Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Faith Janes of Minimalist at Home.
As a mom, minimalism originally seemed an unobtainable goal. I thought minimalists either traveled the globe with a single backpack of belongings or had a home with a futon and a single vase on a table…if they even had a table. That kind of minimalism works for some people and I think that’s cool. That kind of freedom must be really empowering. But for me, I have these needy little people running around my house that make it abundantly clear that kind of minimalism isn’t coming to live at my house.
Can minimalism really be applied to a family with kids? Sometimes we jump to conclusions that talk us out of starting. Let’s start with what mommy minimalism doesn’t need to look like.
Mommy Minimalism is Not:
- Throwing out all the family photos
- Selling your television, your car, and your couch
- Owning just one pair of shoes and three interchangeable black outfits.
- Getting rid of all the toys in the house (even though we’ve all been tempted)
- Getting rid of all the children in the house (just kidding, but I’ve still been tempted a few times)
When I dove deeper into minimalism and saw the many different ways people were applying minimalism to their lives, I was greatly encouraged. I began to actually believe minimalism could work for me. As I started on my own journey towards minimalism my enthusiasm grew and everywhere I looked I saw where it was desperately needed.
Excess and the Need for Less
Since most of my friends are moms, I began to see the many areas of excess where minimalism could make a real difference:
- Toys spilling out of bedrooms and taking over living rooms.
- Drawers of kid clothes so packed that nothing else would fit.
- Kitchens full of plastic storage containers, useless gadgets, and extra items that never get touched.
- Schedules jam packed with sports and other extra curricular activities.
- Weekends filled with obligatory birthday parties from kids at school that you had to go to just because your kid was invited.
- Families that never seem to have any time spent together because they are all busy doing their own thing.
- Going into debt for Christmas presents that just end up shoved under a bed or in the next annual garage sale.
Many of these I saw in my own life and in our home. There is just so much excess everywhere – excess debt, excess possessions, and excess scheduling. It’s time for less! Minimalism doesn’t have to mean getting rid of everything. It is simply a tangible way of choosing the things that are important and getting rid of the rest.
What Can You Do Today?
If you are sitting there like I was wishing things could be different, then just ask yourself “What can I do today to get to where I want to be?” A mom can’t do everything by herself, but there is actually a lot that we can control and bring back some balance to the family.
- If you want fewer toys to pick up, walk over to the toy box and start going through those toys.
- If you want a cleaner, more organized kitchen, go throw away a few of the gadgets you haven’t touched in months.
- If you want a more cleaned out closet, get rid of the clothes you haven’t worn all season.
- If you want to get out of debt, cut up your credit cards and go sell something on eBay.
- If you want to make some family memories, cancel the plans for this weekend and spend it together as a family.
Each family is different and every journey is unique. Tap into your power as a mom and accomplish something great for your family today.
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Faith is a mom of three who hopes to inspire mothers to pursue “less mess and more time.” You can find her blog at Minimalist Moms or follow her on Twitter.
Laura says
Great post. I have two kids, ages 4 and 5, and they are already starting to understand that they don’t like having too much stuff. Now when they want a new toy (usually when we go to Goodwill or other resale shop) they know that we have to give one of their toys away when we get home to make room.
I have found that too many toys were just getting in the way of their enjoyment of the toys they really loved. They are much happier now to have the extra room to spread out and enjoy the special toys they do have.
Faith - Minimalist Moms says
Toys are a huge hurdle to overcome. That’s awesome that you’re already making great strides with such young kids.
jdp says
I enjoy your blog and enjoyed this guest post…so nice to find a new blog/site to follow.
And for anyone who is already beyond the minimalist “beginner” stage, might I also recommend the Minimalist Mommy Ninja
http://www.minimalistadventures.com/2010/10/13/radical-minimalism-motherhood/#comment-247
Who is currently a little fired up that halfway is no way.
Give her a little love, she’s got a lot of passion.
Dusti Arab says
Haha, thank you! Yeah, despite what the royal flaming I received yesterday, I wasn’t attacking you, Faith! I think this is a great guide for beginners, I simply felt it was missing a lot in regards to values associated with minimalism. Values and minimalism, granted, is an area I spend much time discussing. Good luck with everything.
Faith - Minimalist Moms says
That’s quite alright, Dusti. We all hold different values so our journey to minimalism may take a different road.
Susan says
Wonderful article! We are constantly purging around here it seems and it always feels good to share what we no longer need with others or to simply give it away to Goodwill. Stuff does not equal freedom and yet it seems that the secular society says, “buy more and you’ll be happier!”.
Love your take on this topic. :)
Clara says
Hi Faith,
Glad to see you posting here – I’ve been following your site! At first, I too didn’t understand how minimalism could work for me – I have only one daughter, who will be 2 in February, but she already has acquired *so*much*stuff* in her short time on earth! It’s hard to tell grandparents, for whom this is their first grandchild, to stop bringing over a new toy or a new item of clothing every visit, and I do not want to take away their joy of doting on their little princess. So, I have become more vigilant in cleaning out toys that she doesn’t play with or that are worn out, torn, or otherwise in bad shape (unusable for future kids). It’s a constant battle, and we still save a lot for the future since she’s our first — but I’m able to keep a better handle on it now. I understand why it’s important to simplify her stuff, and the stuff my husband and I own, and what a wonderful feeling it is to live with just enough, rather than too much. Plus, we’ve initiated the use of gift lists — stuff we all need, or really want, that I know will be loved and used. I have learned to be more intentional with any purchases I make and we are on our way to at least really knowing what we all own and why we own those things — so that we can eliminate anything that is unused and creating excess clutter. Thanks for the reminder that minimalism IS possible with kids — it’s all about gaining the tools to declutter our lives and homes in order to be able to focus on what is most important: family!
Pat says
This post is great. Really hit the nail on the head. My kids are grown, but that was our lifestyle, we lived the “life of excess”. Yuck, wish I knew then what I know now! I really applaud people for taking back their lives and families. At least now I can guide my “kids” in a different direction as they are older, to slow down and enjoy llife. Not to work hard for crap that nobody cares about in the end anyway.
Faith - Minimalist Moms says
Thanks, Pat. It’s never too late to learn to avoid pointless crap. :-)
Jess@minimalistmum says
Hi Faith of Minimalist Moms! From New Zealand, minimalistmum salutes you!
:-) Jess
Faith - Minimalist Moms says
Thanks, Jess :-)
Annabelle says
Love this post!!! Minimalism with small kids IS VERY POSSIBLE!!! We do it. We’ve been doing it since the kids were babies!!! My kids are now 6 and 7, and LOVE to volunteer at a local thrift store (one afternoon after school per week). If they are offered a ‘free’ toy for helping out, they say, “No thank you, I’m here to give, not get.” Our house is clean, our closets are NOT stuffed – clothes are minimal and easy to find an outfit/item to wear (fewer laundry loads); clean-up for the kids is a breeze (limited number of toys), they each get one sport per school semester to do, plus homeschooled music lessons and Sunday a.m. church. We travel very light (husband backpack, kids share a small bag, and my small bag on wheels). We entertain and have friends over ALL THE TIME and the kids use their imaginations and play play play! Holidays/birthdays are simple, yet fun. This year the kids made their own birthday cakes, then decorated them! We had a blast! These are just a few examples! Minimalism is SOOOO wonderful!
Faith - Minimalist Moms says
That’s really awesome, Annabelle! Thank you so much for sharing that. That is so encouraging!!
Dusti Arab says
I think I may be the only one who didn’t like this post. Read why Wednesday at my blog.
Melissa Gorzelanczyk says
Hi Faith – My favorite part of this post was the list of “nots.” I laughed, so thank you!
Your tips are helpful without being too hard. Nice work. I’ll be sure to check out your blog next.
xoxo
Melissa
Newlyweds on a Budget says
I completely agree with this. We just moved into a smaller place and have hardly any storage area. My rule? If we haven’t used it in the past 6 months, you probably won’t miss it and it goes in the garage sale pile. We’ve already gotten rid of 4 boxes worth of stuff. I’m actually happier with less “things” and we have more money to actually “do” things.
Faith - Minimalist Moms says
The six month rule is a great standard for getting rid of things. It sure feels good to be free of stuff, doesn’t it?