Beth Grushkin
Preparation Assignment #2 Response to Simplicity Parenting
I came to Simplicity Parenting during my own parenting struggles. Even before my boys were diagnosed with ADHD, I sensed a need for less, to slow down. My instincts were keen on what my family needed and Simplicity Parenting served as my guide. I felt so validated by the ideas presented in the book and worked to try all of Payne’s suggestions.
Limiting screen/media time was my first move. Even though I was already limiting both the types of media my boys watched and the length of time they were exposed, I still saw the ill effects. My older son, then about 4, was a zombie in front of the TV and seemed paralyzed when the screen went off. It was harder for him to then engage himself in play. I went down to even less screen time and vowed to not let my kids play video games for as long as I could.
I have to say that my both my actions and ideas were very foreign to most of those around me during this time. I stood alone amongst most of my friends in my thoughts to limit and simplify—my friends were ramping up, buying iPads for their three year olds. Discussions centered around what apps were the latest and greatest for kids. As a parent and a teacher of young children, to this day I am so puzzled by people’s inability to question this onslaught of the modern day world and its effect on our kids.
Now with my boys in 4th and 6th grade, I have started to let them dip their toes in a bit. Unfortunately, they would be social outcasts if I did not let them play ANY video games. We still restrict their time to an hour or so on the weekends, which is vastly different from their peers.
Our household environment continues to be simplified. As somewhat of a minimalist myself, I struggle living with three maximalists! I rotate playthings and have open ended toys (legos, Kappla blocks, art supplies). I do not have more out than they can easily clean up. As my boys get older, however, I am not sure what “toys” will look like? What do teenage boys do besides play video games?? How do we prepare teens with other skills and pleasures?Especially the skills and pleasure of human interaction and connection?
I seem to come to these changes out of anxiety and with fervor. My challenge is to fully embrace the idea of looking more globally at the preservation of childhood. I am excited to dive deeper into my own need for this work.
My intentions for the class are not only to further explore this work with my own family, but to serve my community as well. As an educator for over 20 years and a parent for over 10, I see the great need for this work.
You are pointing to so much here! MANY many parents struggle with these same issues, especially those I highlight in yellow above. We can be thinking how to have compassion and how to sue the group work to support parents in making small doable changes to get them going in the firection they want to go iin.
Reading these assignments over the years it is striking how simplifying media has really come to the fore as a central issue.