Minimalism with kids - How to be minimalist with a family

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thanks for watching! Does your family practice minimalism?

[@amychen2504]

My best tip is to have grandparents keep gifts at their house if they live nearby so that the kids have a fun alternative place to play with different things that they can look forward to using. And then those extra toys aren't in your home... so you don't need to negotiate with the family about what they buy like if it was coming into your space!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Oh that is a REALLY good idea! Love it! ❤️

[@TB-ck1jr]

*dumbfounded stare*...... GAMECHANGER My in laws buy SO much stuff for our kids. The pandemic was the worst. Our daughter has an autoinflammatory condition, so we isolated pretty hard. My MIL would bring a tall kitchen bag full of toys for each kid EVERY WEEK.

[@TB-ck1jr]

It's also been a pain because they never coordinate with us on holidays or birthdays, so any time one of the kids mentions wanting something, they just go get it. Then there's nothing left for us to get our own kids.

[@ERICA850]

That is brilliant!! The worst guilt is getting rid of toys that grandparents bought and they come over looking for them.

[@ERICA850]

@@TB-ck1jr that's crazy that's so many toys. I bet it'll be overwhelming for her too

[@wanderinghome9979]

The Dot Method is a super idea! I wish I had thought of that in years past. Also, I’ve found for my messy easy going kids that often just taking the time to work with them to improve the efficiency of their space is enough to motivate them. After seeing all the things they need and love sitting there uncrowded it is much easier for them to sack up the remaining stranglers sitting by the door.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I wish I could remember who to give credit to for the dot system. It works so well! And you’re right - some kids just need some gentle guidance. They too definitely feel the weight of burden lifted by simplification.

[@مقبولدعائیں]

I have to apply the principle of Minimalism on watching your videos as well. All your videos are full of information..Simply beautiful

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! ❤️

[@dianepedersen8651]

My son has usually been on board with decluttering and downsizing. He makes decisions about his own possessions and sometimes discusses his reasoning with me. He’s had a couple of regrets (Starcom toys) and has kept a few things for awhile and then let them go. He’s continued to be a minimalist into his 40s.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I love that you both have had open dialogue about the reasons for decluttering and downsizing!

[@مقبولدعائیں]

You are a good instructor. I am feeling the difference, my house is more organised now.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Thank you! I’m happy to help! ❤️

[@seematiwari2583]

Thank you so much dear...this was really comprehensive and feels like a practical roadmap I can follow..🙏

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Best of luck! I am sure your kids will reap the benefits!

[@TheTidyNest]

The dot system is a game changer! We had our first 3 (all girls) in 3.5 years and then had 3 boys in 5 years! So it's nearly impossible to decipher who's laundry is who's without the dots 😅

[@ArrowHillCottage]

Oh my goodness! Yes I can imagine that would be tough to keep straight! ❤️

[@taniayoungson5614]

You have such great videos! What a beautiful home and lifestyle you've created for your family. The dot system that you referred to is definitely a neat idea. You mentioned that you couldn't remember where you learned it. Could it have been from Jordan Paige? I remember years ago hearing her talk about it. Have a great week!

[@ArrowHillCottage]

That is very possible! I have watched her videos in the past!

[@Katy_living_simply]

Have you don a video just about kids wardrobes? Especially your essentials for each season? It is so hard to keep those things minimal especially when you have multiple seasons to be ready for. Like how many shoes? What kind of shoes? How you do layers and how many coats? Things like that.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I haven’t done a video like that! I will keep that in mind. Thanks!

[@Shamizen]

Question about toys in the quarantine bin: Do you give them away without involving the Kids again? - but then they wont be able to let go. Or Do you rather go through the items with the Kids and let them go deliberately? - my 2,5 y old would not be able to part because of the feelings coming up and reclaim most of them, eventhough he never missed any of them.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I think that is a choice each parent would need to decide. I’m a fan of making sure my kids are involved - and at times I had this same reaction from a couple of my kids. In that case, I would ask them to find a ‘swap toy’ for each the one they are reclaiming from the bin. Then quarantine that group. Almost use it like a rotation system. After a while, the favorites will emerge and the child will likely be more willing to let go of those that aren’t as special. Set a boundary for how many toys are out/available at any given time.

[@ERICA850]

We're struggling with that right now and they fight so much over their toys in our possessive over them

[@ArrowHillCottage]

I’m sorry to hear that Erica. You might try ‘an experiment’ with them - ask them each to pick their 3-5 favorite toys. Tell them everything else will be boxed up. Not donated or sold, but set aside for a bit. You might be surprised how few things they ACTUALLY care about! I would suggest keeping a set of open ended toys (such as Lego’s or blocks) for them to play with together as well, even if neither of them chose that as their favorite. I can imagine with fewer toys they will need to find more ways to be creative and work together. ❤️

[@ERICA850]

@@ArrowHillCottage they love Legos! We have a giant bin for duplo and regular. I'm going to try your advice. Im so tired of organizing toys that didn't get put away properly. I just realized I'm the one who still manages their toys. We have a giant utility shelf in our garage with bins of categorized toys. I find toys all over that didn't get put away properly so i end up spending time organizing the left out toys. My intention was to make it easy for them by getting one bin out at a time, but it's still way too much for them to manage by themselves. I just had an aha moment haha thank you

[@ArrowHillCottage]

That’s awesome! Yes, definitely put the extra toys somewhere where they can’t access during this experiment!!

[@Sh4d0w5tr1k3]

I take pictures of art work and save them that way.

[@ArrowHillCottage]

It saves so much space, right?!?