What Does Capitalism Mean to Us as Maverick Mums?
I’m not the sort of person who usually talks about capitalism or patriarchy in an aggressive or confrontational way. I’m not standing on a soapbox shouting about how everything is broken. But as a mum of four living in the countryside of southwest England, I’ve come to believe these are conversations we need to be having—calmly, thoughtfully, and with a focus on action.
Because the truth is, these systems affect all of us, whether we’re aware of it or not. And as mums, we have a unique opportunity—not just to make change in our own lives, but to shape how our children see the world, too.
I also believe capitalism is a huge reason we feel so disconnected today. Disconnected from nature, from our communities, and even from ourselves. When everything is about productivity, growth, and consumption, it leaves little room for the things that truly sustain us: relationships, creativity, and simply being.
But this disconnection isn’t inevitable. We can talk about it. We can name it. And we can do something about it—starting right here, in our own lives and communities.
What is capitalism, and why should we care?
Capitalism is the system we live in, built on constant growth, profit, and consumption. It’s the reason we’re encouraged to work harder, buy more, and achieve bigger goals, always striving for something “better.”
At first, that doesn’t sound too bad—growth creates jobs, right? Profit fuels innovation. But the cracks are hard to ignore. In our everyday lives, we see how this system can:
Create pressure to buy the “best” for our kids, even when we know they don’t need it.
Leave us struggling to balance meaningful work with financial stability.
Erode our sense of community as local resources disappear.
Feed into feelings of guilt, inadequacy, or burnout.
And perhaps most damaging of all, it disconnects us from what really matters. Capitalism encourages us to see ourselves as consumers, not community members. It pushes us to prioritise things over relationships, productivity over rest, and competition over connection.
As mums, we feel this acutely. We’re trying to hold everything together—our families, our work, our communities—while living in a system that pulls us in the opposite direction.
My journey toward simplicity
I’ve felt this disconnection in my own life. Years ago, we lived in a much bigger house—a house we were constantly renovating, filling with furniture, and cluttering with stuff we didn’t need. It felt like a weight, eating up our time, energy, and money.
Then, after volunteering in Tanzania, I came back completely dumbfounded by how we were living. I could barely speak for two weeks as I processed the contrast between the simple, happy life I had seen there and my own life. That experience sparked a huge change.
We sold that house and chose a simpler life. Now, we rent a much smaller house that’s just about big enough for six people. We don’t have a loft full of stuff, and we’ve learned to live with less. We rotate toys and clothes, keep only what we need, and prioritise experiences over possessions. It’s not always easy, but it’s freeing—and it’s how we’ve chosen to reconnect with what matters.
Talking to our children about the world they’re growing up in
As mums, we don’t just live in this system—we pass it on. The stories we tell our children about what matters shape how they see the world. That’s why I think it’s important to talk to our kids about these issues—not in a way that blames or scares them, but in a way that helps them see the power they have to make change.
Here are some small, positive ways we can start:
Teach them to value experiences over things.
Encourage them to share, swap, and reuse rather than always buying new.
Model kindness and fairness in our relationships and choices, so they see collaboration, not competition, as the norm.
Show them how to be curious, to question what they see—on TV, in ads, or online—and to ask: Who benefits from this?
When we talk to our kids about these things, we’re planting seeds of awareness and empowerment. We’re showing them that the world isn’t set in stone—it’s something they can help shape.
What can we do as Maverick Mums?
We don’t have to overhaul the system overnight, but we can take small, meaningful steps in our own lives.
Reconnect with What Matters: Spend time in nature, with your family, or in your community. These are the moments that truly fill us up, far more than the latest gadget or trend.
Simplify: Question the need for “more.” Could we repair, share, or go without?
Support Each Other: Build and lean into communities that prioritise connection over consumption. (This is what Maverick Mums is all about—shared experiences, not transactions.)
Take Action: Whether it’s choosing second-hand over new, shopping locally, or starting conversations with friends, every small step counts.
These aren’t radical acts. They’re everyday choices that slowly chip away at the systems that don’t serve us.
It’s about empowerment, not overwhelm
I’m not here to make anyone feel guilty or hopeless. This isn’t about blaming anyone for the world we live in—it’s about recognising that we have the power to live differently.
I believe that by reconnecting—to ourselves, to each other, and to nature—we can start to heal the disconnection that capitalism has caused. As mums, we already make a thousand decisions every day. What if a few of those decisions could be small acts of change? What if we taught our children that they, too, have the power to question, challenge, and shape the world around them?
We don’t have to leave these problems for someone else to solve. Together, we can start now, with the choices we make and the conversations we have.
Let’s start talking about it
This isn’t an easy topic, but it’s one worth exploring—together. How does capitalism or patriarchy show up in your life? How do you talk to your kids about the world they’re growing up in?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s keep this conversation going—whether it’s in the comments, in our WhatsApp group, or over a paddleboarding session.
Change doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It starts with us, one step, one choice, one conversation at a time.