Names and images have been changed to protect the innocent
I had a toy freak out the other day. Toys were creeping their way through the entire house and were littered all about. We collected them all on the bed and just look at all those toys! When I was a kid we played with a brick and we liked it!
You may be wondering why there are no bed clothes, someone wet the bed. It was one of those days. Crying babies, cluttered toys, burned toast and barking dogs.
Whenever this happens (Freak outs are often scheduled every three months or so) I tell the kids you have too many toys and I can tell because you are not taking care of them so we need to give some away. They understand there are kids who are in need who would appreciate the toys. It is a valuable lesson in charity and simplicity. We can share with others. It blesses them and us.
We got rid of at least 2 big black garbage bags full to donate. We also had a bag of trash. When I decluttered the basement I couldn't believe how much stuff was trash. WHY!? The basement took months of 15 minute intervals the toys took about a day of concentrated exertion. I would have done my calm 15 minute intervals but sometimes you just have to get down in the trenches.
Since the birth of my third child simplicity is a big priority. I want to spend my time with our family not cleaning up stuff.
Some of these techniques have worked for us and others we're going to give a try.
What is the purpose of our toy room?
To provide a safe nurturing environment to explore, imagine and learn
What toys are best for this play room?
a few multi-purpose, open-ended items that encourage imaginative play, social interaction, and healthy bodily movement. (Johnson)
Techniques for establishing and maintaining this playroom
Rotate Toys (This really works! There can be too much of a good thing and toys seem more interesting after they've gone missing for awhile)
Reduce number of battery operated noisy toys (We had this awful toy that would say "Are you going to play with me? No. Bye Bye" While my kids were playing with it. I'm not a big fan of battery operated noisy toys)
Gifts
1. reduce the number of gifts (one special gift is better than 10 future donations)
2. ask for gift requests or gift certificate suggestions
3. Put money toward college fund
4. Gifts of time/adventures. Trip to the zoo, classes, ice cream etc
Unwanted toys can after a time disappear to be donated or stored
We're grateful for every present we've received. Gifts given away help teach our children charity and the toys bless more people so that's great too.
Toy themes (The article by Marsha Johnson has some age appropriate suggestions)
1. building (blocks, Lincoln logs, etc)
2. Dolls (little people, dolls, clothes, etc)
3. Animals (horses, riders, dinosaurs etc)
4. puppets
5. dress up/dramatic play (clothes, accessories, doctor kit, etc)
6. music
7. balls/outdoor play
8. lacing (wood beads, dolls)
9. kitchen play
We use theme buckets. Clear if possible and always labeled.
Cleaning (This is our Achilles heel we can organize and have the right stuff but we have to improve at putting it away)
Begin a rhythm in your household that includes all members in a reasonable cycle of chores that includes and shares cooking, cleaning, washing, and gardening. Spend your time together with purpose as opposed to trying to get a few chores 'done' while everyone else sits in front of a screen. Laundry can be a good social time to visit over sock matching, laundry line hanging, and there is nothing that can beat (Sorry commercial artificial laundry scent manufacturers) the smell of wind-dried sheets on summer days. (Johnson)
Here are the habits we're going to work on...
Work together
Don’t put it down, put it away
Do it when you see it ask for help if you need it
15 minute tidy through the day
Another idea I found was having small designated toy buckets for the living room with kid's names on them. What they get out goes in the bucket, then they put everything in it back at the end of the day. I found the idea on this blog...
http://blog.wantingwhatyouhave.com
Motivation for reluctant cleaners
Timers
Make believe 15 minutes until the... arrives to... We're trying to escape the...he'll find our trail of...
Music let them pick. We like the Bend it like Beckham soundtrack very peppy
CLUTTER IS DANGEROUS! If there is an emergency in the night people could be hurt or it could induce a mommy freak out!
Age Appropriate Habits
http://housekeeping.about.com/od/chorechart1/a/ageapprchores.htm
Additional simplifying for kids..
Clothing
Examine wardrobes and put together fourteen outfits for your children, enough for 2 weeks without laundry, for each season, and donate the rest. Buy good quality wool, cotton, and natural fiber clothes that will last through several children, practice the fine art of hand me downs, and gather a group of other families to have a twice a year 'share' time where you all bring extra clothes and parcel them out. You will be shocked at how this is so very freeing although you will spend a bit more time doing laundry on your new schedule. (Johnson)
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/affluenza/escape/action/kids.html
Start small and build good habits. Little by little does the trick. ~Aesop
Marsha Johnson – Waldorf Educator
The Issue Of Toys, Children And Materialism [November 25, 2007]
http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:urhV0kTzvBMJ:www.passionatehomemaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/the-issue-of-toys.doc+The+Issue+of+Toys,+Children+%26+Materialism&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
We do some things well, other things we need to work on, doing it together makes it work.
Excuse This House
Some houses try to hide the fact
That children shelter there,
Ours boasts it quite openly,
The signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
Little smudges are on the doors
I should apologize, I guess
For toys strew on the floor.
But I sat down with my child
And we played and laughed and read
And if the doorbell doesn’t shine,
His eyes will shine instead.
For when at times I’m forced to choose
The one job or the other,
I’d like to cook and clean and scrub,
But first I’ll be a mother.
My greatest wish would be to play more, clean less, while living in a peaceful comfortable home. It is my belief that can be accomplished by organizing and simplifying.
Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.... Alma 37:6
It has been a few weeks since my toy freak out and things are going well. Working together really makes a huge difference. I've been asking for help and we're tidying more often too. So far so good.
Good luck to you. ;)
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