In an age of widespread excess and wastefulness, many parents wonder how they can encourage their children to adopt a minimalist mindset. Living in simplicity can relieve much of the clutter and distractions that prevent one from appreciating the humble joys of life. In response to society’s growing dependence on immediate gratification and convenience, many parents are choosing to raise their kids differently. Here’s what to know about the growing trend of minimalist parenting, and how you can adopt its practices.
What Is Minimalist Parenting?
Minimalist parenting promotes minimalism and simplicity in all aspects of life. The term first became popular in 2013 when authors Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest made it the focus of their book “Minimalist Parenting.” The overarching theory of this parenting approach is that you can foster a family life that’s more joyful and meaningful when you get rid of all the unnecessary expectations and possessions.
Contrary to what some may claim, minimalist parenting isn’t about punishing yourself or going without what you need. Instead, it’s about choosing to intentionally live a life devoid of clutter. It’s about embracing a lifestyle that focuses more on finding value in people in experiences than in meaningless “stuff.”
For example, instead of constantly purchasing video games and toys, maintain a modest toybox and take your children outside frequently to enjoy shared play experiences. Throwing frisbees, jumping rope, and playing on swing sets for kids will build physical and social skills while creating memories to last a lifetime.
Why Is Minimalist Parenting Trending?
Minimalist parenting is trending because it’s a refreshing, low-stress approach to parenthood. It helps combat the busyness and materialistic nature of modern life by focusing on a less-is-more attitude. It may be challenging to switch to a minimalistic approach at first, and it’s natural to experience some pushback from your kids.
However, once they get used to the simplicity of their new lifestyle, they’re more likely to embrace and appreciate it.
Parenting in a minimalist way offers many benefits, including:
- Improved mental health
- Less time decluttering and tidying up
- Fewer distractions from the people and things that matter most
- Improved finances and less money wasted on things that add to your overall stress
- Higher-quality relationships and memories
- Children who are more disciplined and emotionally mature from an early age
Minimalist parenting can also help you get rid of unrealistic expectations that constantly make you feel like you’re failing and inadequate. In short, taking parenting back to the basics can help you and your family enjoy a higher quality of life and recognize what’s truly important.
How to Apply Minimalist Parenting
Now that you know some of the benefits minimalist parenting can offer, you may be wondering how to apply its practices in your family’s life. It’s simpler than you think, so here are a few things you can start to incorporate into your parenting practices today.
Focus on Unstructured Play
Unstructured play is any child-directed form of play that doesn’t adhere to predetermined rules or adult guidance. It’s also commonly called “free play,” and it gives kids an opportunity to use their imaginations and think outside the box.
Unstructured play is motivated by curiosity and helps young ones make their own playtime decisions. It can be very beneficial for a child’s problem-solving skills. It can also help young ones discover what interests them through exploration and trial and error.
Allow Your Child to Make More Decisions
It’s easy to become an overbearing parent and dictate everything you want your child to do. However, minimalist parenting stresses the importance of letting kids choose for themselves. Does your young one really want to be involved in karate, baseball, and swimming lessons? Or would they rather choose one hobby to pursue and free up the rest of their leisure time to do what they want?
Minimalist parenting doesn’t mean encouraging your child to avoid all extracurricular activities. It just means focusing more on letting them decide what they want to do and avoiding overfilling their schedules with things that keep them busy. Reserving adequate time for relaxation is crucial for helping kids avoid feeling overwhelmed and anxious.
Don’t Strive for Perfection
There’s an old quote about comparison being the thief of joy, and it’s just as true today as it was back then. Comparing yourself to others and trying to reach perfection in your home and parenting style is the quickest way to become a miserable person. What’s worse, it can make everyone around you miserable as well, including your kids.
Minimalist parenting throws perfection out the window. It reinforces the fact that no one is perfect, and that’s perfectly OK! You’re bound to make mistakes from time to time, and you’re not going to mess up your kids’ lives by making them. The beautiful thing about life is that it allows you to learn from mistakes and use your life experiences to become an even better parent.
Let Minimalist Parenting Work for You
These are just a few suggestions for incorporating minimalist parenting approaches into your daily life. Remember that your kids may grumble and complain about living a simpler lifestyle at first. However, they’ll eventually come to appreciate the freedom, relaxation, and joy that comes from getting rid of needless stuff and focusing more on relationships and experiences.
