Small Steps

Episode #10 – Challenge Title: Less is More
Welcome to Small Steps – a Podcast for Growing up Grown Ups.
These Small Steps will be simple, do-able and practical to help you relate to your young child in a healthy way as each of you grows. So hang around for some encouragement as you raise up your little one.
I’m Nanette Johnson, Minister to Preschoolers and their families at First Baptist Church Arlington.
This is Episode 10 of the Small Steps Podcast
Have you noticed how, we as humans, always want more? The more we get the more we want. The bigger the pile the bigger the desire. Fish crackers are a favored snack in our preschool classrooms. It is a standard experience when one of the children asks for “more, please” the other four children at the table will also want more – even if they still have 10 crackers in front of them! We can quickly become greedy when we realize someone else has more. Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a very good example of being driven by comparison and wanting more!

“Lets pause here” and visit about how to counter this natural human desire of “I need more”. This isn’t a new issue – in fact, we can trace this back to Genesis chapter 3. The garden was perfectly designed by God to meet all of Adam and Eve’s needs. And yet, because of their free-will and choice, they desired more. Living in a society where there is always more can certainly test our desires. Privilege and comparisons can quickly weaken our level of satisfaction. Raising children to be satisfied with what they have, to be content with who they are, and to be driven by cultivating meaningful relationships instead of being driven by the collection of “things” takes thought and training.

How does this phrase “Less is More” strike you? Do you bristle with that quote? Can you relate? Do you agree? When we, as adults, can be content with less, we may find we are happier people. Fewer things to own means less to repair. Fewer events on the schedule may mean a calmer and slower pace of life. Fewer devices making noise brings a more peaceful atmosphere. Fewer grams of sugar may provide better health. And fewer cups of coffee… well – I’ll stop there! From major investments to cups of coffee – it all feeds our desire. Our level of satisfaction. Our space of contentment.
Content is defined as = being in a state of peaceful happiness
I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Philippians 4:14 MSG
Setting limits, quieting the comparisons, doing with less, and settling the striving really does bring happiness and contentment. Our children will either learn to be content or learn to always strive for more from the boundaries and models that are upheld in the home.
Establishing a framework of “less is more” really is about setting some manageable and healthy boundaries. We need boundaries just like our children need them. If the concept of “boundaries” seems negative than maybe Guardrails gives a more helpful picture. Guardrails protect and give guidance. They communicate the right path, mark the future lanes, and sometimes point out potential danger. When we set consistent guidelines or boundaries for our children, we are protecting them while training them. Consistent boundaries, over the years, train children to be able to recognize the right paths, trains them to eventually have self-control, helps them to not be distracted by what is on the other side, gives them confidence to make their own choices, encourages them to move forward with what they have. Healthy boundaries brings contentment. There is satisfaction that comes from understanding where the lanes are and how to stay in them.
How does “less is more” relate to your family?
When are you distracted by wanting more? Are there too many things that you might be trying to keep up with? Is social media adding to the “want list”? Where are the places that seem to be most stressful right now in your home? Is life too busy? Are there too many things causing distractions? Where do some limits need to be established? How can you bring back some satisfaction and contentment within your family life? These are hard questions! But they make a BIG difference. Don’t you love it when raising your children really turns things around and you realize you need to re-train yourself first?! When there is less to keep up with, less to manage, less to be at – there is usually less to stress over. And that can bring a much happier and content life.
Let’s summarize with 4 Small Steps –
Step 1 – We know children will want more. They are human! Setting consistent boundaries helps establish a more content way of living. When children are content, they are happier. When we are content, there is less stress.
Step 2 – Be aware of where there may be TOO MUCH! Too much on the schedule. Too much to organize. Too many distractions – whether that be noise, friends, social media, devices, or habits. There may be too much stress. Instead of letting the stress steal your joy, stop, and figure out where some new guardrails need to be placed. What new path can be marked to bring back some contentment?
Step 3 – Try doing with less this month. Here are some practical suggestions to help you simplify this evaluation of Too Much. >Organize all those toys so they can be rotated out once a week. Playing with less develops a greater imagination in children. >Set limits on the number of snacks during the day and where they can be eaten. This may set in motion healthy eating habits for the future. >Decide ahead of time on the number of gifts to purchase for Birthdays or Christmas. This lowers financial stress and removes the drive to keep up with more things.
Do Less – take some things off the calendar. Buy less - coffee, snacks, toys, or Amazon orders. Watch less. Scroll less. Do with Less for the simple fact that most of it distracts us from our family moments. The more we do, the more we have, the more we want and the less content we become.
Step 4 – Celebrate your family by playing at the park together, instead of attending another event where a gift is expected. Celebrate with less by making a game out of recycled items. Celebrate what you have as a family and then just be content!
If we are honest, young children know how to play and be content with nothing. They really don’t need more things. Remember the box that is more fun than the gift that came inside the box?! Being content with less seems to be a “less than” way of life. But that is a false message.
The Good news is - Instead of constantly striving to get more, our children will thrive with confidence and be satisfied by living a more joyful life – when we have a “less is more” framework.
I hope you will be encouraged to be content with less!

Thanks so much for joining me today.
As you repeat these Small Steps consistently, you will learn more about your child’s design and will be amazed by their growth. Their Growth depends on your Small Steps - as you too are Growing Up!