i just read this post from simple mom and thought i would share it.
i love the whole idea of simplifying your lifestyle, because it really does help and you and your children see the things that you have with more value. additionally, you're not being wasteful with excess stuff. you're not fostering (or nurturing) the whole consumerist mindset to your children. and you're teaching them to be good stewards of the world they live in.
i like the 9 tips shared on the post. in regards to the kids and "stuff," we try to minimize the amount of toys, gadgets, knick-knacks, etc. as best we can. i found that the less stuff they have around, the more they actually use them. and i've also noticed (mostly with emma) that the few items they have are used in many different ways. the simpler the toy, the more versatile it is. for example, a yard stick (we got free at a fair) is used as a sword, a broom, and a vacuum cleaner.
since we have taken this "minimal" approach to emma's stuff for a while, i am thankful that she is very accepting (and not attached to any of it...except for her blankie) when we decide to purge some of her toys. she seems truly satisfied with what she has, and doesn't seem to be attracted to all the "fancy" toys at the store when we go out (the only thing she really wants is the chocolate milk or the slushy at target).
we are hoping we can continue to model a simpler way of life so that our kids will learn to appreciate the things that they have and take care of the earth (with all of its resources) that God has provided them with.
3 comments:
I love this post. (Now if only I can beat it into my family's head).
I have a 4-year-old daughter who has an impressive imagination. She can play for extended periods of time without anything but her fingers as little people or animals.
She loves to learn and explore and is quite low maintenance. One thing I love about her is that she likes to eat whole foods (tomatoes straight from the garden, whole carrots, green super-food juice that looks like swamp water) and nature.
She has a set of real tools and likes to build and fix things. She informed my husband and I that she wants to build a real "owner's house" with her tools. She sometimes refers to adults as owners. My husband and I also believe strongly in teaching our daughter to live simply, make good choices, and have good character.
Take care! :)
Oooh, I remember one little girl oh so many many years ago who stomped and screamed, making a scene in public because Mommy wouldn't buy the big stuffed animal that she wanted ;) ~Mom~
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