Simplicity Parenting

LOVE LOVE LOVE

There is a need to protect our kids from the overwhelming "too much". Have you ever tried cleaning a room and that left you slightly paralyzed just by looking at it? Apparently kids can feel the same way about life too, but by good stuff like toys, activities, and media.

When I was growing up we were probably the classic hectic family with super-chauffeur mom. My mother loved us a lot. She wanted us to sample everything and be "well rounded" people. I remember doing piano, chorus, and violin. I did swimming for several years and went on to sample cross country and soccer in addition to playing basketball at church. We had weekly youth meetings at church and early morning seminary during high school. I did math club, Science Olympiad, and Beta Club. I remember lettering in orchestra and taking an after school SAT class. Down time was unproductive time, and I was left with the impression that if I wasn't busy and tired most of the time I wasn't living up to my potential.

For me reading this book was liking taking a breath that relaxed my soul. This is life worth living. I want this. I want bulwarks in the day like prayers and night time rituals. I want to know there will be room to breathe and just be. I want to become immersed in something fun, regularly. I want traditions that happened every year along with the leaves falling from the trees, frost glittering on the asphalt, and the crisp herald of spring in the air. I want a home where stuff and space and life can live in harmony. Just the thought of such a life warms an unnamed part of me that has been seeking something for a long time.

Dr. Payne's webpage is www.simplicityparenting.com
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