Healthy Magazine Healthy RGV Issue 104 | Page 10

HEALTHY KIDS · JULY 2017 HOW TO IMPLEMENT MINIMALISM FOR YOUR KIDS IN YOUR HOME 01 DECLUTTER THE TOYS In order to get started, you have to let go of all the things that have been keeping you overwhelmed and your kids overstimulated with entertainment. Start slow, don’t overthink it, and just start- those are my biggest pieces of advice here. Don’t sneak around and get rid of stuff behind your kids’ back- that’s not what we want here. We want them to be aware and understand this process, so it’s better to go slower and wait for them to get on board than to lose their trust. 02 LEAD BY EXAMPLE Kids know what you show them. When I implemented minimalism in the rest of the house and we started living this way in every area, my kids learned that this was just a part of our family and how we roll. Now they don’t remember anything else and it’s just the way things are. 03 05 CHOOSE OUTDOOR TIME OVER SCREEN TIME CONSCIOUS CONSUMERISM It’s a habit you can choose to make. Technology is awesome and there’s a time and place for it, but it doesn’t have to be the only way to fill your kids’ time if you don’t want it to be. Don’t let bad weather be an excuse to pull the iPad out either. If you live in a state with lots of freezing or scalding days, you have the challenge of getting creative and encouraging your kids to do the same! Nothing amazing comes easy. Sometimes you have to fight for what you want and make it happen like the warrior mama you are! What kind of toys are you choosing to keep as you declutter? What kind of toys will you buy going forward? 04 PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS SOMETIMES (BUT LET THEM LEARN HOW TO KEEP THEMSELVES ENTERTAINED TOO) Get outside, have a living room dance party, make up a game together… be the mom who plays and makes awesome memories! 10 HEALTHY MAGAZINE Personally, I choose to have things in our house that encourage my kids to use their imaginations or to build things. Legos, blocks, dress up costumes, things like that are so worth the space they take up and always inspire creative play. If you have things like this and your kids don’t play with them, declutter the rest of the toys, give it a week and watch what changes. ALLIE CASAZZA is The Purposeful Housewife. She is all about helping you purge the clutter that's clogging your joy, rediscover the purpose in your days, and live with intention. Learn more about Allie @thepurposefulhousewife.