Ever since Marie Kondo’s Spark Joy boomed in popularity back in 2016, almost everyone has tried their hand at being a ‘minimalist’.
From winnowing their belongings to investing in storage solutions, many people have truly come to embrace the value of living more with less.
But while Kondo’s philosophy revolved mainly around decluttering and organisation, the art of minimalism can be applied across various areas of one’s life.
Not just in interior designing or home improvement.
And it’s not just about having less, but about doing less, as well.
For parents, the principles of minimalism doesn’t just have to begin and end with keeping things neat and tidy.
There are ways to ‘spark joy’ in how you manage your kids and how you manage your parental duties as well. Here’s how to minimalist parenting.
6 Ways to Practice Minimalist Parenting
Minimise Distractions, Maximise Value
People often think about ‘reducing’ when they think about the word minimise.
But go at it from a different angle.
You’re not minimising opportunity, you’re maximising potential.
By cutting out distractions, non-essentials and obstacles, you clear the way for more growth and space.
We see many parents who saturate their kids’ schedules with piano classes, taekwondo lessons, football practice, etc.
Don’t forget, those classes and clubs require not only annual/monthly fees but also gear, uniforms and often also expensive equipment that will again clutter the house.
While this rarely happens in Malaysia, there are still ways that you can clutter your family’s time. Doing too much for so little reward.
For instance, instead of tuition, consider guiding your children yourself at home.
Instead of signing up for afternoon sports practice, play tag with your kids in the park after school.
Parenting doesn’t have to be extravagant and excessive. As long as you’re spending stress-free quality time with your family.
Avoid the Comparison Trap
Comparison is the thief of joy.
We’re constantly scrolling through social media. Seeing post after post of heavily doctored images of neat living rooms, well-behaved children and pristine white kitchens.
But that’s not real life, it’s just aesthetic.
Influencers trying to peddle something you don’t really need that will only cost you more money.
And you may be tempted to jump on the bandwagon. This is called fear of missing out or FOMO.
A sensation where you feel like you may be letting an opportunity pass you by if you don’t participate.
So, don’t follow the crowd just because you may feel left out.
Trust in your own ability to educate, raise and nurture your child.
Make peace with imperfection, focus on creating memories, not on maintaining pretenses.
Trust in Science
Scientific research pretty much narrows down any information overload you may be experiencing.
You can always trust expert opinion over some random blog that posts clickbait-y articles just for shock value.
For example, the CDC website has a lot useful, updated information on the latest scientific breakthroughs and information that every parent could need.
And it’s not just about things related to medication, nutrition, supplements; but also about discipline and mental health.
This prevents you from turning to old wives tales, superstitions and anecdotal remedies that just don’t work.
So, just stick to one reliable website that you trust and avoid going to multiple sources.
If the article has been medically-reviewed by a board-certified physician, you’re already in good hands.
Don’t Waste Your Money
There’s always a new book, new toy, or new product claiming to put all your parenting worries to rest.
There’s nothing wrong with trying one or two if you’re really interested and if you actually need them.
But some parents might be a little too generous with their online shopping and this can be a problem.
The habit of spending money on parenting tools can lead to an actual cluttering problem.
So, only invest in things that can actually add value to your life.
And don’t be too proud of accepting hand-me-downs or shopping pre-loved items.
One thing you can spend money on are children’s books, but even then you can always upcycle your own, if needed. Chances are your parents may have kept a few.
Walk the Path of Least Resistance
This sounds like lazy advice, but it’s one that will save you a lot of hassle.
Perfectionists often suffer from analysis paralysis, where the abundance of options actually end up being too overwhelming.
In these cases, just choose the easiest option.
Want to choose a school? Pick the one closest to your home.
Want to choose the right kind of milk? Buy the cheapest one.
Have a long grocery or to-do list? Scratch off what you don’t really need.
Got a million things to do and no time to do them? Postpone some to a later date.
This can be really hard if you have a lot of responsibilities and expectations.
Don’t be afraid to cut corners either, within reason.
There is a constant pressure on parents to give their kids the best of the best.
But sometimes the best thing you can give your kids is your time, attention and love.
Not more toys and definitely not more after-school activities to keep them busy.
Follow Through till the End
There are hundreds of different parenting techniques: gentle parenting, positive parenting, mindful parenting, etc.
All the ‘new age’ methods and tricks marketed to raise well-adjusted, well-rounded, self-regulating children.
And there’s nothing wrong with these techniques.
Many of them are science-backed and can offer a wealth of benefits for your kids.
But just stick to one.
Don’t buy book after book, sporadically jumping from one technique to another just because it’s newer or more trendy.
Find the best out of all the available choices and see that through till the end (or until it stops working). Chances are there is little to no difference between these modern parenting methods.
Give it a few months before you switch to the newest parenting trend, if at all.
Sparking Joy with Less Effort
There are many ways to winnow down your responsibilities, your choices and your effort.
All you have to do is go back to your core values. And ask yourself if this will truly benefit the family.
Don’t surround your home with meaningless objects that bring neither happiness nor satisfaction.
These tips don’t just end with your parental duties either.
It also applies to your career, your marriage and your personal goals.
The point of minimalism is not only to save time and resources, but also to free up space for the things that add meaning to your life.
When it comes to parenting, this minimalistic mindset translates to more time with your family. More time to strengthen your relationship with your kids and your spouse.
And definitely more time to do the things you love to do, without worrying about the next thing on your list.
You’ve got this, parents!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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