Let’s Choose Less: Simplifying Life with Young Kids | Jenna Michael (EP389)

Quick note: I recorded this episode back in February 2020. I have a noticeable cold that I remark on in the beginning of my conversation. A lot of my episodes are recorded months before they drop so I apologize for any confusion or mentions of it being winter at the release date (July 2020.) ---- This week, I bring you my conversation with author, Autumn McKay. In 2016, Autumn created her blog, Best Mom Ideas where she began to share tips and tricks she learned throughout her own motherhood journey. The creation of this blog turned into the creation of her books, The Ultimate Toddler Activity Guide and The Ultimate Kindergarten Prep Guide. Today we’ll discuss the benefits of screen-free activities, ways to encourage independent play and how to minimize screen time in the day-to-day. I've also included ten of my go-to ways to avoid screens! It can be tough in extreme temperatures to know how to balance screen time with playtime so my hope is to give you a couple of suggestions you hadn't yet considered! Show Notes for EP128: Navigating Screen-Time Overload [+ Go-To Ways to Avoid Screens] Let’s keep the conversation going on Facebook or Instagram! And, don’t forget to leave a rating or review on iTunes. Each review is so appreciated and always brings a smile to my face! Episode Sponsored by: Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls Podcast Our Sponsors: * Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS * Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com * Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalist Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

14 Juli 202028min

This week I want to have a discussion on the idea of our possessions 'sparking joy' as we declutter. The method comes from author, Marie Kondo in her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. The idea has become a mainstream thought; however, is it really the best way to approach decluttering? I bring you some personal thoughts on this subject, as well as dive into a discussion with Marie Kondo consultant, Sarit Sela. I wanted to give you the opportunity to make the decision for yourself after listening to two sides of the method! Show Notes for EP127: Spark Joy: Is It Really the Best Approach to Decluttering?  Let’s keep the conversation going on Facebook or Instagram! And, don’t forget to leave a rating or review on iTunes. Each review is so appreciated and always brings a smile to my face!   Our Sponsors: * Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS * Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com * Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalist Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

7 Juli 202032min

Today I bring you my conversation with author, Greta Eskridge. Greta Eskridge is a second-generation homeschooling mom of four. Her message of deeply connected and intentional parenting began as a blog in her early days of mothering, but quickly blossomed into a writing and speaking career. Now, Greta helps parents and kids create connection in a disconnected world on her website, at the popular Wild and Free homeschool conferences, and at speaking engagements around the country. Today we'll be discussing the subject of her new book, adventuring with kids. In recent years, children are growing up in a world that looks little like the one their parents experienced during childhood. The Internet at their fingertips, cameras on phones that fit in their pockets, schedules jam-packed with extracurriculars. Parents find themselves competing for their children’s attention, at a loss for meaningful ways to cut through the noise and connect. Greta will answer questions such as: how do I get my unadventurous child to feel comfortable stepping out of his/her comfort zone, adventures that are do-able with little children, free adventures to have with our children and more. Show Notes for EP126: Adventuring Together Let’s keep the conversation going on Facebook or Instagram! And, don’t forget to leave a rating or review on iTunes. Each review is so appreciated and always brings a smile to my face! Our Sponsors: * Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS * Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com * Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalist Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

30 Juni 202037min

Today, I bring you my conversation with Rita Rogers. Rita is an is an ICU nurse, farm wife, mom to two little girls and blogger at Rita Rogers Co. where she advocates for living well on purpose. Rita takes on cultural norms such as health culture and thought processes that may not be serving us well by getting us to ask questions and apply common sense solutions. In this conversation, we have an open dialogue on intentional media consumption and what that looks like in our day-to-day. We're not experts, just two minimalist mamas looking to navigate the plethora of information coming our way. I need to have ways to insulate my mind from the negativity of the world so that I can fulfill my daily parenting duties. That said, the 'noise' of the news media is something that's hard to tune out so instead of completely doing so, I just have to get better at navigating.  Find all the resources mentioned in this show: Show Notes for EP125: Ask Questions, Have Discussions [Intentional Media Consumption] Let's keep the conversation going on Facebook or Instagram!  Our Sponsors: * Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS * Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com * Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalist Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

16 Juni 202028min

Today I bring you my conversation with Diana Rene. Diana is a busy mom of two located in Denver, Colorado. She helps other busy mama's online to declutter their homes and simplify their lives, so they can spend more time doing what they love - and spend less time picking up after everyone. Today we discuss one of the most-asked listener questions: how do I simplify when my spouse isn't on board? Diana shares from personal experience and gives great suggestions on how to lovingly invite your spouse to join you (or at least arrive at some compromises that will leave both partners feeling satisfied!) Find all the resources mentioned in this show: Show Notes for EP124: Simplifying When Your Spouse Isn't On Board Let's keep the conversation going on Facebook or Instagram!  Our Sponsors: * Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS * Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com * Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalist Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

9 Juni 202036min

Today I bring you my conversation with host of the The Money, Career & Motherhood Podcast, Janice Scholl. Janice has made an entire career out of talking about money and business. She found her purpose when she began mentoring female entrepreneurs in 2012. Today, we define how value-based budgeting varies from a typical budget. The budget is designed to help people have the money to spend it on the things they want to. It shouldn’t feel like a restrictor but an enabler. Changing your family’s financial future requires a change in behavior and there’s no better time to start than today. Find all the resources mentioned in this show: Show Notes for EP123: Values-Based Budgeting Let's keep the conversation going on Facebook or Instagram!  Our Sponsors: * Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS * Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com * Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalist Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

2 Juni 202036min

Link to listener survey: https://survey.libsyn.com/minimalistmomspodcast (Thank you so much for taking the time to fill this out!) Also, follow me over @theminimalistmomspodcast on Instagram! Share the podcast with a friend, too! ------------------------------------- Today I bring you my conversation with Kate Miley. Kate is a professional photo organizer and is on a mission to help moms both back up their photos so they can sleep well at night and organize their photos so they can enjoy them again. Do you have thousands of photos that need sorting, saving, and deleting? Are your photos stored in a safe place? Does the thought of organizing your photos overwhelm you? Hopefully you’ll walk away from our conversation with a handful of helpful nuggets in your pocket to get the process started!  Find all the resources mentioned in this show: Show Notes for EP121: Safe & Organized Photos Let's keep the conversation going on Facebook or Instagram!  Episode Sponsored By:  Storyworth TWITTER: @storyworth FACEBOOK: @storyworth INSTAGRAM: @storyworth HASHTAG: #storyworth Our Sponsors: * Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS * Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com * Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalist Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

19 Maj 202031min

Today, I bring you my interview with author, Carla Naumburg. Carla is is a writer, mother, and clinical social worker. She is the author of three parenting books and her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, CNN, and Mindful Magazine, among other places. Today we will be discussing her latest book, How To Stop Losing Your S*** with Your Kids. The title suggests humor; however, there is so much wisdom we can draw from Carla's research and insights. Find all the resources mentioned in this show: Show Notes for EP120: Understanding Our Triggers in Parenting Let's keep the conversation going on our Facebook page or Instagram!  Episode Sponsored By:  Betterhelp Our Sponsors: * Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS * Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST * Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com * Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalist Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

12 Maj 202036min