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A review by chaptersoncapecod
Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Lisa M. Ross, Kim John Payne
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Simplicity Parenting is one of my favorite parenting books to date! It was filled with thought-provoking tips and ideas for raising children, everything from getting your child to eat more food to helping their social and emotional well-being blossom. all while keeping the theme of simplification at the top of mind.
I've thought about simplification often in the most recent months, I guess the most recent years if I'm being honest. If you've ever gone through the possessions of someone who has passed on, you probably understand that previously mentioned feeling. When does stuff become too much?
One benefit of simplification leads to fewer choices - I hadn't thought about this much, but when I read through the impact in the book, well we all just sound silly, because I am this "too many choices" parent at times:
I've thought about simplification often in the most recent months, I guess the most recent years if I'm being honest. If you've ever gone through the possessions of someone who has passed on, you probably understand that previously mentioned feeling. When does stuff become too much?
One benefit of simplification leads to fewer choices - I hadn't thought about this much, but when I read through the impact in the book, well we all just sound silly, because I am this "too many choices" parent at times:
- "What kind of sandwich do you want?"
- "What shape cookie cutter should I cut it with?"
- "Which morning snack do you want?"
- "What water bottle do you want today?"
It's maddening! I have to say, I started this book in late 2023, November ish, and this "choices" section is something I recognized in myself immediately and I stopped asking my child for his opinion on these matters. A 5-year-old should not need to make all of these choices every single day just for me to pack his lunch.
While this book goes through some layers of simplification that are too extreme for my taste (i.e. I am not going to get rid of the TVs in our home), it offers other perspectives which I believe are all valuable. So no, I don't need to get rid of TVs, but my husband and I can set a realistic screen schedule/limit with our child as we see fit.
I feel as though I'm rambling a bit, but I have one more point to share - urging your children (and yourself) to find the beauty in an ordinary day. I've started using that exact language, as in "Today is going to be an ordinary day and we're spending it together. We may hang out at home all day, we might go for a walk, maybe we'll go out to eat, but it's ordinary and we're going to enjoy it." This mindset alone has helped all of us.
There are plenty more highlights and valuable insights in this book - if you're looking for some additional perspectives on parenting, I highly recommend picking up "Simplicity Parenting."
While this book goes through some layers of simplification that are too extreme for my taste (i.e. I am not going to get rid of the TVs in our home), it offers other perspectives which I believe are all valuable. So no, I don't need to get rid of TVs, but my husband and I can set a realistic screen schedule/limit with our child as we see fit.
I feel as though I'm rambling a bit, but I have one more point to share - urging your children (and yourself) to find the beauty in an ordinary day. I've started using that exact language, as in "Today is going to be an ordinary day and we're spending it together. We may hang out at home all day, we might go for a walk, maybe we'll go out to eat, but it's ordinary and we're going to enjoy it." This mindset alone has helped all of us.
There are plenty more highlights and valuable insights in this book - if you're looking for some additional perspectives on parenting, I highly recommend picking up "Simplicity Parenting."