Growing minimalist

During the time I did childcare in several places and countries, one thing stood out way too different from my childhood: more toys, less creativity.
Is there something else really more important and impacting life than toys? Don't get me wrong, there are useful and constructive toys, I am in for that but not to fill a room. It saddened me to see kids with a room crowded with toys and saying "I am bored".
When I was around 6, one day I went with mom to this lady's house. While my mom was doing the therapy massage to her, I was playing with the little daughter, a year younger than I. That kitchen set was cool and I dreamed of having one in my house! So I tactically asked my parents -maybe they would get one for me. They did not say anything. I knew that silence meant a "no". My dad just patted me on the head and went off to his finance books. It was ok, I did not cry. At that age, we were still sleeping in the same room/small house while my dad was building the bigger house, so I only had one blue stuffed dog and one doll. Even after I got a room for myself, it was actually the library with the big clear ceiling, and still did not have it filled with toys, but books of all subjects, languages, sizes!.
Anyway, the next day after I asked my parents for a kitchen set, my dad brought this little stool -painted in green (he made it!)- and said: This is for you, you are ready to help in the kitchen. And my mom said "Let's play kitchen for real. I am going to teach you cooking". That was it. Now I do not starve and I know that it is not difficult to boil water... Nope, beyond that, I treasure that moment, it was the needed connection and I felt a big girl. My first rice was a disaster, my dad still said it was good but it was burnt. But little by little I learned all the basics and eventually when my mom had her bakery business, I was there. I was her second hand.
The other time I spent playing with my dad was drawing. That man who could not finish school taught me to write, read, and draw.
Then when I was about 9, the Librarian teacher at my elementary school -somehow- discovered I like drawing. So every Monday she asked me to come to the library during the playtime, while the other classmates were playing soccer, tag, volleyball, etc, I was in that tiny library room drawing in big size dimension the images from these books across the four big blackboards. We only had one book, so the teacher had this splendid idea to have the drawings and while reading the book aloud, everyone would be able to see the images...and imagine. This was way before we had tablets and computers! The drawings became more challenging -the teacher started asking for more complex pictures! But it was a wonderful time for school. First I owe my dad his time and the teacher for believing in me.
While thinking about that my childhood, I got raised eyebrows one day at the middle school when talking with other girls in the group that I never had toys. They thought that I had barbies, teddy bears, anything a girl wish to have.
I think that my parents took the best decision, not because they would not be able to afford it, they could! Because they had in mind to teach me the value of other life skills that I surely would not have been able to learn.
And why talking about this? because this is something my husband and I talk about, we remember childhood. He grew up in a different country, a totally different culture from mine. We always like to exchange our childhood stories, we were so different, we are so different. We learn from each other.
However, we agree we want to continue being minimalist and raise our children with real skills in life that will prepare them for an uncertain future, but they will be ready to face it without any fear and appreciate life.

While I was thinking about this... I wondered if there are other parents that thought the same as my parents? I found this interesting article which I also invite you to learn. In a world of technology (and you are using technology to read this) we are losing the touch of so many simple things in life.
A friend said recently "my husband and I are getting rid of all the toys, our kiddo is immersed in painting so we will encourage that!", I applaud them for that. That kiddo will always remember that moment.
My advice, after you are done reading this, if you have kids, go and hug them and spend time creating and teaching! Put that cellphone a.w.a.y.

https://www.becomingminimalist.com/why-fewer-toys-will-actually-benefit-your-kids/