We tried minimalism with kids.

Hope this helps! :)

Hi there 👋 If you're new to my videos my name is Matt D'Avella.

I'm a documentary filmmaker and YouTuber. I've made a couple films for Netflix (Minimalism & The Minimalists) and I teach a course on how to build your own YouTube channel from scratch. If you like to learn about self-development as much as I do, subscribe for more videos.

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[ingen._.]

Any else watching with no kids but still interested

[emileawalsh]

When I was a kid, for my first few birthdays and Christmas’ my parents asked friends and family to write letters to me instead of bringing me presents. They asked them to write down their advice for going through different life stages (puberty, starting middle school and high school, learning to drive, how to get through my first heartbreak, moving out for the first time, going to college, etc.). She also asked them to write stories about their lives growing up. Now at 24, I still read these letters. A handful of the people who wrote to me have now passed away and I will get to cherish them forever through these letters. At new milestones in my life my parents have given me a bunch of letters to open and it has always been my favorite gift to receive. At this point in my life, I know I have only 3 more bundles of letters left, one for when I get married, one for when I buy my first home, and one for when I have my first child. I’m sad that those will be the last letters I will receive, but I’m also so happy that one day my friends and family can start the cycle over again when I start a family of my own.

[theimprobableone]

I'm all for being a minimalist and decluttering and what-not, but at least do not be a sad beige parent. Let the kids have colors! Bright, vibrant colors! It really helps their development.

[fantomesauvage]

It always cracks me up to see minimalist prepping for kids. I had my first kid at 21 years old, I was homeless and had no clue at all. I bought a few clothes from the flea market (the most colorful possible), made a few plushies and drapes with rags, and that was enough to be honest. At some point I bought a stroller when I had a home but a scarf is enough for the first few months.
And then I see minimalist people going through so much research and buying all those gadgets that they don't need and instead of just enjoying them, spend their time justifying their choice.
I think with babies you really don't need much and you can find things as you go, or get a hand me down from time to time.
And I have seen a comment of someone on this comment section saying for their first birthdays the parents asked for letters instead of gifts. I think that is a very beautiful idea.

[mattdavella]

Hey so I had to re-upload this video because of a copyright issue. Very embarrassing. I’ll blame it on dad brain. Please be a friend and watch this video again so it doesn’t crap the bed and then share it with someone who it might help :)

Btw Nat’s working on cleaning up the baby spreadsheet I mention in the video (get getting links to everything). I’ll share that as a new pinned comment in less than 24 hours so check back here if you want that!


And don’t worry I didn’t lose any sleep over this because I don’t have any more sleep to lose :)

[bonniebranch]

As a minimalist mom of 5 who also homeschools, I’ve learned kids don’t need premade toys. All my children love to read and start at age 5. They love to sing, dance, toss a ball in the living room and run around outside together making up games. They play piano, draw and write stories, and create their own toys out of whatever we have in the house. They don’t argue with each other much because instead of being territorial over stuff, they spend time working as a team to create games and their own toys to play with. It’s so much fun to see what they come up with!

[Gear-lgqw]

minimalism is great but please don't remove color from the child's life. Interacting and engaging with various colors is important for development.

[warriormonk]

In terms of dropped food we have always had a Labrador vacuum system 😁

[trillianmcmillian]

the Montessori approach is pretty minimalist for kids and it builds their independence and more importantly protects and builds their attention and concentration

[rebeccacartier]

I’m so impressed, wasn’t it like five years ago Nat was like the anti minimalist…. And now her turnaround is like “how can we make this work”

[devilnekoz]

The broke parent can WALK CIRCLES around minimalist parent…. Changing pad? A towel. Burp cloths? A towel. Swaddle? A towel. The food catchy? A towel on the floor. Blocks/stacking toys? Empty food/drink containers. Expensive sippy cup? Plastic cup with a straw. White noise machine? fan or heater on low, me humming, white noise on phone or tv.

[sofiabonixo]

Re-commenting: I am so happy you guys didn't give up on your values because they became harder. You and Nat are doing an amazing job. All kids need is love.

[lob]

As a new parent I recommend buying the bare necessities and then slowly adding on as you learn your baby’s preferences. For example, my baby never liked pacifiers or swings. I would go on Reddit groups and forums to research anything new I planned to buy to confirm if it is worthwhile. I didn’t use the monitor because we ended up cosleeping.

[ckhicks]

Dad of three here, I love how self-aware y’all are and the open willingness to learn as you go. That will help you so much more than you can imagine as your family grows and changes.

Also I can attest that common outfits for the first few months are game. changing. and you should give Nat a raise for that idea. 💯

[MrSurfingbudha]

I grew up a minimalist. When i was a kid my dad was a pilot in the air force. I had a small military looking trunk. And if it didnt fit i couldn't get it or take it. At least until i was in high school. We traveled all the time so i never felt poor or neglected. I definitely saw more and had more life experiences than most kids. This was through the 70s and 80s. Here i am at 56 years old and i am in nature still a minimalist living with a bunch of Maximalists. Ive learned to just deal with it.

[sachip]

I wasn’t officially a minimalist mom, but all my babies really needed was me, diapers and wipes, clothes, a sling, stroller and car seat. My diaper bag was a small fabric purse that just fit three diapers, a pack of baby wipes and a folded up baby blanket. The blanket doubled as a change mat, burp cloth and spare emergency clothes. I especially hated bottle clutter - all the little components of bottles, bottle brushes, sterilizers, racks, etc. so I just didn’t use bottles or sippy cups ever. I breastfed my babies, coslept, and slingwore them and they had everything they needed. And with all the money saved on not buying that stuff, I didn’t have to work and was able to spend that much time with the babies in the first place. 😆

[idaxurais]

Since this is a re-upload, this is me re-commenting 😂

I love the baby capsule wardrobe and that food catcher thingy under the baby chair

You may have to have at least 2 toy boxes so you can do toy rotation 😊. Thanks for sharing your family experience!

[carolpadilha]

A re-upload means a new comment: love the way you guys seem to be supporting each other, laughing together. Congrats! Parenthood is great.

[beauenferae]

Something my mom did when I was young is similar to the bin idea. Kids usually find a couple favorite toys. She got tired of us having huge amount of toys and not playing with most of them. So she put them into storage bins and then every month would switch out a couple of toys. It stopped there from being a bunch of stuff but also entertained us, because we'd be excited about the "new" toys.

[beckyevans]

Matt and Nat, I never comment on videos but felt compelled to this time. My husband and I are your age and just had our second kid (2yo and 4mo). We have been minimalists for 5 years now and I had the same concerns as you. It’s so possible to be a minimalist parent and you’re kicking butt!!! My best unsolicited advice is that you remember it’s not your job to “entertain” your child. They have plenty of resources in your home already to play with and really don’t need special stuff to be creative and learn. We’re cheering you on!