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Simplistic Parenting Tips

by Jenna Hatfield Leave a Comment

Choosing to live a minimalist parenting lifestyle may feel impossible at times. Everywhere you turn, people and brands tell you that you need more of this, more of that—more, more, more. Is it possible to provide what your baby needs while still living out your simplistic parenting dreams?

Yes. 

It requires a little extra research, a lot of organization, and some willingness to try again when you find that something doesn’t work for you, your baby, or your family. More over, being yourself will also help you navigate your way through your parenting journey. We’ve put together some tips for each of those concepts to help you attain the minimalist family life you desire.

A Little Extra Research

The maximalist version of a baby registry involves walking through a store and scanning things to your heart’s content. Or, the pandemic version might involve clicking all the boxes on every website. When you’re wanting to live that simplistic parenting lifestyle, you need to slow down and do your research. As an example, a thorough look into the different strollers available will allow you to make one purchase instead of buying two or three for different travel needs or ages and stages.

Photo by José Jóvena on Unsplash

Using sites like Gugu Guru can help you decide which gear you need and which items might better serve another family. The Gugu Guide video reviews can really help you make those decisions as they offer real experiences from real parents. From that point, you can make some lists (pros and cons, items for each room, or a total inventory of what you think will work for you) before you create your registry or start purchasing items on your own. 

Need a little more one-on-one guidance? You can also work with one of our product experts, who will best help you simplify decisions on strollers, car seats, and feeding necessities.

A Lot of Organization

One key component of living a simplistic parenting experience is organization. Minimalist parenting isn’t about your child having one toy and one toy only. Instead, the focus is on having age-appropriate toys which can be put away with ease. Baskets, bins, and other containers in which you can store toys will pay out in dividends when it comes to the peace a clean room brings you each evening. 

Photo by Laurence Katz on Unsplash

When everything has a place, your ability to be present and available in the moment with your child will feel just right. Likewise, organizing your time is part of simplistic parenting. Creating a plan to stay organized in the space you have will also benefit the entire family. A list of chores that must be done by the adults in the home will keep everything running smoothly. Include both daily tasks like dishes and cleaning up the general daily clutter as well as the weekly and monthly tasks like trash, recycling, laundry, and grocery shopping. 

Try, Try Again

Even with the most thorough research and a perfectly organized plan, some things won’t work for you, your baby, or your household. It could be something as simple as the fact that your baby does not enjoy strollers and prefers to cuddle close to you in a baby carrier. It could also be a bit more complex, like your organizational bins just don’t work well with the toys you’ve chosen or your task schedule stops working when your baby’s nap schedule changes. Whatever the case, the point is to try and try again. You can find what works best for your family by making small adjustments.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Additionally, your baby is going to grow and change. Yes, their nap and feeding schedule will change. They will outgrow their initial toys as they hit milestones. You will learn to adapt to their changes, changing right along with them at each and every stage. When something doesn’t align with your simplistic parenting point of view and their new phase, try something else. You can and will find something that works for you. 

Be Yourself

There’s no one right way to a parent. You can read all of the guidebooks and blog posts. You can research all of the newest gear. Your home can look like something straight out of a minimalist magazine. But if you’re not being true to yourself, it won’t feel right. Take all of the advice, both from friends and family as well as from the internet, with a grain of salt. If something doesn’t work for you, it’s not a bad thing. Simply refer back to “try, try again” and find what works for you.

Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash

You should never feel like a bad parent because one item in your simplistic parenting toolbox worked for everyone else—except you. You and your baby are unique. The goal is not to be the most perfect minimalist style parent. The goal is for you and your baby to be both healthy and happy. By being yourself and finding what works best for you, you are setting an excellent example for your child to follow as they grow. 


Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: minimal, parenting

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Teaching Littles About Diversity

by Jenna Hatfield Leave a Comment

While we live in a very diverse world, teaching our children about diversity can feel daunting. How do you even begin to explain differences in skin, race, ability, family, and more? And should you? (Spoiler alert: You should!) Our differences are what make us human. By exposing your child to diversity — both in concept and in person — you will be raising children who embrace those differences rather than turn away from them in their adult life. 

Read Diverse Books

The easiest way to expose your child to diversity is through books. This is especially handy if you live in an area that lacks in overall diversity. By reading a wide and varied library to your toddler, you can show them that people and families may look different but are all valued. Be sure to include books that feature children who don’t look like your child as the main character. 

Some great suggestions include:

  1. Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers — not only does this book depict a wide range of diverse people, it also includes a variety of ways to become a family, including adoption, single parents, LGBT families, and even grandparents raising children. 
  2. Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer — The colorful illustrations and simple message of this book make it a great early pick for introducing the concepts of diversity and kindness. 
  3. All Kids Are Good Kids by Judy Carey Nevin — This book reinforces the concept that while we may all be different, we’re all good. 
  4. Girls Like Me by Valerie Thompkins — Not only does this book center a diverse main character, but the message of the book introduces our youngest readers to a variety of careers they can choose. It’s a great conversation starter in many regards. This book has paper pages.
Diverse Books for Toddlers

Encourage Curiosity and Critical Thinking

Children notice differences in people. Toddlers especially haven’t yet been conditioned to filter their thoughts, observations, or questions in public. They may ask questions that make you feel uncomfortable. Examples include questions about skin color, disabilities, or family makeup. Instead of shushing your curious toddler and making them feel like the subject is taboo, encourage curiosity by responding positively. Follow up with questions to continue the conversation.

As an example, your child might ask why someone is in a wheelchair. Follow up with a question about how your toddler moves through the room. Ask them what they think a wheelchair might help that individual accomplish. Point out your eyeglasses and ask if they can think of anything else that might help someone through their day. Asking more questions and connecting topics to ones they might already understand expands their critical thinking skills. Allow for recognition and discussion of differences without making it feel like your child is wrong for wanting to know more. Becoming comfortable yourself talking about these topics will help your child become more comfortable as well.

Embody Kindness

Your toddler will soak up not just every word you say but every action you do. If you tell your child that people with differences are just as good as we are, but you speak or act unkindly toward someone who appears differently, they’ll recognize the dissonance even at a young age. Practicing kindness at the grocery store, daycare drop-off line, and at playgroup will encourage your child to do the same. 

Expose Them to Diversity

Again, if you live in an area where diversity is lacking, the onus will be on you to step out of your comfort zone. Do you live within driving distance of an area that does offer a more diverse population? Can you go there every so often to shop, eat lunch, or play at a different playground? Additionally, can you attend a library class there? Or even mommy and me music class in that location rather than in your hometown? Exposure to the arts via age-appropriate live theater and dance is another way to welcome diverse people into your life. But it starts with you actively seeking out ways to incorporate diversity into your lives. 


Filed Under: Toddlers Tagged With: books, parenting, toddler

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