Raising kids who want less
I’ve never really been someone who wants loads of stuff. I like to travel light and I hate mess. I travelled with my partner for a whole year with one small bag and we would proudly show off how little we needed to get by. Not needing much was our badge of honour.
Becoming a mother for the first time 5 years ago was a shock for a multitude of reasons, but not least because of all the junk that started to take up residence in my once minimalist home. Before my child knew where his hand was it was full of various toys to stimulate his growth. Stuff that sang at him, rocked him, made him laugh, brought him comfort. I found myself going to England one Christmas with so much stuff it looked like I was moving house. I was going for one week.
I’m not sure when my son started really “wanting” stuff, but he’s always been surrounded by so much of it that it’s probably only natural that he thinks more is better. I realise that I’m also reinforcing this desire for stuff with statements such as “if you’re a good boy and [insert thing he doesn’t currently want to do] then mummy will take you to the toy shop”. Fast forward to him quickly losing interest in said toy and it being added to the ever growing pile of stuff in my house. When I think about when my boy is at his happiest, it’s when he has our attention, joining him in his imaginary world of dinosaurs and big cats (mostly tigers). So is it just my laziness that is driving his desire for stuff? Or does his need for another toy animal run deeper than that?
I started a Masters in Sustainability at Cambridge because I want to learn and make an impact on the big issues facing our world. My generation has the privilege of knowledge and the imperative to change how we, and the next generation live. That for me has to start with educating my kids through my actions on what sustainable consumption looks like.
Through this blog I’m going to try and see how I can help my children, their class mates and then maybe their school to think about how to minimise the need for more, and in the process get back to my former light packing self. Christmas is coming up. Wish me luck…
