Minimalism is a lifestyle that focuses on living with less clutter, less stress and more intention. It’s about keeping only what you need, use and love, and letting go of everything else. Minimalism can help you create more space, time and freedom in your life, as well as save money, reduce waste and protect the environment.

But what if you have kids? Can you still be a minimalist when you have little ones who seem to accumulate toys, clothes and stuff faster than you can say “no”? Is it fair to impose your minimalist values on your children who may not share them? How do you balance your desire for simplicity with your kids’ needs and wants?

The answer is yes, you can be a minimalist when you have kids. In fact, minimalism can benefit your kids in many ways, such as:

Teaching them to appreciate quality over quantity
Encouraging them to be creative and resourceful
Helping them to develop gratitude and generosity
Reducing their exposure to toxins and allergens
Giving them more room to play and explore
Fostering their sense of responsibility and independence
Improving their focus and concentration
Enhancing their emotional well-being

Minimalism with kids is entirely possible. However, it does require a little more effort, a little more thoughtfulness and a lot more patience. As you embark (or continue) on the journey, here are some practical steps to consider:

1. Start with yourself

Before you try to get your kids on board with minimalism, you need to start with yourself. You need to see the value of minimalism for yourself and adopt the habits that support it. You need to declutter your own belongings, organize your own space and simplify your own schedule. You need to model the behavior that you want your kids to follow.

Kids are very observant, and they learn by example. If they see you living with less clutter, less stress, and more intention, they will be more likely to do the same. If they see you enjoying the benefits of minimalism, they will be more curious and open-minded about it. If they see you respecting their choices and preferences, they will be more cooperative and respectful of yours.

2. Involve your kids

Once you have established a minimalist foundation for yourself, you can start involving your kids in the process. You can invite them to join you in decluttering, organizing, and simplifying their own belongings, space, and activities. You can explain to them the benefits of minimalism in a way that they can understand and relate to. You can also listen to their opinions and concerns and address them accordingly.

The key word here is “involve”. Don’t force your kids to get rid of their stuff or impose your rules on them. Instead, involve them in the decision-making process and let them have some control over what they keep and what they let go of. This will help them feel more empowered and motivated to embrace minimalism.

Some tips for involving your kids are:

Start small: Don’t overwhelm your kids with a huge decluttering project. Start with one category or one area at a time, such as books or toys, or clothes.
Make it fun: Don’t make decluttering a chore or a punishment. Make it fun by playing games, listening to music, or rewarding them with something they enjoy.
Be supportive: Don’t criticize or judge your kids for their choices or attachment to their stuff. Be supportive by acknowledging their feelings, offering guidance, and praising their efforts.

3. Prioritize activities over things

One of the main principles of minimalism is to prioritize experiences over possessions. This means spending less money on buying things and more time on doing things that matter to you. This principle applies not only to yourself but also to your kids.

Instead of buying your kids more toys, clothes, or gadgets that they don’t need or use, invest in activities that enrich their lives, such as:

Family outings: Go for a picnic, a hike, or a bike ride together.
Educational trips: Visit a museum, a zoo, or a library together.
Creative projects: Make art, crafts, or music together.
Volunteering: Help out at a local charity, animal shelter, or community center together.

These activities will not only save you money and space but also create lasting memories and bonds with your kids. They will also teach your kids valuable skills and values, such as curiosity, creativity, compassion, and generosity.

4. Declutter once a month

Decluttering is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. As your kids grow and change, so will their needs and wants. That’s why it’s important to declutter regularly and keep up with the changes.

A good rule of thumb is to declutter once a month. This will help you prevent clutter from building up and becoming overwhelming. It will also help you maintain a minimalist lifestyle and mindset.

Some tips for decluttering once a month are:

Schedule it: Set a date and time for your monthly decluttering session and stick to it. You can also involve your kids and make it a family activity.
Sort it: Use the four-box method to sort your items into four categories: keep, donate, sell, or trash. Keep only what you need, use, and love. Donate, sell, or trash the rest.
Store it: Use bins, baskets, boxes, or drawers to store your items neatly and efficiently. Label them clearly and place them in accessible locations.

5. Designate areas for stuff

Another way to keep clutter at bay is to designate specific areas for your kids’ stuff. This means assigning a place for everything and keeping everything in its place. This will help you create order and structure in your home and make it easier to find what you need.

Some tips for designating areas for stuff are:

Use zones: Divide your home into zones based on function, such as living, sleeping, working, playing, etc. Keep the items that belong to each zone in that zone only.
Use limits: Set limits on how much stuff you allow in each zone or area. For example, you can limit the number of toys in the living room or the number of books in the bedroom.
Use rules: Establish rules on how to use and put away the stuff in each zone or area. For example, you can require your kids to clean up their toys after playing or to return their books to the shelf after reading.

6. Embrace capsule wardrobes

A capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothes that are versatile, functional, and coordinated. It allows you to create multiple outfits with fewer pieces and save time, money and space. A capsule wardrobe can be a great way to simplify your kids’ clothing and make getting dressed easier and more fun.

Some tips for embracing capsule wardrobes are:

Choose quality over quantity: Choose clothes that are durable, comfortable, and easy to care for. Avoid clothes that are cheap, trendy, or fussy.
Choose neutrals over colors: Choose clothes that are mostly neutral in color, such as black, white, gray, or navy. Add some pops of color with accessories, such as hats, scarves, or shoes.
Choose basics over extras: Choose clothes that are mostly basic in style, such as jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, or dresses. Add some extras with patterns, prints, or textures.

7. What to do with all the school artwork

One of the biggest challenges of minimalism with kids is dealing with all the school artwork that they bring home. While you may want to keep some of it as a souvenir or a display of their creativity, you may not have enough space or desire to keep all of it.

Some tips for dealing with school artwork are:

Display it: Choose a few pieces of artwork that you love and display them proudly in your home. You can use frames, cork boards, or magnets to showcase them.
Digitize it: Take photos or scan the artwork that you don’t want to keep physically and store them digitally. You can use apps like Artkive or Keepy to organize them by child, date, or grade.
Donate it: Give away the artwork that you don’t want to keep or digitize to someone who might appreciate it more. You can donate it to relatives, friends, or charities.

Conclusion

Minimalism with kids is not only possible but also beneficial for both parents and children. By following these steps, you can declutter your home and simplify your life while raising happy and healthy kids who value quality over quantity. Remember to start with yourself, involve your kids, prioritize activities over things, declutter once a month, designate areas for stuff, embrace capsule wardrobes, and deal with school artwork. Happy minimalism!

How to Be a Minimalist When You Have Kids