Kids & Family
**The Simple Home**

On The Simple Home Podcast, Jenna Arvidson from athomewithkids.com, provides practical solutions for busy families looking to live a simple life. Simple-living is more than just getting rid of the clutter in your home. It’s about letting go of expectations, creating routines and systems that work for your family, living intentionally, and using your time and money for what matters most. Jenna talks about minimalism, simple parenting, money and time management, along with other relevant content for busy moms looking for a better way. She shares her conversations with others who are on their own journey to a lighter, more joyful life. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t have time to enjoy motherhood because of the constant to-do’s and overwhelm that comes with, then this podcast was created just for you.

Latest Episodes:

050: How to Create a Simple Home (Even if You're Busy) Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

I want you to stop living from mess to mess and meal to meal.

From figuring out breakfast, doing laundry, putting the dishes away from the day before, picking up breakfast as your kids make another mess in the living room, you pick up that mess, throw the laundry in the dryer, clean up the accident that just happened in the bathroom, think about what you’re going to have for lunch, all while your kids are asking if you’ll play with them. And on and on it goes until bedtime.

Yes, life is busy, messes are going to happen, and your family needs to be fed, but this stuff doesn’t have to consume your day.

So much of this chaos could be mitigated with a few consistent routines and habits. By getting rid of excess stuff, not the stuff you love, but the stuff you don’t love, you just haven’t gotten around to getting rid of. By finding an organization system that works for you, even if you’ve always struggled with organization (like I have).

Right now you’re probably thinking, I know, but I don’t know where to start! It’s all so constant and there’s never a moment to declutter or organize or even just sit down.

But we can either find a little time right now or wait until our kids are 20 and we’ve missed it all.

In this episode of The Simple Home Podcast, you’ll learn how to create a simple home (even if you're busy) and why that’s so important.

Key Takeaways

Where we’ve come with 50 episodes of The Simple Home Podcast
My hopes for you moving forward
5 Steps to create a simple home
How we can partner together to simplify your home

Links From This Episode

Find this episode of The Simple Home Podcast and others you’ll love on your favorite podcast player, iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and TuneIn! Remember to subscribe on your favorite podcast player so you don’t miss an episode.

049: How to Stay Organized as Your Seasons Change (Interview with Laurie Palau) Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

Trying to stay organized as the seasons of life change is challenging, especially if you have kids.

The amount of stuff that comes into our lives on a daily basis is almost mind blowing sometimes.

One of my biggest struggles in motherhood is being able to manage the different kinds of clutter as my family grows and changes. On top of the clutter, our routines are always changing as well. If you can relate to this, you’re going to love this episode of The Simple Home Podcast.

Laurie Palau, the owner of Simply B Organized, is a professional organizer who helps families all over the nation with her clutter clinics as well as helps other professional organizers build and grow their businesses.

She talks with us today about how to manage clutter and stay organized as your life seasons change.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Where to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the whole process of decluttering.
Why organization is very dependent on processes.
How to stay organized as your family grows.

Links From This Episode

[Bonus Episode] 2 Quick Tips for Stress Free Meal Planning Apr 14, 2020

Show notes

Getting meals on the table can be one of the biggest challenges of raising a family, but it doesn't have to be.
Like many things, we overcomplicate the whole process of cooking for our family.
These 2 tips will help you simplify your family meals and the thought that goes into them.

048: Get Kids in the Kitchen (Interview with Megan Dague) Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

Sometimes the thought of having my kids in the kitchen, cooking with me, makes my heart pump at an almost explosive rate. My mind starts thinking about all the prep work and the mess and the amount of extra time it will take if they help. Not to mention, the sibling bickering and my lack of patience at this time of day.

But Megan has a different view on cooking with kids.

Megan Dague runs The Kennett Kitchen in Pennsylvania and has an online membership opportunity for those who aren’t in her local area. She knows the many benefits of getting kids in the kitchen and more importantly the value in getting families together.

Through fun baking experiences and challenges, she helps families enjoy quality time together while learning something new and rewarding.

In this episode of The Simple Home Podcast, Megan gives us practical advice on cooking with kids and how we can get kids in the kitchen with less "heart pounding" and more joy.

Key Takeaways

The benefits of cooking with kids.
How to get started if you’re feeling overwhelmed or nervous.
What age(s) to start cooking with kids.
Unique activities and challenges that are easy and fun for the whole family.
How to make it feel like less of a chore and more of a planned activity.

Links From This Episode

[Bonus Episode] Minimalism is the Art of Editing Apr 03, 2020

Show notes

I've been obsessed with this idea of editing lately. Maybe it's because we have an opportunity right now to focus on what really matters. Maybe it's because many things I used to take for granted have been 'edited' out of my life, at least for a while.
Whatever the reason, I think it's incredibly valuable to spend time editing every aspect of your life. Take out the things that don't add value or serve you in a positive way so you have the time and capacity for what God has called you to.
In this episode of The Simple Home Podcast i talk about what editing is and how it relates to minimalism, your home, your finances, your schedule, and more.

047: How to Declutter Sentimental Items (Interview with Diane Boden Apr 02, 2020

Show notes

“Clutter is just postponed decisions” Hemphill

This quote is true of all clutter, but especially accurate when talking about sentimental clutter. It’s hard to make decisions about items we feel connected to at a deeper level, but not making the decision just prolongs the amount of time the clutter will stick around.

Getting Stuck When Decluttering Sentimental Items

No matter where you are in your steps to declutter your home, I’m sure you’ve run into a snag when it comes to sentimental items. Even the most seasoned organizers and those who are living a seemingly minimal lifestyle have had trouble (and likely still do) with possessions that hold emotional attachment.

In this episode of The Simple Home Podcast, I talk with fellow podcaster, Diane Biden.

She gives us practical advice for letting go of the clutter that’s holding us down. Some of us deal with emotional ties to our physical belongings more than others, but none of us are immune. Diane shares how, even though she’s been decluttering and editing her life for several years, she still finds herself stuck with some sentimental items.

There’s no one way to go about decluttering sentimental items.

Just like there’s no one way to go about editing all your possessions, there isn’t one right way to go through items that feel hard to let go of. Going one step at a time, however that looks for you, is the best way to make any change. Diane’s tips will help you take the first step in conquering your sentimental clutter.

Key Takeaways

Diane’s journey to Minimalism and the benefits she’s seen.
What sentimental clutter might be holding you back the most.
Why we’re attached to some items more than others.
Tips for going through sentimental clutter and deciding what to keep and what to let go of.
What area you should start in if you’re at the beginning of your simplifying journey. Before dealing with sentimental items.

Links from this episode

[Bonus Episode] Simple Organizing Tasks you Can Do Today Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

If you've been wanting to get rid of clutter and organize your house, but the timing hasn't worked, I encourage you to use some of your time at home right now to get a few things done. Once you have small wins from decluttering, you'll start to feel the impact it can have on your life and you may never find yourself with this amount of time at home again.
In this episode of The Simple Home Podcast i give you a few easy areas you can get started with that won't take long, but will have a big impact.

[Bonus Episode] Keep It Simple- Not Just A Catchy Phrase Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

I'm wired to be productive. I am always looking for ways to be more efficient and get more done in less time, but that's not always the best thing. I often have to remind myself to keep it simple.
While many of us are stuck at home, I see moms trying to do all the things and 'make the most' of this time. I want you to enjoy the extra time you have at home with your family, but slow down. Don't try to play every game, bake every cookie, hike every trail, organize your whole house, paint the furniture, redo the bathroom. Breathe. Keep it simple. I don't want us all to get to the end of this, back to our regular, busy lives, and miss the opportunity we have to breathe.
I'm speaking from a place of humility here. I am one who has to remind myself of this every single day.
It's okay to want to be productive, but not at the cost of what really matters. Keep it simple!

[Bonus Episode] Listener Question: How do I keep my kids occupied all day? Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

This is a question I get often from parents, but especially right now as families are finding themselves at home all day, trying to work, and school they’re kids.
Although this may feel like a overwhelming task, my answer may surprise you. You don’t actually have to keep your kids busy or entertained all day.
In this episode of The Simple Home Podcast I talk about the freedom and benefits that come from not occupying your kids all day and how to make this a reality at your house.

046: My Favorite Decluttering Advice From Experts I Admire Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

Decluttering Advice I Live By

There are so many different ways to go about decluttering and what I've found is it's not a one size fits all thing. It's about finding the decluttering advice that resonates with you and continuing to put tips into practice until you feel good about where you are.

That's why I've collected my favorite decluttering advice into this episode of The Simple Home Podcast. Over the last several years I have been seeking a simpler home. It's like peeling an onion, but the more layers that come off, the lighter I feel.

I've read numerous books, taken classes, watched You Tube videos, and learned from many experts. Along the way, some of the best decluttering advice has really changed my life. Getting to a place where your whole life feels lighter will drastically change your perspective and the way you go about your day-to-day.

Key Takeaways From This Episode