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Simple parenting: the “less is more principle”
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Parents want relaxed children, and vice versa is similar. It’s actually not that difficult at all. The insider tip: simple parenting or the “less is more principle”.
by Linda Berger
Saying “no” less is more
The child has not even finished asking the question, so the “no” is on the tip of our tongue – because we have to go home quickly, because we don’t want them to mess in their new shoes or because we think so, now right now it’s far too cold for ice cream. Here is that “No” is often not necessary at all.
After all, in most cases we still have the 5 minutes to balance on the wall, children’s shoes can get dirty from time to time and ice cream actually tastes pretty good to me even in winter. It is better to pause for a moment, take a deep breath and think for a moment whether it really has to be a “no”.
Less complaining is more effective
The same goes for scolding. We do that too way too much. That is too often unnecessary, in most cases doesn’t make the situation any better and in the evenings we feel lousy because instead of taking a deep breath and staying relaxed, we complained to the offspring. Well, we’re only human and sometimes it just bursts out of us. But basically complaining only costs energy at the same time minimal long-term effect. Because that too wears out and at some point only goes in one ear and out the other. Scolding less is much more effective when you have to.
Simple parenting – fewer toys, more variety
It piles up in the nursery and multiplies Every year for a birthday and Christmas, as if by magic: toys. In the end, it’s just in the corner because the children can’t play with everything, let alone keep track of things. But what helps? Keep it simple! Regularly sort out or sometimes swap – then the toy doesn’t get boring so easily.
Make decisions – less choice, more participation
All parents know these situations: You are at the bakery, the display is quilting with goodies and in front of it you are amazed completely overwhelmed child. What should it choose now? The end of the story: frustration and crocodile tears because the decision is so difficult. Better that Limit selection from the start: “Pretzel or milk roll?”. Result: The child is happy because they were allowed to participate in the decision-making process and you are happy because you don’t have to scratch the cream cake from the buggy.
Incidentally, this also applies to them morning clothes selection: Not “which T-shirt do you want to wear?”, But “the T-shirt with the ladybug or rather the one with the sequins?” Too many decisions are overwhelming even us adults, how are our children then? Let them have a say, but only within their framework.
Fewer rules, but meaningful ones
Rules are important. You can’t do without it in traffic alone, it looks similar with brushing your teeth or handling food at the table. But that doesn’t mean that everything should be sorted out in life with children. It’s like the many “no’s”. Better to have fewer rules that are actually followed than too many that are not taken seriously.
The “less is more” principle does not apply to one thing: Cuddling. There may be an abundance of that.