A Beginner's Guide to Simplicity Parenting with Kim John Payne

What is simplicity parenting? The term “simplicity parenting” became popular after Kim John Payne published his Simplicity Parenting book. In this book, he offers simple, organized, and practical pathways to simplify your home life.

In other words, Kim John Payne guides his readers toward simple parenting, which ultimately reduces stress in the family.

So, the result? More connection, creativity, and calm.

Why Simplicity Parenting?

Every day I imagine a life with less.

Like most of us, I am a busy person, often over stimulated by the things and people in my environment and rarely give my family and myself the luxury of slowing down. Maybe that is why I am the exact person who should be writing this post: Simplifying my family’s life is something I work on every single day.

I read a lot about it.

I think a lot about it.

The thing is changing behavior takes time and practice.

12+ Ideas for Simple Parenting

Learn to Say No

I read a phrase recently that sums this one up: “Dial back the schedules allowing for time and connection with your child.”

I over-commit and over-schedule our life. I am getting much better at it but prepared to feel a bit lonely and isolated at first; at least, that has been my experience. This transition takes time.

Purge

By far one of my favorites! We’ve moved twice in the last year, and I was thrilled to purge, purge, purge. Not easy to do but believe me when I say: “you will not think about those ‘things’ you give away, consign, or (gasp!) toss into the garbage.”

Start with the “things” that actually make you unhappy. You don’t like looking at them, or they are broken, for example. This post about decluttering toys might help you!

Rotate

Once you’ve purged all those things that make you unhappy and your home cluttered, when it comes to your children’s toys: rotate, rotate, rotate. You and your children will be much better at it, I promise.

De-clutter by way of Stimulation

Removing the “things” from your environment is the perfect first step but go beyond that step. Think about how you can decrease the stimulation in your life by changing the lighting and the sounds of your home.

Maybe the television can be hidden or in a different place to avoid being the center of the home, for example.

Find Balance

Whether in spirituality, nature, exercise, or whatever way you personally find balance

Be Proactive

Think about tomorrow the night before. Do the things you need to do to make your morning and your day go a bit smoother. For me, that means I always make sure to load the dishwasher and run it, for example.

I always put at least one load of laundry through the washer and dryer. I also lay my boys’ clothing out and prepare our bags if we’re going out with snacks, clothing, etc.

Practice Positive Discipline

Ever get tired of saying “No”? I have days when I feel so negative from being so negative with my boys disciplining them all day long. I feel drained, and I am unhappy.

Positive discipline has changed our family’s life. Instead of “No, you can’t have a cookie,” try saying, “Yes, you may have a cookie after dinner.” Or “If you would like to climb, let’s go outside or find a safer place.”

Or “Wow, you really want to jump and move your body. That is great, but please do it on the ground. The couch is meant for sitting and being still.”

Read Simplicity Parenting

Step Away from the Devices

I have a tough time with this one. When I make it happen, though, I see a fundamental transformation.

Find Alternatives to Time Outs

These moments are opportunities for your child to learn and to know that he is supported by the people who are the center of his world: his parents. Giving a “break” to take some deep breaths is a great idea.

Shutting a child down when he is most amped up can lead to a lot of confusion for the child. He isn’t contemplating his actions during a time-out; he is wondering if his parents love him.