My 5-year-old is always on the hunt for more. More toys, despite having a pile he barely touches. More dessert, even when his mouth is already stuffed. More time before bedtime, which he stretches out by dragging out the routine. His constant demands for more leave me wishing for less—less whining, less stress, and sometimes, less kids!
Yet, it’s not just children who crave more; adults, especially parents, share this tendency. Kids require nearly everything we can offer, and as parents, we often find ourselves desiring more to balance their needs with our own. We wish for more free time, more money (who wouldn’t?), more sleep, more drinks, and yes, more babysitters. But perhaps above all, we crave more space.
When you have children, everything seems to shrink—except for your joy, of course! And your laundry pile. Your finances dwindle, your patience wears thin, and your home feels smaller. Not only are you sharing your space with more people, but those people also come with loads of stuff!
Before kids, you were probably content with a cozy living arrangement—a studio or a small apartment. Then you married, merged your lives, and your space grew, but not dramatically. You still only needed one bedroom! But then, pregnancy hit, and you began to envision a crib, leading to a frantic upgrade in living space.
Then came the second child. Panic set in again as you realized the arrival of another baby meant even more clothes, toys, books, and yes, lots of diapers. So, you moved to a bigger place, filled every corner with belongings, and now find yourself feeling cramped again.
But do we genuinely need all this extra space? Unless you have an enormous family like the Duggars, probably not! Even so, I recently welcomed my second child and opted for a larger apartment. We filled it up instantly and still feel short on space.
At some point, we must draw the line. The “disease of more” can spiral out of control. It’s contagious, spreading the idea to our children that happiness is tied to accumulating more stuff. This mentality is far more hazardous than a bowling ball falling from a cluttered closet!
Kids don’t actually require as much as we think. Many parents become so focused on ensuring their children have everything—often in an effort to provide what they themselves missed—that they overlook how little is truly needed. Children thrive on our love and attention far more than on the latest gadget or toy.
So, the next time you find yourself envious of someone with a bigger house or debating whether you need the latest tech, take a moment to reflect. You might already have all you need. Instead of fixating on expanding your space, consider maximizing what you already have. After all, the smaller your living area, the easier it is to embrace and enjoy it.
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Summary:
In parenting, the desire for “more” can lead to overwhelming stress and clutter, both emotionally and physically. While children often seem to need more toys and gadgets, what they truly crave is our attention and love. As parents, we should focus on maximizing our current living space rather than constantly seeking expansion. Emphasizing less can lead to greater happiness, as well as a more fulfilling family life.