Image courtesy Idea go at freedigitalphotos.net
In another everyday read, I came across this wonderful article by Tsh. The moment I read the entire article, I peeped out of my laptop to see the variety of toys my daughter has acquired over a short period of 2.5 years of her existence on this planet. That is when I thought what does it take for raising a minimalist child.
I am not entirely a minimalist mom. What is the new trend now you say? Palazzos – Hit me some palazzos I say. That is me! But, over the years of moving rentals, I have come to realize how much of “stuff” I have accumulated. It is only recently that through some up cycling blogs that I am trying to get rid of as much of the stuff that I can. When I was newly married, the whole excitement of setting up a new house made me buy ridiculous amounts of “stuff”. don’t remember the last time I used the Philips multistyler to style my hair. Ridiculous!
Raising a minimalist child equates to the whole household going into minimalist mode. My kitchen is way too full of multiple vessels, multiple cookers, multiple X,Y and Zs. I am too possessive to let go of even a small spoon. How can I raise a child to give away one of her teddies when she sees her mother frantically biting her nails, while the father is giving away extra spoons to the help? This thought had me change my ways and slowly my husband’s too. He is way too attached to his electronics, but anything else he is fine with disposing off.
Coming back to the original question, how do we raise a minimalist child? Here are my two cents:
Stop investing in battery-operated toys now!
I mean it when I say it! It is absolutely no fun when your little one bangs at the xylophone and creates the most irritating sounds. Dump this clutter. As Tsh says, a child needs to get into action with his toys and not just stare at them while they do their thing.
No more than 15 mins of screen time at a time
I am so guilty of this and hence time has come to be the change. If I need to write an urgent email, shove the tablet in front of my little baby and she is occupied. No harm done, right? Big fat wrong! I am consciously trying to limit her time and engage her in activities that are free ended.
Get the whole family to join the minimalistic game
It is easier to get this accomplished if all in the family are on the same page. If you are in a joint set up, this might get a bit tough. But, any rational adult will understand that kids need to innovate to understand who they really are. My daughter is more than just what Elmo or Barbie says she is. She needs to find that out – and that too on her own!
Up cycle or exchange
If there is a toy that your kid really badly wants, don’t deprive them of this luxury. But, in return they have to give up of any of the existing toy or exchange it for the toy that they want. You can donate or sell them online.
Talk, read and go out
This is not a preachy messages at all! Now that I am no longer in the 9 to 5 grind, I realize that there is so much more to life that I really didn’t take time to notice. Even if you are a working mom, use the weekends!
Minimalism is a way of life. It isn’t something that can be isolated to just one part of your whole life. Making your kids understand that how happiness is not linked to the number of things one has. It is not an easy task in the materialistic society, but not an impossible one.
There might be days that they will feel underprivileged, but that is where you being a good parent comes into the picture. Spend time to explain why life is the way it is and why you chose this path.
Are you already practicing minimalism with your kids? Share your tough or happy moments with your kids when practicing it.
