Simple Families | Parenting + Minimalism

In today’s episode I am chatting with Erin Loechner. Erin is an author, blogger, designer, and mother of two. She shares her journey towards simple living along with her best tips for making slower New Year’s Resolutions–including arm circles, waking up before the kids, and finding your own definition of self-care. Show Notes/Links: * Find Erin on Instagram* Design for Mankind (Erin’s website)* Chasing Slow (Erin’s book). Erin Loechner

Independent play doesn’t come easily to all children. In today’s episode we are discussing what to expect from independent play as well as how to support our children to do it more often. When it comes to independent play, it’s important that we do three things: gauge our expectations as parents; assess the individual personality types of our children; and set them up for success. Show Notes/Links: * Visual Timer* Story Starters

About 95% of everything I put on the internet is real life, not staged. The other 5% includes things like the photo in this post, because I generally don’t frolic in fields in pretty dresses. Today I am answering a question from a reader about how much of what I share with you is representative of my real life: my home, my parenting, and the activities I do with my children.

I don’t know about you–but my kids have the tendency to move slowly. They function on their own timeline. The result is that as parents, we often find ourselves “hurrying” them to speed up and get on our agenda. In today’s episode I am chatting with Janet Lansbury about hurrying our kids through their days and through their lives. Show Notes/Links: * Simple Families: The Masterclass (30% off this week!) * Janet’s Website/Blog * Janet’s Podcast: Unruffled * Janet’s Books: No Bad Kids + Elevating Child Care * Book mentioned: The Hurried Child by David Elkind

Taking the road less traveled is not always simple. During the holiday season the list of obligations grow rapidly and saying “no” can seem out of reach. Today I am chatting with Rachel Rainbolt from Sage Parenting. Rachel and I are talking about the idea of “doing life differently”. Many of us are raising our own families in ways that are different from the way that we ourselves were raised–and it can lead to conflict. Show Notes/Links: * More on parenting approaches: Authoritarian vs. Authoritative * “Discomfort is the price of admission for a meaningful life” -Susan David * Rachel’s Website: Sage Parenting * Rachel on Instagram * Rachel’s Podcast: Sage Family

Buying new toys for our children can be exciting–but it can also be overwhelming. There are so many options out there and our children are inundated with marketing materials. Today I am chatting with Lizzie Assa from the Workspace for Children. She and her family buy toys outside of the mainstream options–that means they lean towards simple, open-ended toys made of more natural, non-plastic materials. We are chatting about buying toys that are durable and will hold the interest of children across different ages, genders, and interests. Show Links: Lizzie’s Instagram: The Workspace For Children Lizzie’s Toy Guide Website Simple Families Holiday Guide

We all believe that the holiday season is the happiest time of the year. But is it really? Today I am chatting with Happiness Guru Gretchen Rubin about finding happiness in the holiday season. You may know Gretchen from one of her New York Times bestselling books, her top ranked podcast, or perhaps most importantly her legendary quote, “The days are long, but the years are short”. In our conversation today Gretchen and I are talking about seeking happiness in the midst of a complex season of expectations, that includes: balancing how we spend our time, gift giving, traveling to visit family/friends, managing “toxic” relationships, and staying connected to the people we love the most. Show Links from Gretchen: * The Days are Long But the Years are Short Video Sign up for Gretchen’s newsletters The Four Tendencies quiz Gretchen’s site Listen to the podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin The books: The Four Tendencies—New York Times bestseller The Happiness Project—#1 New York Times bestseller Follow her on social media: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook

Welcome back to Part II of the Holiday Q&A (If you missed Part I, catch it here!). Rachelle Crawford from Abundant Life with Less and Zoë Kim from Raising Simple are joining me to answer the rest of your holiday questions. Today we will chat about minimal decorating, envy amongst children, simple holiday meals, and more. We will bring examples from our own lives and little bits of wisdom that I hope will carry you through the season.

The holidays are upon us. I am here to tell you that you don’t need to do or buy all.the.things. Today is the first of a two-part series focused on answering your questions about living a more intentional holiday season. I am joined by Rachelle Crawford from Abundant Life with Less and Zoë Kim from Raising Simple. Together we are moving through your questions and bringing examples from our own lives and small pieces of wisdom to take forth into the holiday season. Cheers! Show Notes/Links * Shutterfly Calendar * National Geographic Little Kids * The Other Question to Ask Kids this Holiday Season * The Spirit Post * Ann Voskamp, Underwrapping the Greatest Gifts * Compassion International * Preschool Fudge Recipe

Dare I say that developing a gratitude practice is actually easy? I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly small acts of gratitude have changed my life. In today’s interview I am chatting with mother and gratitude expert Josie Robinson about her unlikely, yet transformative journey. LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES Show Links/Notes: The Gratitude Jar book Give Thanks Gratitude Journal Josie’s Site Facebook page Instagram Pinterest

Starting in the early days of pregnancy we set expectations for ourselves. Perhaps your kids won’t have screen time. You will breastfeed for one year or more. Your kids will only eat organic. In today’s episode Natalie Telyatnikov [from Better Postpartum] and I are sharing some of the unrealistic expectations of which we have let go and how we are taking better care of ourselves as a result. SUBSCRIBE AND LISTEN ON ITUNES Show Notes/Links * Visit Better Postpartum * Follow Natalie on Instagram * Learn more about the Better Postpartum Course

Most of us feel like there’s no way we could add one more thing to our plate. But the truth is that starting a side-hustle (or part-time passion-driven work) can actually be a form of self-care. I know that for me, working helps to fill up my cup so I can be more calm and present in the time that I am with my kids. Today I am chatting with Meghan Fitzgerald, the founder of Tinkergarten. Meghan and I are chatting about balancing work with motherhood + the value of adding a side-hustle. Show Notes/Links Reference to Episode 125 with Rahima Dancy Become a Tinkergarten Leader – bit.ly/tg-become-a-leader Find a Tinkergarten class near you – bit.ly/tg-view-classes Facebook: facebook.com/tinkergarten Instagram: Tinkergarten Twitter: @tinkergarten Site: tinkergarten.com

Sometimes there is so much to be done that we find ourselves needing coffee to wake up in the morning and wine to take the edge off and calm down in the evening. In today’s episode I am talking with Brooke Conley about alcohol + motherhood. If you have ever thought about cutting back on alcohol or felt like you wanted to give it up–tune in as Brooke and I talk more about our relationships with alcohol. Show Links/Notes Stay in touch with Brooke and see her recommended resources: Her website Instagram Online * Hip Sobriety * Laura McKowen Books * This Naked Mind — Annie Grace * Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol — Ann Dowsett Johnston * Drinking: A Love Story — Caroline Knapp Podcast on overdrinking that Denaye mentioned (books contain affiliate links)

Today on the podcast I am sharing a Q&A episode. That means I am taking your questions and giving you my honest, unfiltered answers. In this episode we are talking about how many gifts to give, how to manage sibling squabbles, minimalism in different regions, and mealtime struggles.

As parents, we just want to give our kids the best. We want to give them opportunities and send them to the best colleges. Sometimes that means signing them up for all the classes and starting the resumé in the earliest years. In today’s episode I am chatting with author Bill Deresiewicz. We are discussing the disconnection between the pursuit of success and happiness. Show Notes/Links: * The Book: Excellent Sheep * Revisiting the Value of Elite Colleges * How to Raise an Adult * How to Raise Successful Kids Without Overparenting [Ted Talks]