the Web that we feel shocked when moments of silence reach us.

Sometimes it just takes a conscious effort. For example, before we had children and I had an hour commute each weekday, I made a habit of not turning on the car radio until I had reached a particular point.

In college, I learned that I usually concentrated best with a minimum of noise. I would continually turn down my radio until it really was inaudible. I also chose the hours that my three roommates were gone to tackle my toughest subjects.

Now, during the summer, I spend considerable hours making circuits of our yard on the lawn mower. Although the machine itself makes quite a racket, it blocks out everything else, leaving me alone with my thoughts. In fact, it forces the issue by drowning out the ringing of my cell phone or sound of any audio entertainment I might otherwise choose.

I am free to watch the swallows swoop around me munching bugs and to consider my topic of choice.

Not only do adults need time without constant chatter and electronic interruption, children need to learn to unplug and seek quiet as well. The draw of entertainment, computers and handheld devices can be all consuming if not purposely kept in check.

Children need to embrace such moments, so that the creativity of their own minds can shine through. But, don’t expect stillness to accompany a lack of noise. Sometimes children need to move to help their imagination flow.

At times, noise and entertainment can keep us going or inspire us. I know I run much farther on my treadmill if I want to see the end of a program or movie. But, sometimes the constant drumbeat just keeps us distracted so that we do not fully engage with the world around us.

Have you sought quiet moments recently? Have you encouraged your children to seek them? If not, consider ways that you and your family could find some noise free time. You may all benefit from the effort.