Observe Your Child

So how do you approach minimalism with your children? Nervous? You don't have to be. The easiest way to figure out what you can minimize, declutter, organize and systemize is to OBSERVE. Something you probably already do all.the.time.

Teaching a child to let go gracefully and have a good relationship with their possessions is a learned skill that many young ones need help (maybe A LOT) with. By observing what they gravitate towards as you declutter, (their favorite types of toys, most-loved characters and things they go to frequently) you can do your best to avoid upset and hurt feelings. The goal is to avoid making them feel like you’re taking away, they’re “in trouble”, or you’re trying to get rid of their favorite things.

---

When you gently guide them to "give up" what isn't as important to them, you are laying a solid foundation for learning how to let go - an important skill in minimalism, but also in life itself. You're also working as a team and preventing (as best you can!) upset at the root cause - unintentionally taking away or asking them to donate things they actually love and enjoy.

If your children are young enough to be blissfully unaware, you can use your discretion to sell/swap/donate if you choose. If they are starting to get a bit older (or you're starting on a minimalish journey when they are older!), say around 2.5 - 3+, walk them through the process with you.

Don't think you won't have any pushback - kids LOVE their stuff. But, you can help them through with a few techniques to help calm the chaos.

Anything you’re struggling with as you try to incorporate minimalism with your children?