Simple Families Podcast: Parenting | Simple Living | Minimalism | Purposeful Life With Kids + Family

I get to be on the other side of the table today! In today’s episode, I am being interviewed by the host of Minimalish, Desirae Endrees. I had the pleasure of being a guest on Minimalish last week and I loved our chat so much that I wanted to re-air this episode for you on Simple Families. In this episode, I’m talking about how Simple Families got started (and about the other blog I had before Simple Families was born). Thanks to Desirae for having me on and letting me share this with you all. Show Notes/Links: The Original Episode on Minimalish Minimalish on Instagram Minimalish Facebook Group PREORDER SIMPLE HAPPY PARENTING + CLAIM BONUS COACHING Why I Got Rid of My Wardrobe Why I Got Rid of the Toys Un-Fancy (Caroline Rector) Courtney Carver – Be More with Less – Project 333 Care/of – plus use coupon code coupon SIMPLE25 for 25% off The post SFP 158: Practical Steps to Simple, Happy Parenting [with Desirae Endrees of Minimalish] appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode I am sharing more about our decision to homeschool. Homeschool was never in the plans for our family, so I will tell you more about our decision to go down this path. I’m also sharing some of the vital pieces in making this process successful for our family. Hint: It doesn’t involve me doing-it-all and being-it-all. Show Notes/Links: Oak Meadow All About Reading Wild + Free The post SFP 157: Our Decision to Homeschool appeared first on Simple Families.

Changing your mindset and finding joy usually doesn’t happen overnight. Baby steps, right? In today’s episode, I am chatting with authors and happiness experts Marc and Angel Chernoff. We’ll explore the small ways we can increase happiness and life a more intentional life. Show Notes/Links: Marc and Angel’s Website: Marc & Angel Hack Life Find them on Instagram + Facebook New Book: 1000+ Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently First Book: Getting Back to Happy: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Reality, and Turn Your Trials into Triumphs The post SFP 156: Little Bits of Happiness [with authors Marc and Angel Chernoff] appeared first on Simple Families.

On the podcast today I am reading the first chapter of my new book, Simple Happy Parenting: The Secret of Less for Calmer Parents and Happier Kids. Show Notes/Links: Preorder the book: Simple Happy Parenting Grab your spot in The Masterclass The post SFP 155: Simple Happy Parenting [The First Chapter of My New Book] appeared first on Simple Families.

Simplifying parenthood may sound like a lofty goal. But in today’s episode, I am chatting with Nicole Smith, a mother who has made huge strides. Nicole is sharing her ‘Journey to Simplicity’ that has happened over the past few months. Nicole is a wife, mother of three children, and a former participant in the Simple Families: The Masterclass. She’s sharing her story about letting go of fear and watching her family flourish in simplicity. Show Notes/Links: Simple Families: The Masterclass Nicole Smith Before and After of Nicole’s Kitchen: Nicole’s Kitchen Before the Masterclass Nicole’s Kitchen After (#1) Nicole Kitchen After (#2) The post SFP 154: Simplifying Parenthood [with Nicole Smith] appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode, Tsh Oxenreider is sharing more about her “Journey to Simplicity”. Tsh is a wife and mother of three who has been on the path towards a simpler, more intentional life for over a decade. Tsh is an author and the voice behind The Art of Simple and the podcast ‘Simple’. She’s sharing more about her story and reflections on simplicity and parenting as her children have grown. Show Notes/Links: Last Child in The Woods by Richard Louv Video of Adventure Parks Get in touch with Tsh: Her Books, The Art of Simple, TshOxenreider.com, The Simple Show, and Instagram. The post SFP 153: Simple Living + Free-Range Parenting with Big Kids [with Tsh Oxenreider of The Art of Simple] appeared first on Simple Families.

Overparenting is a phenomenon that happens for many parents who have the best of intentions. We want the best for our children and as a result, we want to do everything and be everything for them. This happens because we are fearful of not doing enough. We fear underparenting. This often spills over into discipline. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to dole out rewards and consequences for all the minor and major behavior infractions as children grow. But in today’s episode, I am explaining why we don’t need to fear underparenting. And in fact, often less is more. The post SFP 152: The Fear of Underparenting appeared first on Simple Families.

In the age of social media, it’s impossible to avoid “the comparison game”. In this episode, I am chatting with my friend Erica Layne from The Life on Purpose Movement. We are exploring the tendency to compare our family to others and how the comparison game and emotional clutter has impacted us personally. SHOW NOTES/LINKS: Erica’s Book: The Minimalist Way: Minimalism Strategies to Declutter Your Life and Make Room for Joy Erica Website: The Life on Purpose Movement Erica on Instagram: The Life on Purpose Movement Erica on Facebook: The Life on Purpose Movement How to Declutter Your Life and Make Room for Joy (which gives backstory on the book)  10 Clutter Clearing Strategies that Will Gradually Make Your Life 100 Times Easier The post SFP 151: The Comparison Game [with Erica Layne of The Life on Purpose Movement] appeared first on Simple Families.

Recent Family Photo (Au Pair Included) Since we brought our first au pair last summer I have received nearly constant questions about the experience. So today, I am sharing my thoughts on all types of childcare arrangements (including daycare, family care, nannies, nanny share, etc.) and how we came to our decision to use an au pair. In this episode, I’ll also speak more about my experience with the au pair program. What questions do you have? Show Notes/Links: Cultural Care Coupon code for free registration: PCREGWAIVER The post SFP 150: Tips on Choosing Childcare + My Experience with the Au Pair Program appeared first on Simple Families.

Last week, we had a primer on the importance of outdoor play with Linda Åkeson McGurk. This week, I am re-airing an important follow up piece on the scientific perspective on this topic. In today’s episode, I speak with Carla Hannaford, world-renowned biologist and outdoor advocate, about her studies on the connection between movement and brain development. If you are brand new to learning about brain development, tune into Episode 92 for a simple, quick overview before diving into this one. The Mental UN-load is coming March 14th! The Mental Unload is launching next week! This program will lighten the load of parenthood, reserve your spot here. The post SFP 149: The Science Behind Outdoor Play + Movement [with Carla Hannaford Ph.D.] appeared first on Simple Families.

Today I have one of the top Simple Families episodes! I am re-sharing my chat with Linda Åkeson McGurk about the importance of getting kids outside in all sorts of weather–even in the heart of winter. There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. Linda, a Swedish mother, joins us to talk about raising our kids to be more connected with nature. Linda’s book is one of my favorites–and her blog, Rain or Shine Mamma, is a worth-while resource as well. I hope you enjoy this episode! The post SFP 148: Getting Kids Outside in ALL Types of Weather [with Linda from Rain or Shine Mamma] appeared first on Simple Families.

The journey into motherhood isn’t easy for any woman. But after giving birth here in the U.S., there is societal pressure to return to a “normal life” almost overnight. In other cultures, this transition comes more gently. Women are given more time, more support, and more grace. In today’s episode I am chatting with my friend Lora Amigo. Lora is a Mexican woman raising her children in Chicago–far away from her support network. She shares her story of learning how to mother here in America and the pressure she felt in the process. We are talking about postpartum depression, helicopter parenting, and finding joy in returning to work. The post SFP 147: Mothering Without A Village [with Lora Amigo] appeared first on Simple Families.

As a parent raising children in the United States, I realize that I have a lot to learn from other cultures around the world. In today’s episode, I am exploring an international perspective with Indian mother Devishobha Chandramouli. Devishobha is raising her children in India, but is also involved and informed with Western parenting practices. In fact, she has even created an online conference to bring these perspectives together. Devishobha shares more about her experience merging the Eastern and Western worlds of parenting. She tells us about the expectations for kids to learn self-control, busyness, the influence of ancient mindfulness practices, co-sleeping, the postpartum experience, and much more. Despite her calm and gentle voice, Devishobha shares that even she is inclined to lose her cool with her kids sometime, because parenting in any part of the world comes with challenge. Show Notes/Show Links: Conference Details: Kidskintha Online Summit Kidskintha The post SFP 146: In

Why is it that some kids turn into zombies in front of a screen? Then they get angry and act crazy when we turn it off? That’s what we are talking about in today’s episode. I’m going to be skimming the surface on some brain research and share how I use this to manage and understand the screen “zombies” in my own house. (Names in this episode were changed to protect privacy) SHOW NOTES/SHOW LINKS: Beautiful Boy Movie Trailer Beautiful Boy Book Free Solo Movie Trailer Alex Hannold Brain Analysis Beautiful Boy Movie Trailer Beautiful Boy Book Free Solo Movie Trailer Alex Hannold Brain Analysis Neurodiversity The Highly Sensitive Kid The post SFP 145: Q&A – Why Do Some Kids Turn into Angry Zombies with Screen Time? appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Amy Lang about sex. She’s sharing her best tips on how to talk to kids about sex, the human body, teaching consent, and the sexualization of childhood. This is a conversation that needs to be on the radar of all parents with young children. SHOW NOTES/LINKS: Amy’s Podcast: Just Say This Amy’s Website: Birds+Bees+Kids Birds & Bees Made Easy Online Resource Center: Use coupon code SEXTALK for 50% off your first quarterly payment Amy’s Book Recommendations Amy’s Internet Monitoring Software Choice: Qustodio The post SFP 144: Talking to Young Kids about Sex [with Amy Lang of Birds+Bees+Kids] appeared first on Simple Families.

The way that you parent will look very differently from that of your close friends and family members. Today I am answering a listener’s question. We are discussing how to manage these relationships when you have very different expectations for your own children. Show Notes/Links: Cooperation: the Mini-Course (FREE) Overview of Diana Baumrind’s Research on Parenting Styles Denaye’s Simplifying Child Behavior Program Episode 130: Letting Go of Unrealistic Expectations The post SFP 143: Q&A – How do you handle when your parenting choices clash with others? appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode I am chatting with professional organizer Rachel Rosenthal. If you are anything like me, you might struggle with complex organizational systems. Rachel is bringing her best tips to keep it simple and approachable–and maybe make 2019 your most organized year yet. Show Notes/Links: Rachel’s Online Program (use the code NEW YEAR for 10% off) Rachel’s Website Rachel on FB + IG The post SFP 142: Organization for Everyone [with Rachel Rosenthal] appeared first on Simple Families.

If you’ve ever wanted to drink less alcohol, then you might want to tune into this episode. I’ve had a lot of questions about my 2019 resolution to give up alcohol–even though I wouldn’t classify myself as a heavy drinker. Today on the podcast I am sharing more about my “why” and some of the recent personal revelations I have had in the process. Show Notes/Links: Episode 128 with Brooke Conley How to Quit Overdrinking Podcast Series by Brooke Castillo This Naked Mind by Annie Grace Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol by Ann Dowsett Johnston The post SFP 141: Q&A – Can you tell us more about your 2019 resolution? appeared first on Simple Families.

In today’s episode I am chatting with Erin Loechner. Erin is an author, blogger, designer, and mother of two. She shares her journey towards simple living along with her best tips for making slower New Year’s Resolutions–including arm circles, waking up before the kids, and finding your own definition of self-care. Show Notes/Links: Find Erin on Instagram Design for Mankind (Erin’s website) Chasing Slow (Erin’s book). Erin Loechner The post SFP 140: Slow Resolutions [with Erin Loechner] appeared first on Simple Families.

Independent play doesn’t come easily to all children. In today’s episode we are discussing what to expect from independent play as well as how to support our children to do it more often. When it comes to independent play, it’s important that we do three things: gauge our expectations as parents; assess the individual personality types of our children; and set them up for success. Show Notes/Links: Visual Timer Story Starters The post SFP 139: Q&A – How Do I Get My Kid to Play Independently? appeared first on Simple Families.