In our world of pressure to try to do and be everything, I find I am spending more and more effort trying to simplify. Sounds like an oxymoron, and I think it is – but putting the initial effort in, leads to quality free time in the end. Here are 5 ways we have simplified:
- Reduce the number of present expecting events. We dropped out of the race to have each child’s birthday more and more Pinterest-dly extravagant each year. Every child has a party with immediate family, and several, but not all, have a friend party. But I don’t compete with other parents to have the best party. We have a small party aligned with our child’s interest.
- Keep Christmas reasonable. Our’s has been three presents per kid, plus one Santa present. But again, we do not compete with others. It is confusing to our kids when others get a T.V., computer, and game system from Santa, and mine get a guitar…..but I explain that Santa only brings what he knows parents will approve of.
- Create a reasonable sports activity plan for your kids. Last year our lives were too busy to have all five of the younger kids in soccer. So they weren’t. My guilt was somewhat overwhelming, but then I realized there was something magical about having an evening or two that you aren’t rushing off to something. We had more time to just be. And talk. And catch up on homework/bills/cleaning. They are still in sports, but I don’t have the same obsession with filling every season.
- Purge regularly. ….I am not great at this. I am a hoarder at heart from a long line of hoarders on both sides of my family. Each hoarder is balanced by a thrower-outer (Marty is a thrower-outer). But, I have learned to thin out clothes at season changes, give away toys at least quarterly, only keep school projects that are truly memorable, and handle bills as they come in. Simplified, but not overwhelming to me.
- Have the whole family participate in Saturday or Sunday cleaning and clothes prep, and start the week strong and confident. We try and keep a chore schedule during the week but honestly, by Friday my house needs work. At least the weeks start out clean and organized.