Comments on: Simplify Your Kids

By: chelsea

chelsea — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:00:38 +0000

This was a great article to read. I read it a while back but am going through the archives and finding so many helpful points, thanks Raelee. In the past few days I have also been simplifying a bit… and the books are by far the most missed. I still have one full shelf (we used to have four) and Zorion keeps asking for specific books. He knows they are in the back room and will go and bang on the door… yikes! I’m not quite sure what to do about it, I mean he is only 2.5 and I’m not sure if taking them away is the best thing, especially since I may not realize which ones he’s really attached to (some of them I know of course, others he’s asking for out of the blue).

By: nobleMama

nobleMama — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:55:49 +0000

Hi Angela,
Actually Kim John Payne, in his book, Simplicity Parenting, shares a lot of examples of families with only children. I’m guessing that you’re worried about having fewer toys and eliminating media because you have fears of your child getting bored or becoming more demanding, perhaps? I was worried about these same issues even with two of them. Yes, I love that they have each other to play with, but I have to say that my 3.5 year old is coming up with creative games and solitary play in the afternoons when his big sister is at school. These first few weeks without screens are certainly more challenging than what I suspect life will be when they are over the hump. For me, combining the simplicity parenting with a closer look at how I am developing and creating our family culture – how we work and play together, what kind of daily routines we have, the opportunity for outdoor play and artistic expression, – addressing these has given us a focus. My children’s helpfulness, cooperation, calmness, and less apathy have made a huge difference in everything we do. I think you’d be surprised at discovering how much media is affecting your home life. I know I am! But please, continue to ask questions, as this is a very new and scary approach to your life with your young child.

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:24:45 +0000

How can we apply this simplicity approach for an only child without becoming burnt out ourselves. This approach is great if you have more then one child, however if there is only one… i’m afraid of becoming overly tired.