Paper Town Home @[email protected]
37K subscribers - no pronouns :c
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
I’m filming a Q&A soon—and I’d love to here from you!
While I declutter my linen closet (it's gotten a little out of hand 🧺), I’ll be answering questions about:
• Decluttering + routines
• Life with kids 👶
• Screen time 📱
• YouTube 🎥
• Faith + family rhythms 🙏
• Really, anything you like ;)
Drop your questions below, and I’ll answer as many as I can while sorting through my toiletries. Can’t wait to chat with you in the video!
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Exciting news! My episode on The Mind Your Home Podcast with @MiaDanielle goes live tomorrow, May 15th, at 6 AM PT—can’t wait for you to hear it! 🎙️ #MindYourHome
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If you don’t have a weekly routine, you’re basically navigating without a map.
But with one?
You can swerve, detour, even go a little off-road — and still end up exactly where you want to be.
Here's how to build one that actually works:
STEP ONE – Master Your Daily Grind
If your daily routines still feel like juggling flaming swords, pause. Don’t layer on weekly planning yet. Get your dailies to feel automatic — like brushing your teeth or reaching for coffee before your eyes are open.
STEP TWO – Map the Mission Together
Unless you’re solo-parenting (seriously, you deserve a crown), your weekly plan has to be a team effort. Sit down with your partner and block out the week together. Collaboration = Sustainability.
STEP THREE – Simplicity or Bust
Keep it to 2–3 main blocks per day — things like Work/School, Family Time, Rest.
Example: Saturday for us = Clean/Reno, Nap/Rest, Family Adventure (which might be a hike, a pool party at Grandma’s, or building a giant cardboard rocket ship with our Makedo kit).
STEP FOUR – Expect Disruptions
Doctor’s appointments, field trips, dentist visits from the underworld — these will pop up. Track them outside your weekly routine. That framework should stay steady, not shapeshift every time someone sneezes.
STEP FIVE – Make It Visual
A system you can’t see is a system you’ll forget. Use one weekly and one monthly calendar — and place them somewhere visible. Mine live in the kitchen, next to the coffee. It works.
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Big shoutout to Makedo for sponsoring today’s post and for creating the hands-down coolest way for families to turn old cardboard into epic play. (Think: tools even a toddler can use, without losing a finger.) Ready to try it?
Go to make.do and get 10% off with code PAPERTOWNHOME at checkout.
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25 slow living activities to do with kids (that will make life feel a little more peaceful and connected)
🌱 Let your kids go wild, jumping in puddles and getting ridiculously messy. Suit up your kids up in rain suits and boots, then let them revel in the pure joy of puddle jumping. Bonus: The rain suits are lifesavers for dewy morning slides at the park!
🌱 Create your own play things. Use the readily available material of cardboard to create unique, handmade playthings. From dollhouses to rocket ships, these creations can be safely and easily assembled using Makedo’s reusable and child-friendly tools.
🌱 Share the joy of baked goods with your friends and family by making an Amish Friendship Bread Starter.
🌱 Lose your phone for an hour every day.
🌱 Go on a walk and leave the agenda at the door. Take it slow and let your kids examine leaves, inspect bugs, and marvel at the small wonders of the world.
🌱 Dream up a kitchen garden together. Involve your kids in planning a garden: browse seed catalogs, draw layouts, and explore their favorite produce at a market. Then, plant together and watch their excitement grow alongside the veggies!
🌱 Balance the day with in-breaths and out-breaths. Alternate between quiet moments, like reading, and energizing activities, like outdoor play. Finding this rhythm helps your family flow through the day without burnout or chaos.
🌱 Visit a unique natural formation. Take a mini adventure! Give your kids an appreciation for the wilderness by exploring waterfalls, sand dunes, caves, etc. Remember to take safety precautions! Nature is lovely and needs to be respected.
🌱 Go on a senses hunt. Turn a hike into a sensory exploration. Encourage your kids to notice the rustling leaves, earthy smells, and textures of bark. Caution: Taste only the snacks you brought!
🌱 Make homemade puppets and put on a puppet show. Gather craft supplies and let your kids’ imaginations run wild making puppets. If puppet shows are new to your kids, demonstrate it by acting out their favorite picture book with the puppets they made.
🌱 Give your kids worn-out pots and pans for a mud kitchen. Forget fancy setups—just toss old kitchenware into the backyard and let the muddy concoctions begin. It’s messy, creative, and endlessly entertaining.
🌱 Make one room the family haven. Designate a cozy space for togetherness. Fill it with blankets, pillows, books, ambient light, and calming music — making it a go-to spot for unwinding as a family.
🌱 Create a “family bucket list” for the year. Gather your family and brainstorm adventures and simple joys to pursue together. Add childhood favorites for a touch of nostalgia.
🌱 Look for rainbows after a storm. When the rain clears, head outside with your kids to search the skies. It’s a beautiful reminder of hope and nature’s magic.
🌱 Have a dance party at home. Cue up your favorite playlist, turn the lights down, and boogie with your kids. “Disco Night” is the perfect way to release energy and have some carefree fun!
🌱 Keep a family nature journal. Document your outdoor adventures with notes, photos, and rubbings of the natural materials you discover. A shared nature journal becomes a treasure trove of memories and inspires kids to notice the details of the world.
🌱 Plant kitchen herbs. Rather than taking on a full garden, start small with potted herbs like basil or mint. They’re easy to grow, fun for kids to harvest, and make every meal feel fresher and more flavorful.
🌱 Make homemade playdough with dried herbs. Add calming scents like lavender or rosemary to homemade playdough for a sensory activity that’s both soothing and fun for little hands.
🌱 Make homemade pizza and cook it on the grill. Turn pizza night into a family event. Kids can roll dough, add toppings, and watch as the grill transforms their creations into delicious masterpieces.
🌱 Host a tea party with homemade treats. Fancy or casual, a tea party with mini sandwiches and cookies is delightful. Let your kids play host to their friends, pouring tea and practicing their best party manners.
🌱 Start the day with calming music and candlelight. Light a candle, play gentle music, and create a serene start to the day. It’s a simple ritual that sets the tone for a peaceful, grounded morning.
🌱 Co-exist. Spend time together enjoying separate activities. Read books side-by-side or work on individual projects in the same room. This teaches kids the value of shared presence without constant interaction.
🌱 Go on a bug and critter hunt. Equip your kids with nets and containers, then let them explore the tiny creatures of your backyard or park. Just be sure to release your finds!
🌱 Have a family picnic at a favorite park. Pack a basket, grab a blanket, and enjoy an outdoor feast. Let the kids pick a park, and enjoy the simplicity of eating under the open sky.
Download the list of 100 slow living activities with kids to keep the ideas rolling: airtable.com/app1UICiQE2pdbUIg/shr1hzpRlSGqb3mjp
A HUGE thank you to Makedo for sponsoring today’s post and for creating my family’s favorite new activity of upcycling cardboard and creating our own playthings with their easy to use tools!
We love their Create Kit because it provides enough tools for our family of four to all build together. Visit make.do and get 10% off your first order by using the affiliate code PAPERTOWNHOME at checkout.
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I haven’t even gotten a chance to finish this podcast, but I just have to share it. So much wisdom!
Hope everyone is well! New video next Monday 😉
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I’m thrilled to be a featured speaker at The Modern Mom’s Simple Home Reimagined Summit this weekend—and you’re invited for FREE! I honestly can't wait to be learning right alongside you. 😊
It all starts this Friday, with presentations coming out all weekend. There are over 20 experts sharing how to streamline routines, master your space, and create a home that truly supports you.
Get your free ticket now for 24-hour access to each session, or upgrade for lifetime access and exclusive bonuses!
Here’s a sneak peek of a few of the sessions:
✅ How To Go From Overwhelmed To Organized With A Home Management System — Chelsi Jo
✅ Take Control of Your Time With These 5 Micro-habits for Today’s Ambitious Moms — Sade Kelly
✅ The 30-Min-Method to Declutter Toys – Erika Kirk (me!)
✅ How to Create an Intentional Dream Wardrobe — Emily Elizabeth May
✅ Simple Apartment and Urban Living for the Modern Mom — Khrystyne Jaspers
✅ A Space That Defies Anxiety — Krystal Chong
Don’t miss out—grab your free ticket today (affiliate): www.miadanielle.com/a/2148052415/QFV5Jv24
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Alright, I'm making a homeschool video for February, but I'm open to ideas on how to make it interesting. What aspects of homeschooling would you guys be most into seeing? Let me know in the comments or weigh in on the poll.
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Your antidote to the hustle of modern parenting.
I'm Erika, after burning out in the early months of parenting, I discovered the transformative power of minimalism and slow living. Now, I help overwhelmed parents reclaim the time and energy they need to connect with their kids by simplifying their home and daily routines—so they can stop feeling frustrated, exhausted, and resentful of their never-ending to-do list.
Help me learn about the biggest struggles you're facing by completing this two-question survey: bit.ly/PTH-roadblocks-2025
For the creators or brands interested in collaborating, please complete this quick form and I'll be in touch within one week: bit.ly/PTH-collabs-25