Ways to Encourage Kids to Live Simply

yet understand exactly what you’re saying, but they’ll see that there’s a method to your madness – that you’re selective about what you bring in to your home.

Let them purge with you.

If you have routine of regularly purging your home, let the kids be part of the process. Ask them which of their toys they think another family would enjoy more, and let them see for themselves when they outgrow their clothes. And then explain what you’re doing on the way to the donation center.

Have them earn money for their treats.

You can start this much younger than you think; in our family, our preschoolers start earning coins for every extra chore he or she completes above and beyond basic tasks. It’s not much, but it provides an opportunity to manage money and make decisions about where it goes.

When the kids are older, you don’t have to hound them to do their chores, they simply understand it as a way of life around our house. Mostly (they’re still kids, anyway).

Instead of “I want that!” or “I really need one!” – ask your preschoolers to simply say, “I like that.” It’s really subtle, yes, but this switch can transform their attitudes. It tempers the greediness behind their statement, and helps them understand that just because we want something, it doesn’t mean we can have it all the times. It also helps them to see that it’s not necessarily wrong to want things, it’s simply a matter of choosing what’s worth your hard-earned money.

Don’t simply buy them stuff.

Of course, there are birthdays and holidays. And, occasionally, it’s fun to buy new things. But kids really are happy to play with what’s around them – if parents give them the chance. Parents often prohibit their innate willingness to create with what’s around them with store-bought things.

Sponsor a child.

As a family, sponsor a child who truly doesn’t have what they need in order to live. It helps to put a face and name to global poverty, and it will instill a more compassionate worldview. Your kids will better understand how blessed they truly are.

Keeping the home de-cluttered means having fewer things, which increases the value of the items that are already there. When parents couple this with an attitude of cheerful frugality, compassion, and joy in the little things, the family’s home environment will reflect the best side of simple living – appreciating the little things in life. That means a great childhood for the kids.