The first years of a baby’s life can feel anything but simple. While their needs are few, namely love, food, sleep, and play, parents often feel pressure to provide the absolute best on these fronts. The best food. The best sleep. The best play. 

We are told that to accomplish this by doing more: more playdates, more lessons, more outings, and more variety on the table. Jessica Rolph is joined by Kim John Payne on today’s episode to help us question this approach. He is the author of the best-seller Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids and he has also written: The Soul of Discipline: The Simplicity Parenting Approach to Warm, Firm, and Calm Guidance — From Toddlers to Teens and Being at Your Best When Your Kids Are at Their Worst: Practical Compassion in Parenting.

Highlights::

[2:07]  What does Simplicity Parenting mean?

[3:15] Kim lists the four main areas to start simplifying your child’s life.

[5:20] How do parents know if a toy is purposeful before they decide to bring it home? 

[7:25] The power of predictability: Why do children benefit from knowing what to expect? 

[12:24] What does a Waldorf-informed mealtime look like? 

[15:10] How can parents simplify their lives more proactively and less reactively? 

[17:12] A child’s brain processes a fraction slower than adults; Kim explains how to match their timing.

[20:17] Kim shares tips for parents who are struggling with the transition from a busy day to reentering the family unit at a slower pace.

[24:18] Jessica offers three takeaways from her conversation with Kim John Payne.

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Simplicity Parenting Podcast