Simple Happy Parenting The Secret of Less for Calmer Parents and Happier Kids

by Barahona, Denaye; Drucker, Amy; de Jong, Manon

• ISBN13: 9781781318645
• ISBN10: 1781318646
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2019-06-04
• Publisher: White Lion Publishing

Summary

Create space for calmer, more creative kids and restore order and happiness at the heart of family life.

In Simple Happy Parenting, Denaye Barahona, Ph.D., provides a revolutionary approach to parenting, full of practical tips to help you step back from the system overload so common in modern family life and, instead, create more time to enjoy living and learning together. From easier meal planning to mindful shopping, worry batching to waste reduction, Simple Happy Parenting is an honest and practical roadmap for all families striving for balance.

Start with the Simple Manifesto:

1. Buy less.
2. Fear less.
3. Referee less.
4. Hurry less.
5. Entertain less.

Then begin your journey to simple by embracing a new, lighter way of life in your home. Step-by-step projects and realistic goals guide your way. Discover how a curated toy cabinet fosters imaginative play; a smaller, carefully selected wardrobe reduces stress; and structured, nourishing meals create relaxed family dinners.

Next, expand the simplicity to your mindset. Learn how letting go of fear provides children with valuable opportunities to grow and develop; positive discipline strategies strengthen family relationships; and inviting more unscheduled time in your calendar gives your family space to thrive.

Not only will these straightforward solutions allow your children the room to progress and flourish, this mindful approach to family life will provide you with more energy, calm, and joy.

Author Biography

Denaye Barahona is the inspirational voice behind Simple Families blog, podcast and community, where she spreads her simple solutions for thriving in motherhood. Her work has been featured on the like of the Today Show (where she is top contributor on the parenting team), Pop Sugar, and Parenting Magazine.

A clinical social worker with a speciality in child and family practice, and a Ph.D. in Child Development, Denaye has spent much of her career working with parents who deal with challenging behaviour in children. She lives in New York state with her husband and two children.

From her on-the-job training as a mom and her professional experience, Denaye has learned how desperately all parents want to get everything right – yet in the process, have the tendency to overcomplicate, over-think and get overwhelmed. Denaye’s refreshing philosophy is that simple really is smart. She advocates taking a holistic approach to helping the whole family stay well: physical, emotional and relational. That means living well by developing a healthy relationship with yourself, your family and your home.

Table of Contents

Introduction
The Best of Intentions
 
What is Simple Parenting? 
Less Expectation: Letting Go of Perfect
Discovering a Simpler Way
The Simple Manifesto
 
Part One: Design a Simple Family Home
Getting Started
Choosing Furniture and Housewares with Children in Mind
How to Tackle a Clear Out
            How Can We Get Kids Onboard with Minimalism? 
Creating a Capsule Wardrobe for Kids
            Plus Parents Too – How to Declutter Your Own Wardrobe
How to Minimise the Toys
            How to Organise Books
            How to Manage Gifts
            Choosing Toys
How to Simplify Meal Time
            Babies Can Eat Real Food, Too
            Simplify Meal Planning
            How Can We Simplify the Kitchen? 
 
Part Two: The Simple Approach to Parenting
Expanding Your Simplicity Mindset
Less Fear
            How to Use Worry-Batching
            Mindfulness for Kids
Less Rush
            Three reasons to Get Outside
Less Distraction
            Getting Screen Time Under Control
            Five Tips to Encourage Free Play in Young Children
            How Do We Get Children Outside? 
Less Referee
            What is Intentional Parenting? 
            Why Do Children Misbehave? 
Less Stuff
            Mindful Shopping
            How Can Families Waste Less? 
 
Afterword
 
Glossary
Index
Resources
About the Author
Acknowledgements