Several weeks ago, I read an editorial or letter to the editor in my local paper and something in the printed piece has stuck with me—the author said something about how it was his belief that the more simple life is in the home, the happier a family truly is. I thought it might be a great topic to mull over here in the Parents Blog as I’m wondering if keeping things simpler really does make for happier families?
A few months ago, I wrote about how a friend of mine thinks that smaller houses are better for family bonding and keeping family members close. I suppose the thinking is that with fewer distractions and responsibilities, parents are able to spend more time parenting. And, when children have fewer activities and distractions that take them away from home, they are able to focus on fewer things and life is less hectic.
It’s hard to say—I wonder if I had the money to take my kids on family vacations to the Bahamas or Hawaii, would we be able to relate better? Would we be happier? I know that I am glad that I spent those hectic years coaching sports teams and getting my kids to sports and music lessons, but I don’t know if what we did was “over the top” or not. I think we parents get conflicting information—busy, active kids do better in school and are more likely to stay out of trouble and off drugs, BUT they don’t get as much down time and time spent learning from parents. How do we balance out all that information so we can be one of those “happier” families?
After all, what does “simple” really mean? Does it mean living the pastoral life in the country with goats and a pig? Does it mean shunning activities and social interactions for more family time? Does it mean less summer camps and academic programs and school activities? I’m all for simplification, but I also want my kids and I to live a productive, involved life where we are connected to our community. I would LOVE to hear from all of you—do you think living a simpler life makes for a happier family?
See Also: Happiness is Working Together and 10 Things Happy Families Do