Let me introduce you to our 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge!

This challenge is a step-by-step guide to lead you through the process of minimizing your kitchen in a way that is simple and causes the least amount of anxiety and overwhelm as possible.

The kitchen often holds the most items of any other room in the house.

It can be extremely difficult to sort through.

My goal is to help Minimalism feel easy to embrace, by taking things one baby step at a time.

30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge

So many want to minimize but don't know where to start.

There will be no questions about what to do with our 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge.

You can feel confident and successful on Day 1.

Minimalism only gets better from there!

What is the 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge?

The 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge is a step-by-step guide to sorting through ALL of the contents in your kitchen.

Each day of the challenge includes prompts to sort through specific items you may own to determine if you need them, or can discard or donate them.

There are no specific numbers attached to how many of each item one should keep, discard, or donate. 

Every individual, couple, and family is different.

How do I Use the 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge?

First download and print off the FREE 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge after subscribing to our free newsletter. 

The FREE 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge is a Subscriber Only Freebie.

Directions to subscribe to our FREE newsletter and access the printable can be found at the bottom of this post.

Once you have your 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge, set aside a time of day to complete each day's challenge. 

How much time you need to complete each challenge will depend on how many items you have in your kitchen.

Determine which day you will start the challenge and mark it on a calendar.

On each day of the challenge, look at the theme of the day and the items you will sort through.

There is a checklist provided for each day of the challenge to help you keep track of your progress.

Kitchens contain SO MANY items.

Our 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge includes ALL of them.

The font size on our checklist needed to be small in order to fit everything. (My apologies.)

Don't hesitate to grab a magnifying glass if you need one or enlarge the printable to poster size so it fits on multiple pages.

Start with the first items listed on the daily checklist.

Sort through those items in your kitchen deciding what you will keep, discard, and donate.

Return items that you will keep to a desired location in your kitchen.

Place items that will be discarded and donated in designated bins or boxes to be taken to the dump or choice of donation centers.

Once you have completed all three steps listed above, check off the items on your daily checklist.

Don't forget to actually put discarded items in the garbage and items for donation in your vehicle.

If you do not own an item on a daily checklist, check it off, knowing you do not need to go through the process of deciding whether or not you keep, discard, or donate items.

There will be days when you decide you will keep all items listed on the checklist. 

That's okay!

Once you've sorted through all of them deciding to keep them all, you still check the box.

You have completed the minimalist task for the day.

How Do I Decide What I Keep, Discard, or Donate while Completing the 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge?

What Items Do I Keep During the 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge?

When going through the 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge, you want to keep items in your kitchen that you NEED and/or absolutely LOVE and can't bear to part with.

During the first day of the 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge, you sort through some of your cookware starting with pots and saucepans.

What pots and saucepans do you need, love, and use on a regular basis?

What pots and saucepans are absolute musts for special occasions and holidays?

What pots and saucepans do you have with matching lids that are not broken or damaged?

Are there duplicates of some pots and saucepans that you need, love, and use regularly?

These are the items you will choose to keep.

What Items Do I Discard During the 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge?

When going through the 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge you will come across items that are broken.

You may discover that some items are worn to the point that they may not be safe to use anymore.

Some items may be damaged and cannot be repaired.

These are items you will choose to discard.

Discarded items are not items that you would choose to pass on to other people.

What Items Do I Donate During the 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge?

When going through the 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge, you may find that you have duplicate items that you don't need.

You may have just upgraded items and have older ones that can be given to others in need.

Perhaps you're trying to minimize to only kitchen items that are absolutely necessary. 

How many different sizes and variations of items do you really need?

There may be items in your kitchen that you haven't ever used nor plan to use.

When determining items to donate, you may worry that you might give away something that you may need later.

A good rule of thumb is to donate items you haven't used in your kitchen during the last year.

Make sure you account for items only used during the holiday season. 

If you use an item only at Christmas, be sure to keep it, so you don't have to go out and buy a new one next year.

When it comes to infant, toddler, and children's kitchen items you may want to consider holding on to items longer that you're currently not using.

You may have more children and need them again.

Your children are too young to use the kitchen items, but may be ready later.

Usually I keep infant, toddler, and children's kitchen items three years without use before discarding them.

Do I have to complete the Minimalist Kitchen Challenge in 30 Days?

The 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge is meant to help those who become overwhelmed easily and have little time on a daily basis to minimize.

If you want to complete the entire checklist in one shot, go for it!

If the Minimalist Kitchen Challenge is too overwhelming to complete in 30 days, feel free to take as much time as you need.

When using this form, my first task is going to be checking off all of the items on the checklist I do NOT own.

Minimizing is VERY easy when you don't have the items to begin with. Lol.

I'll then attack the rest of the list day by day.

You can complete this list as slowly or as quickly as you'd like.

What I love most about the 30 Day Minimalist Kitchen Challenge is that it gives you such a fabulous view of just how much is in your kitchen. 

Whether you discard or donate a few items, or several boxes, you're making progress AND you learn what you need and LOVE in your kitchen.

To receive your free printable, subscribe to our FREE newsletter by following the directions below.

Directions on How to Obtain Subscriber Only Freebies

1. Click on the Subscriber's link at the bottom of this post.

2. Subscribe to our free newsletter.

3. Open the thank you message you receive in your e-mail, after subscribing. (Be sure to check your spam folder, as sometimes it ends up there.)

4. Click the confirmation link in the thank you message.

5. Once the confirmation is complete, you will receive another e-mail message with the Subscriber Only Freebies.

6. Click on link.

7. Find the printable pack you are looking for listed in alphabetical order, click on it, and voila!

We hope you enjoy your free printable.

Note: If you are already a newsletter subscriber, open your most recent newsletter. At the bottom you will find a link to the Subscriber Only Freebies page, along with the password in case you forgot it.

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Why do I stay married to an autistic person?

This is a question many wonder about, especially those who also know or may think they are married to a partner with autism and are struggling.

After eighteen years of marriage and four children, three of whom are also on the autism spectrum, I think it's time I answered this question.

Why Do I Stay Married to an Autistic Person?

1. I fell in love with ALL of my husband, including his autistic traits.

There are so many things about my husband that I love. 

So many of those things are part of his autism. 

This has never changed during our eighteen years of marriage.

His autism passions only benefit our family.

I love how he researches and studies everything, which leads to such great conversations.

He is an introvert like me, who puts his family first.

Conversation is so honest and forward, without need to worry or wonder what things really mean.

2. I separated autism from trauma and other mental health issues.

I want to be the first to admit that separating autism from trauma was extremely difficult.

For the longest time I couldn't tell the difference between the two.

Now that I know the difference, I can say with certainty, my husband's autism isn't what causes struggles in our marriage.

Trauma he's experienced and carried with him without getting the right help causes problems.

In any marriage trauma can cause significant issues if left untreated, whether a person is on the autism spectrum or not.

Autistic people suffer SO MUCH trauma with a tremendous lack of sensory and emotional supports.

Instead of helping autistic people work through that trauma, many try to train the trauma response out of them through ABA.

It's so ironic to me that incentives and rewards are used to silence emotions to achieve desired behaviors.

This approach is so backwards and can be so damaging to an autistic person's mental health, causing anxiety, depression and so much more.

There is a reason that those with autism develop co-occurring mental health issues. 

Don't even get me started on the bullying that those with autism receive.

Autism has not been the reason for my husband's and my marriage struggles.

Mental health struggles and trauma are at play.

After continued individual counseling for both of us and a commitment to both work on ourselves, our marriage has only grown stronger.

I am thankful for my husband's loyalty and commitment to our marriage and family, even when we were both a mess due to past and present trauma in our lives.

3. My husband and I are both willing to work hard and better ourselves for each other and our family.

Neither one of us are of the opinion that we are who we are and will never change.

This opinion is not an autism opinion, it's a belief born from trauma.

I have never met an autistic person who didn't want to better themselves and their relationships.

My husband and I know we are constantly seeking to be our best selves for each other and our family.

When mental health struggles challenged our marriage, both of us were willing to seek help and improve ourselves.

This wasn't easy, especially when we were both really struggling.

Autism didn't cause these struggles.

My husband's acceptance of his autism and autistic traits actually helped him be so diligent in obtaining help.

Autistic people know how to work hard.

With the proper supports they can accomplish anything.

A healthy and thriving relationship between partners is possible.

4. Every marriage has struggles, I choose autism

I look at my friends, their marriages, and the challenges they experience.

Some experience the death of a child.

Others experience significant health issues like cancer, strokes, or heart attacks.

There are car accidents that lead to loss of limbs, life in a wheel chair, and more.

Autism may be considered a struggle to some, but if I had to choose a struggle after 18 years of marriage, I'd choose autism every time.

I don't like surprises.

I have a huge fear of the unknown.

I like knowing what to expect.

My husband's autism helps me in these areas.

5. My husband is the perfect co-parent for our autistic children.

When our first two children were diagnosed as autistic, I'll be the first to admit that there was a sharp learning curve and period of grief.

I had no idea what I was doing and society led me to believe that my kids would miss out on things because of their autism.

This couldn't be farther from the truth.

By the time my third child was diagnosed, I felt comfortable embracing autism.

When my husband was diagnosed, so many more aspects of him made more sense. 

It was as if I could finally see him and understand who he was.

His diagnosis also helped me not worry about our kids.

I was able to prioritize what really mattered and what didn't when it came to helping our kids.

My husband has been able to provide such great perspective when I didn't know or understand so many things.

He understands our children so much more than others because he knows what it feels like to be autistic.

6. Everyone has different sensory preferences, this is not just an autism thing.

Some struggle with the sensory preferences of their marriage partner, relating those sensory struggles to autism.

It is true that those on the autism spectrum struggle with sensory sensitivities and cravings, but so do others not on the autism spectrum.

Everyone has preferences related to each of the senses.

These preferences are influenced by so many aspects of life, including past trauma, moods, and more.

I have sensory preferences that are different than my husband's. 

Through experiences and communication we have learned what each other's sensory preferences are and how to support each other in them. 

Sensory preferences don't have to be the same in order for a marriage to work.

In most cases, opposites attract. Lol.

7. I can support my husband in his executive functioning strengths and weaknesses.

Those who are on the autism spectrum often struggle with executive functioning. 

Please be aware that those with depression, traumatic brain injuries, personality disorders, ADHD, and so many other diagnoses also struggle with executive functioning.

Executive functioning weaknesses can be a source of tension in a marriage, especially when one partner expects the other to be successful in accomplishing tasks in the same way with accuracy.

In our marriage, my husband struggles with executive functioning.

My executive functioning skills are superb. 

When I was able to accept my husband's weakness in executive functioning and support him in receiving help (at times being that help), our marriage became so much healthier.

We may do things differently than other couples around us, but we do what works for us, focusing on each other's strengths.

7. We balance each other out.

I am not autistic. My husband is.

In most situations we do a fantastic job at providing balance when it comes to making decisions.

Our perspectives are very different.

When we choose to listen to each other and take perspective (which autistic people can do), decisions have the best outcomes.

Both of us look at problems in very different ways.

When we put our heads together, we are unstoppable, because we've considered absolutely everything between the two of us.

I love listening to and learning from completely different perspectives.

8. My husband accepts me.

Yes, my husband is on the autism spectrum.

But the truth of the matter is, everyone has something.

He not only accepts my anxiety and congenital ectodermal dysplasia, he embraces these things about me and loves me for them.

My husband may like his rituals and routines and can be a bit rigid about them.

However, he accepts that I love to be spontaneous and don't like doing the same things all the time.

I can't ask for a better cheerleader who loves and supports me, despite all of my flaws.

Love goes two ways. 

Autistic people can be the best marriage partners.

They are so loyal and steadfast. 

I can't imagine my life without my husband and autism.

Autism is a strength he brings to our marriage, not a weakness.

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 A Sick Kit for Kids is the perfect resource for families with children who:

• Struggle with Anxiety
• Are on the Autism Spectrum
• Struggle with Communication
• Have Suffered Trauma and Experience PTSD
• Struggle with Interoception (the 8th Sense)
• Diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder
• Struggle with Mood Disorders
• And more!

A Sick Kit for Kids brings comfort and peace. 

The child knows she'll be safe, can rest, and be taken care of when not feeling well, no matter her symptoms.

The content of sick kits may vary from kid to kid based on needs and preferences. 

In this post I'm sharing our youngest daughter's sick kit.

A Sick Kit for Kids

Our youngest daughter, Sunshine has been diagnosed with a mood disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and is also on the Autism Spectrum with intellectual impairment.

Due to past trauma before she was adopted, as well as trauma in residential placements over the years, and being separated from her family in treatment during COVID-19, Sunshine fears she will die every time she gets sick.

If others are sick, she thinks she's sick (which may or may not be true).

Sickness triggers depressive episodes and sends her anxieties through the roof.

We've found it crucial to have a sick kit on hand for Sunshine when she's sick and when others in the home are sick and she's worried she may become sick too.

What to Include in a Sick Kit for Kids

Trash Can

All of my kids know the first thing I ask them to do when they are sick is to get a trash can.

Each of them has one in their room.

Whether it's a runny nose or a stomach ache the trash can is so helpful.

I love making sure there are small trash cans around so the kids can carry them where they need to, but I also make sure they are big enough for when a child may need to vomit.

Every trash can is different so everyone knows which one is theirs. 

Over the years I've found our local dollar store to have a great variety to choose from, however they do break easily when stepped on or tripped over.

Tissues

Each of our kids have their own tissue boxes in their rooms. We also have tissue boxes in almost every room of our home.

When a child is sick, they grab their tissue box and carry it with them (along with their trash can) throughout the house wherever they go. 

This helps cut down on germs.

Dirty tissues immediately go in a trash can.

To help distinguish tissue boxes, I try to pick up a different design for each person. 

Our local dollar store tends to have some really cute ones. 

Sunshine's last tissue box at home was Barbie themed.

I personally prefer the Kleenex brand with Aloe.

If you're looking for resources to help your children learn how to blow their nose, know we have one that's absolutely perfect!

Self-Care Hygiene Bonus Freebie

This freebie contains visuals for washing hands, washing hair, blowing nose and more!

Saline Spray

Due to Sunshine's mood disorder meds, she is unable use medications that our other children can use when she's congested. 

We have found that having Simple Saline Nasal Mist is the best option for her.

What I love most about this is that it can be used as often as she feels she needs to use it.

This promotes independence and provides a sense of control for her when she's sick.

Our other kids use Tylenol Cold and Flu or a generic version of it.

Throat Drops

Mixing cough medicine with mood disorder meds can also be tricky so we tend to avoid them with Sunshine. 

Instead, she thoroughly enjoys diet-friendly throat drops. 

Again, these throat drops promote independence and provide a sense of control when sick because she can choose when she uses them.

We do set some perimeters, to ensure we're following dosage instructions, but other than that, Sunshine can ask for one when she feels she needs one.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

Aquaphor is our go to ointment for scratches, cuts, eczema dry skin, chapped lips, and so much more. 

When kids have runny noses and are constantly blowing their noses, causing dry and cracked skin, we use Aquaphor, especially before bed.

When congestion causes chapped and cracked lips, we use Aquaphor as often as needed to help.

Sunshine tends to feel like her senses are on fire when she's starting to get sick and when she's starting to feel better.

A deep massage with Aquaphor to help with her itchy eczema skin can help so much.

Thermometer

None of our kids enjoy having their temperatures taken, especially when they have to hold the thermometer in their mouths, under their tongue, or have something stuck in their ear.

Both of our girls are notorious for having ear infections.

We have found the thermometer in the picture above to be our absolute favorite.

It is super easy to use.

All of the kids can use it by themselves.

Sunshine LOVES that the colors change to help her understand what the numbers mean. 

We use these colors to help her understand when she needs medicine for a fever and how it helps.

When others are sick in the home and she worries about her being sick, she can grab the thermometer and check her own temperature.

She feels so relieved when she sees that the thermometer shows green.

Oxygenator for Finger Tips

Ever since Sunshine has been afraid she will die of COVID-19 like her great grandfather did, we keep an oxygenator in our Sick Kit for Kids.

We've taught Sunshine what the numbers mean, so she can assure herself, she's okay.

The Oxygenator has also come in handy with Princess, as she struggles with severe anxiety and panic attacks.

Keeping track of her pulse when anxious helps Princess know what she needs to do to help herself so she doesn't pass out or need bed rest. (Yes it's that severe.)

Acetaminophen

We have to be super cautious with medications that may cause issues with Sunshine's mood disorder meds.

When it comes to pain relievers and fever reducers, Acetaminophen is our best option.

I try to avoid dyes and other additives when Sunshine is sick as they only aggravate anxiety, sadness, and anger.

Genexa is a clean option that we can trust.

Dinomite and Princess usually have Advil in their sick kits. 

Bulldozer uses adult Tylenol as he's allergic to ibuprofen. 

Ice Packs

Princess is notorious for her high fevers. There have been times when Bulldozer also struggles with really high fevers.

During those very sensitive situations where the thermometer reads red and we're still waiting for medicine to work, we always keep ice packs on hand to wrap around the kids' heads and wrists.

The kids tend to like the size and texture of these ice packs best.

If you choose to put together your sick kit together ahead of time and are not planning to store items in the freezer, a good alternative to these ice packs are cooling towels. 

Water with Electrolytes

At times it can be extremely difficult to encourage kids to drink fluids when they're sick.

For this reason, when someone's sick, we immediately switch from tap water to water with electrolytes.

This is especially true if someone comes down with a stomach bug.

I try to avoid drinks with dyes, extra sugar, etc. as they do influence behaviors.

Wipes

Even though most of our kids are teenagers, we don't go anywhere without these sensitive skin Pampers baby wipes. 

They are so helpful to have around, especially when kids are sick!

We use them to wash sticky hands and faces after taking liquid medicine.

We use them when a child misses their tissue while blowing their nose.

We use them when clumsy accidents happen, because kids don't feel good.

They're an absolute life saver, especially when kept right next to the sick kid.

Germ-X

Going to a sink to wash hands every time you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze when sick is absolutely no fun. 

We keep Germ-X on hand for these moments to help with the spread of germs and to allow a sick child to stay in one place until they need to get up to go to the bathroom.

Crackers

When a kiddo is complaining of a stomach ache and we've established it's related to being sick, we invite her to take it easy and stick to bland foods that won't aggravate her tummy.

Crackers are the top of the list when it comes to bland foods.  

These crackers are ones that all of our kids can eat and don't cause further stomach upset. 

Applesauce

Sunshine isn't one who understands she should let her tummy rest when it's feeling upset. 

She is not a child who likes crackers and breads very much either.

We always make sure we have unsweetened applesauce pouches on hand for Sunshine.

She loves them and considers them a special treat.

Banana Chips

We are fans of the BRAT diet for very short time periods when kids have an upset stomach. 

To ensure that we have foods on hand that the kids will eat when they have an upset stomach, we keep banana chips on hand. 

They are the perfect nonperishable alternative to fresh bananas and provide a crunch, which can be a pleasant sensory experience when sick.

JELL-O

Once we know a child has fallen ill with a stomach bug that includes vomiting and/or diarrhea we make some JELL-O to have on hand in the refrigerator.

I try to make sure I don't use red dye and that JELL-O is sugar free so that it doesn't trigger other behavior challenges.

Sunshine just happens to love all things lemon flavored, so this is a great option for her.

Flushable Wipes

Diarrhea is absolutely NO fun. 

When Sunshine has an accident she is so embarrassed and does not want help cleaning up. 

Flushable wipes are our best option in these cases. 

Due to our septic system, we opt not to flush them. She uses a garbage can instead.

But, the wipes allow her to be independent in a difficult situation.

Sunshine doesn't like the idea of using baby wipes in a situation like this because then she feels like a baby, which is why we purchase these ones that are meant for teenagers and adults too.

Blanket

Nothing helps more than a soft comfy blanket when sick. 

This is Sunshine's favorite sick blanket.

She keeps it downstairs to use in the living room.

I love that it's big enough to cover her whole body and keeps her nice and warm while providing sensory input she enjoys.

Pillow

An extra pillow is always a must when sick.

Pillows help to keep the head elevated when congested and coughing.

They also provide extra comfort when resting.

Sunshine can never have enough pillows on hand.

We tend to use dust mite protectors on our pillows to help with extra allergy and sensitivity aggravation while sick. 

Stuffed Animals

Sunshine's number one comfort item is a big stuffed animal, this is especially true when she's sick.

She does not go anywhere without her big stuffed animal with her.

Her stuffed animal provides sensory input she enjoys and is a coping strategy when she feels super yucky.

Movie

When our kids are super sick, all the want to do is lay around and watch movies and we support that until they're feeling up to doing something else.

Depending on how sick and what they're sick with, they also enjoy reading and coloring.

This past year while at home, the day always started with cartoons. 

Sunshine's favorite was Blues Clues and You. 

When she was sick, she would most often continue with her morning shows for much longer.

How to Put Together a Sick Kit for Kids

Having all you need for a sick kit on hand in your home can make a world of difference for some kids.

You don't necessarily have to keep all items in the sick kit together, unless you want to.

If you do choose to keep them together, the goal is to keep everything contained to a trash can, backpack, and stuffed animal.

All that really matters is that your child knows everything is ready if and when she gets sick.

While at home, Sunshine's sick kit would help her feel so much better emotionally as her body was sick and trying to heal.

She would start gathering items together for siblings when they became sick.

Over time, all of our kids are learning to know exactly what they need and want when they're sick, which is a skill that will help them so much when they are older.

A Sick Kit for Kids is such an incredible resource to have on hand!

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