Book Club : Simplicity Parenting Chapter Four

Today I will be summarizing and discussing the fourth chapter of Kim John Payne’s book, Simplicity Parenting In a world where childhood seems to be flooded with too much, too fast and too soon Payne helps parents clear the way to a simpler, more connected and whole-hearted family life. After reading this book parents will feel empowered and ready to declutter spaces, establish stronger home rhythms, cut down on screen-time and most of all to slow down and prioritize meaningful moments with their children. Most remarkably, the book is truly applicable for all families regardless of their diverse faiths, backgrounds and values. It is completely free from dogma and instead, offers practical and adaptable advice to all.

Chapter Four: Rhythm

• too often there is no ‘typical’ day in the home but there are still rhythms there (school, work, sleep, holidays to name a few)
• the first rhythm we’re exposed to is our mother’s heartbeat in the womb
• “… children learn that there are movements and changes that, with their regularity, can be counted on[…] A child’s sense of security is built upon these predictabilities. ” p. 96
• there are a lot of pieces to fit into a daily rhythm
• “Increasing the rhythm of your home life is one of the most powerful ways of simplifying your children’s lives”

In the tapestry of childhood, what stands out is not the splashy, blow-out trip to Disneyland but the common threads that run throughout and repeat: family dinners, nature walks, reading together at bedtime, Saturday morning pancakes

p. 98

Predictability

• predictability is intimately related to rhythm
• children need a level of clarity about how their day is going to unfold
• tell children the night before in bed about their day – give them a preview of the day to come
• children are pictorial so describe the day with visual details (eg. You’ll be waiting by the tree outside of school and my big grey car will pull up and pick you up tomorrow”)
• how you describe the day matters too- choose a time to preview that is relaxed and unhurried
• give advance notices when a change in the rhythm is about to occur (eg. “Soon Mama is going to ask you to pack away the toys so we can go and pick up your sister at school”)

Establishing Rhythms

• start small gradually adding more and more consistency in your life
• anything repeated can be made more rhythmic, children ages 2-6 naturally love rhythms and rituals
• make sure you’re committed to creating the rhythm and stick by it for a month or so until it becomes second nature
• “start small, stay close, insist and follow through” – Secrets of Discipline by Ronald Morrish
• with older children you need to discuss the change beforehand and discuss “what’s in it for them”
• little breakfast rituals like previewing the day are helpful, practising an instrument after breakfast
• after school time is great for unscheduled free, self-directed playtime
• “The rhythms of family life provide consistency; the best ones also offer connection” p. 108

Relational Credits

• often connection happens in the stillness or “doing nothing” moments before bed or upon waking or one-on-one with your child
• a sense of rhythm can increase the number of these moments of pause
• “By eschewing some of the distractions that could easily consume our time and attention- limitless media, activities, and stuff- we leave our emotional door open for our loved ones” p. 110
• establishing these relational habits early helps to reenforce the bond in adolescence- it is the way you are together and always have been
• Listening, waiting and pausing
• Create connection by discussing the rose & thorn, affirming your child’s actions in quiet moments

Family Dinner

• when children are included in preparing the meals they are more likely to enjoy and eat their food
• studies have shown children who eat regularly together with their family have higher vocabularies, are less likely to smoke, drink, do drugs, suffer from depression or struggle with asthma and eating disorders
• “The family dinner is more than a meal. Coming together, committing to a shared time and experience, exchanging conversation, food, and attention… all of these add up to more than full bellies. The nourishment is exponential.” p. 115
• a symbolic start to the meal helps to create ritual around family dinners- a blessing or moment of silence

Simplifying Tastes

• food is another realm that has become overwhelming for adults and children
• limit choices and complexity- simplify options, tastes and ingredients
• is the food designed to nourish? entertain? stimulate?
• did the food exist 50 years ago?
• wean them off of highly processed foods and snacks- reseting their palates takes about a month
• grumbling is short term, benefits will last
• “as they simplified their kids became less and less picky about food” p. 120
• if you want your child to try a new food they have to try it at least eight times

Simplifying Dinner

• simple themes for each night eg. Monday Italian Night, Tuesday Soup, Wednesday Rice etc.
• rhythms make stepping out of them a novelty Eg. “I know it’s soup night but we’re going to make pizza for Sarah’s birthday”
• evening meals need to be sacrosanct in the family
• with consistency and connection older children are still able to feel comfortable and confident talking about a wide range of subject with their children
• evening meals together are grounding for children

Sleep and Pressure Valves

• children can’t go from full tilt to stop at bedtime
• falling asleep requires a lot of “letting go”
• connecting before bed “What was the most courageous thing you did or saw today?” “What was the hardest part of today?”
• parent offers quiet validation, listening, noticing not advice or analysis
• pressure valves built into the day help children to let off steam
• These are opportunities for release and calm: eg. naps, rest or midday quiettime, after-school ritual, moment of silence before sinner, work (especially for industrious types) such as projects, handwork, lighting a candle and snuffing it

Bedtime Stories

• Stories are another kind of pressure-valve
• they can relax into their bodies and breathing – stories have their own richness and rhythm- truth, beauty, goodness, struggles and second chances
• repeat stories again and again

This particular chapter on RHYTHM is clearly a subject dear to my heart. A strong daily, weekly and seasonal rhythm can be such a nourishing way to support the developing child and allows more room and space for meaningful connection. Kim’s “pressure-valve” concept is a valuable one. Our fourth child is attempting to cut her nap at the moment and we are persevering – trying to keep it as part of her daily rhythm- she still needs it! Her nap is definitely a pressure valve and when she doesn’t have it it is actually harder for her to get to sleep at night.

Which part of this chapter struck a chord with you?

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