Simple Families | Parenting + Minimalism

On the podcast today I am reading the first chapter of my new book, Simple Happy Parenting: The Secret of Less for Calmer Parents and Happier Kids. Show Notes/Links: * Preorder the book: Simple Happy Parenting* Grab your spot in The Masterclass

Simplifying parenthood may sound like a lofty goal. But in today’s episode, I am chatting with Nicole Smith, a mother who has made huge strides. Nicole is sharing her ‘Journey to Simplicity’ that has happened over the past few months. Nicole is a wife, mother of three children, and a former participant in the Simple Families: The Masterclass. She’s sharing her story about letting go of fear and watching her family flourish in simplicity. Show Notes/Links: * Simple Families: The Masterclass Nicole Smith Before and After of Nicole’s Kitchen: Nicole’s Kitchen Before the Masterclass Nicole’s Kitchen After (#1) Nicole Kitchen After (#2)

In today’s episode, Tsh Oxenreider is sharing more about her “Journey to Simplicity”. Tsh is a wife and mother of three who has been on the path towards a simpler, more intentional life for over a decade. Tsh is an author and the voice behind The Art of Simple and the podcast ‘Simple’. She’s sharing more about her story and reflections on simplicity and parenting as her children have grown. Show Notes/Links: * Last Child in The Woods by Richard Louv* Video of Adventure Parks* Get in touch with Tsh: Her Books, The Art of Simple, TshOxenreider.com, The Simple Show, and Instagram.

Overparenting is a phenomenon that happens for many parents who have the best of intentions. We want the best for our children and as a result, we want to do everything and be everything for them. This happens because we are fearful of not doing enough. We fear underparenting. This often spills over into discipline. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to dole out rewards and consequences for all the minor and major behavior infractions as children grow. But in today’s episode, I am explaining why we don’t need to fear underparenting. And in fact, often less is more.

In the age of social media, it’s impossible to avoid “the comparison game”. In this episode, I am chatting with my friend Erica Layne from The Life on Purpose Movement. We are exploring the tendency to compare our family to others and how the comparison game and emotional clutter has impacted us personally. SHOW NOTES/LINKS: * Erica’s Book: The Minimalist Way: Minimalism Strategies to Declutter Your Life and Make Room for Joy* Erica Website: The Life on Purpose Movement* Erica on Instagram: The Life on Purpose Movement* Erica on Facebook: The Life on Purpose Movement* How to Declutter Your Life and Make Room for Joy (which gives backstory on the book) * 10 Clutter Clearing Strategies that Will Gradually Make Your Life 100 Times Easier

Recent Family Photo (Au Pair Included) Since we brought our first au pair last summer I have received nearly constant questions about the experience. So today, I am sharing my thoughts on all types of childcare arrangements (including daycare, family care, nannies, nanny share, etc.) and how we came to our decision to use an au pair. In this episode, I’ll also speak more about my experience with the au pair program. What questions do you have? Show Notes/Links: * Cultural Care * Coupon code for free registration: PCREGWAIVER

Last week, we had a primer on the importance of outdoor play with Linda Åkeson McGurk. This week, I am re-airing an important follow up piece on the scientific perspective on this topic. In today’s episode, I speak with Carla Hannaford, world-renowned biologist and outdoor advocate, about her studies on the connection between movement and brain development. If you are brand new to learning about brain development, tune into Episode 92 for a simple, quick overview before diving into this one. The Mental UN-load is coming March 14th! The Mental Unload is launching next week! This program will lighten the load of parenthood, reserve your spot here.

Today I have one of the top Simple Families episodes! I am re-sharing my chat with Linda Åkeson McGurk about the importance of getting kids outside in all sorts of weather–even in the heart of winter. There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. Linda, a Swedish mother, joins us to talk about raising our kids to be more connected with nature. Linda’s book is one of my favorites–and her blog, Rain or Shine Mamma, is a worth-while resource as well. I hope you enjoy this episode!

The journey into motherhood isn’t easy for any woman. But after giving birth here in the U.S., there is societal pressure to return to a “normal life” almost overnight. In other cultures, this transition comes more gently. Women are given more time, more support, and more grace. In today’s episode I am chatting with my friend Lora Amigo. Lora is a Mexican woman raising her children in Chicago–far away from her support network. She shares her story of learning how to mother here in America and the pressure she felt in the process. We are talking about postpartum depression, helicopter parenting, and finding joy in returning to work.

As a parent raising children in the United States, I realize that I have a lot to learn from other cultures around the world. In today’s episode, I am exploring an international perspective with Indian mother Devishobha Chandramouli. Devishobha is raising her children in India, but is also involved and informed with Western parenting practices. In fact, she has even created an online conference to bring these perspectives together. Devishobha shares more about her experience merging the Eastern and Western worlds of parenting. She tells us about the expectations for kids to learn self-control, busyness, the influence of ancient mindfulness practices, co-sleeping, the postpartum experience, and much more. Despite her calm and gentle voice, Devishobha shares that even she is inclined to lose her cool with her kids sometime, because parenting in any part of the world comes with challenge. Show Notes/Show Links: * Conference Details: Kidskintha Online Summit * Kidskintha

Why is it that some kids turn into zombies in front of a screen? Then they get angry and act crazy when we turn it off? That’s what we are talking about in today’s episode. I’m going to be skimming the surface on some brain research and share how I use this to manage and understand the screen “zombies” in my own house. (Names in this episode were changed to protect privacy) SHOW NOTES/SHOW LINKS: * Beautiful Boy Movie Trailer* Beautiful Boy Book* Free Solo Movie Trailer* Alex Hannold Brain Analysis* Beautiful Boy Movie Trailer* Beautiful Boy Book* Free Solo Movie Trailer* Alex Hannold Brain Analysis* Neurodiversity* The Highly Sensitive Kid

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Amy Lang about sex. She’s sharing her best tips on how to talk to kids about sex, the human body, teaching consent, and the sexualization of childhood. This is a conversation that needs to be on the radar of all parents with young children. SHOW NOTES/LINKS: * Amy’s Podcast: Just Say This* Amy’s Website: Birds+Bees+Kids* Birds & Bees Made Easy Online Resource Center: Use coupon code SEXTALK for 50% off your first quarterly payment* Amy’s Book Recommendations* Amy’s Internet Monitoring Software Choice: Qustodio

The way that you parent will look very differently from that of your close friends and family members. Today I am answering a listener’s question. We are discussing how to manage these relationships when you have very different expectations for your own children. Show Notes/Links: * Cooperation: the Mini-Course (FREE)* Overview of Diana Baumrind’s Research on Parenting Styles* Denaye’s Simplifying Child Behavior Program* Episode 130: Letting Go of Unrealistic Expectations

In today’s episode I am chatting with professional organizer Rachel Rosenthal. If you are anything like me, you might struggle with complex organizational systems. Rachel is bringing her best tips to keep it simple and approachable–and maybe make 2019 your most organized year yet. Show Notes/Links: * Rachel’s Online Program (use the code NEW YEAR for 10% off)* Rachel’s Website* Rachel on FB + IG

If you’ve ever wanted to drink less alcohol, then you might want to tune into this episode. I’ve had a lot of questions about my 2019 resolution to give up alcohol–even though I wouldn’t classify myself as a heavy drinker. Today on the podcast I am sharing more about my “why” and some of the recent personal revelations I have had in the process. Show Notes/Links: * Episode 128 with Brooke Conley* How to Quit Overdrinking Podcast Series by Brooke Castillo* This Naked Mind by Annie Grace* Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol by Ann Dowsett Johnston