I’m pretty sure the only reason my kids show up is that they’re scared I’ll get rid of one of their favorite toys. It’s all part of our December “toy purge,” when we go through the shelves and cupboards in our house looking for old and broken Hot Wheels, action figures, and board games. These are passed on to other families, donated, or thrown away, ultimately making room for the gifts they’ll get on Christmas morning. But it’s definitely not my kids’ favorite Christmas tradition. They often find it hard to part with a puzzle they used to love but have outgrown or a broken Barbie they’re convinced I could glue back together one more time.
A practice like this isn’t only good for kids. Adults, too, can purge the things that might not belong in our lives either. As a dad, a closer look at our own lives might reveal things that are interfering with family life. Here are 4 places where dads can simplify their lives.
1. We can simplify our own desire for more toys.
It’s not just kids who go looking for more toys! We dads might go looking for another new shirt, a new app, the latest earbuds, or another tool for the workbench. One item on its own might not seem like a big expense, but constantly buying new things adds up fast. Having a healthy approach to money and the stuff we buy allows us not only to have more time to spend with our families, but it also helps our kids learn how to properly handle their own money and things.
2. We can simplify our need for a clean car (or house).
Whenever I let my kids eat in the car, they make a mess. It doesn’t take long for various wrappers and food bits to get scattered across the back seat and floor. While I could just never drive the kids anywhere, I know that the time we spend in the car is a great way to spend time together. One way to simplify our lives as dads is to accept that, if we have kids, our cars will be messier and our houses may be chaotic, but our lives will be fuller.
3. We can simplify by limiting the time we spend on screens.
Bad screen habits aren’t a new problem. From televisions to video games to smartphones, screens have always provided us a way to laugh, to follow a good story, or to relax after a long day at work. But when we dads spend too much time staring at a screen, our kids can begin to feel like they aren’t a priority in our lives. Setting family limits for screen time will help us find more time and space to spend with our families.
4. We can simplify by swallowing our pride.
A man who never apologizes or asks for help puts unintentional barriers between himself and his family. No one wants to be around someone who doesn’t take responsibility for their actions or who feels like they’re never wrong. Our kids will watch us act like we’re always right, and they’ll copy us. Embrace humility instead. We should teach our kids what it looks like to admit when we’re wrong or to ask someone for help. Not only will that make us a better role model for our kids, but it also means people will find us much more pleasant company.
Sound off: What are some other ways we can simplify our lives?
Huddle up with your kids and ask: “What’s one thing you want to make more time for this week?”