I’ve always been a bit of a “minimalist” parent. I just didn’t know that there was such a thing, and that you could be a “minimalist” mom and a good mom at the same time.

In my youngest years of motherhood, I inwardly rebelled against all the “should do’s” but outwardly faked it so I could feel better about myself and where I fit with the other moms. I felt anxious when I didn’t feel my kids were signed up for enough activities, even though a lot of scheduled activities have never been my bag. I worried that I’d look like a bad mom for not teaching my infant sign language or attending Mommy and Me classes or Kindermusik. I wondered if there was something wrong with the fact that I was happiest when we kept our hours relatively free and my expectations on the low side.

I did eventually learn to embrace my nature and see the good sides of “slower” parenting, but I’ve always wished there were a book that tells parents, in no uncertain terms, that you don’t have to do X, Y, and Z (in addition to A – W) to raise great kids, and that slowing down and streamlining can actually lead to a happier family life. Not only why, but how to shrug off societal pressures and chart a new course for your family with confidence.

So when I heard that my friends Christine Koh of Bostonmamas and Asha Dornfest of Parent Hacks were writing a book called Minimalist Parenting, I got really excited. And when I read the book, I got even more excited. It’s just as practical, reassuring, and helpful as I hoped it would be.

Today I’m thrilled to bring you Episode 11 of The Kitchen Hour podcast with Christine and Asha as my guests. In it we talk about everything from food to kids’ activities, from defining family priorities and values, to self-care. Just click the “play” button below to listen in your browser (or you can listen in iTunes), and make sure to head over to The Kitchen Hour to check out the show notes, where you’ll find links to things we talked about in the podcast as well as the book’s site and some other goodies.

The post New episode of The Kitchen Hour podcast with Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest of Minimalist Parenting appeared first on The Happiest Home.

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2. Help women in need with Asha & Christine of Minimalist Parenting
   
3. Another episode of The Kitchen Hour podcast!
   
4. The Kitchen Hour Podcast with Amy Allen Clark of MomAdvice.com