My five-year-old, like many children, is constantly asking for more. More toys, despite having barely touched half of what he owns. More dessert, even when his mouth is already stuffed with sweets. More time before bed, often resulting in a drawn-out and torturous bedtime routine. His relentless demands leave me yearning for less — less whining, less stress, and sometimes, less chaos!
However, children aren’t the only ones with an insatiable appetite for more. Adults, particularly parents, seem to share this obsession. The demands of parenting can feel overwhelming, leading us to crave more — more free time, more money (who wouldn’t?), more sleep, more babysitters, and, perhaps most importantly, more space.
When you become a parent, it often feels like everything diminishes — your patience, your free time, and even your home can feel smaller. You go from living comfortably in a modest space, perhaps a studio or a small house, to needing more room to accommodate the growing needs of your family. Initially, it may not have felt necessary to have any extra space, but then you began to accumulate baby gear, clothes, toys, and all the other paraphernalia that comes with parenting.
The cycle continues as you have additional children. I recently welcomed my second child and, anticipating the needs of Baby No. 2, we moved into a bigger apartment. But guess what? We filled every corner with stuff, and now it feels like we still lack space.
But do we actually need more? Unless you’re planning on having a dozen kids (shoutout to the Duggars!), I doubt it. I’ve realized that at some point, we have to draw the line. The “disease of more” becomes contagious, infecting our children with the notion that happiness equates to having more. This mindset is harmful, far more dangerous than the occasional accident from a stuffed closet!
Kids truly don’t need as much as we assume. In our quest to provide them with everything — often out of guilt for what we didn’t have — we overlook the fact that children thrive on our attention and love far more than on endless gadgets or toys.
Next time you feel envious of someone with a larger home, or you wonder if you need the latest technology, take a moment to reflect. Chances are, you already possess everything you need. Rather than stressing over expanding your living space, let’s focus on maximizing what we have. After all, the smaller your space, the easier it is to embrace it.
For more insights on parenting and the challenges that come with it, check out this related blog post. And if you’re considering at-home insemination options, Make A Mom offers reputable kits that can help boost fertility. Additionally, for those navigating the complexities of fertility and insurance, UCSF’s fertility resource provides excellent guidance.
In summary, let’s not get caught up in the chase for more. Instead, embrace the richness of what we already have and foster a mindset of gratitude and contentment for our families.
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