How to Parent Less --- But Raise More

People often assume that good parenting means long hours of quality time and constant interaction. Moms may feel guilty for every moment not spent constructively engaged with their kids, while dads wonder if they should get up and play instead of resting on the couch. Of course, parenting does take time and attention, but maybe not as much as you think.

What if I told you there's a surprisingly simple way to support your child’s growth and development without requiring more time, energy, or new parenting techniques? Would you like to know an easy shift you can make at home that has a lasting impact on your child’s character, intellect, and creativity? One that doesn’t require you to master communication strategies or spend hours on emotional coaching? My favorite parenting “hack” doesn’t involve doing more, it’s about setting up an environment that does the heavy lifting for you.

Just as a gardener prepares the ideal conditions for plants—choosing the right soil, moisture, and sunlight—parents can prepare an environment that nurtures their children’s positive traits. By thoughtfully choosing toys, books, activities, and even the background influences in our homes, we can allow creativity, resilience, and focus to flourish while gently weeding out the elements that stifle healthy growth.

Kids don’t need us to entertain them constantly, and they certainly don’t need nonstop adult-led activities. What they do need is the freedom and space to engage with enriching materials that build character and invite exploration and imagination.

If you want to foster creativity, concentration, self-expression, and independence, stock your home with building materials, craft supplies, inspiring books, and wholesome games. Choose stories where characters speak kindly and act courageously. Skip the ones that normalize disrespect, selfishness, or rudeness. For family bonding, choose games that encourage cooperation over competition. Surround your children with uplifting music, meaningful artwork, and Biblical verses that offer guidance and inspiration.

When a child spends twenty minutes constructing a Lego fort, designing a marble run, or piecing together a collage, they’re not just passing time. They’re strengthening fine motor skills, focus, frustration tolerance, and creative problem-solving. They don’t need you to direct their play. They need space, supplies, and unstructured time to explore and figure things out on their own.

Of course, creating an enriching environment also means intentionally removing harmful influences. If a child’s go-to for boredom is a digital device, they will learn to numb their emotions, suppress their creativity, and disconnect from others—none of which support healthy development. Similarly, exposure to books or music that promote negativity, profanity, or dishonor will have a damaging spiritual and emotional impact.

We see this truth reflected in this week’s Torah portion, Shmini (Leviticus 9:1–11:47), where God instructs the Children of Israel to avoid non-kosher foods—not for health reasons, but because of their spiritual effects on the Jewish soul:

"You shall not eat... anything that crawls on its belly... for they are an abomination. You shall not make yourselves impure... For I Hashem am your God: you shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, for I am holy..."

Ancient Jewish wisdom teaches that kosher laws are about spiritual refinement. Just as creative craft supplies, dignified literature and uplifting music nourish the soul, corrupt media and inappropriate content degrade it. The same goes for food—what we put into our bodies (and minds) shapes us deeply.

Our children don’t need parents constantly entertaining. But they do need us to create environments that support their souls, minds, and bodies.

Would you like specific suggestions of toys, books, and games I recommend and time-tested techniques that encourage your children toward independent play? That’s exactly why I created my courses Nurturing Toddlers and Leading Your Family to Summer. Inside, I offer curated resources and direct purchasing links to help you easily create a home environment where your children can truly thrive.

And in honor of Mother’s Day, I’m offering 10% off all self-paced courses with the code MomLove—a small gift to the amazing moms of Mother’s Guidance. Give yourself or a mom you love the encouragement, tools, and faith-based guidance to raise flourishing children with confidence and grace.