The toy shelf in the picture was plenty of room to manage the toys a year ago. As of yesterday it was packed full and overflowing. There is a little girl’s kitchen and a little boy’s stable next to it – also full. How do toys manage to take over everything? They creep in when I’m not looking and threaten my very existence by tripping me in the dark.
Today I’m waging war on the toy shelf. No sneak attack from me! Fully engaged frontal attack from me and my army of 3. We wield 3 boxes – giveaway, throw away, and put away. Problem is, the toys still stand a pretty good chance. I seem to have more of a problem getting rid of things than my children.
I lecture myself and brace myself as they casually give away what I thought meant a lot. In the end it’s ok. Less toys, and no way they can fuss at me for getting rid of something they wanted. Our ideas of fun aren’t always the same.
I used to faithfully rotate toys every 3 months [or so]. When my oldest started asking for things that were put away it was harder to handle. The system fell apart when we moved. I changed to limiting space. ”You may keep as much as can fit in this box.” Today we’re packing a tote full to store for a while. It’s time to change my system.
“Toys – you shall not win in this house!”
How do you manage toys at your house?
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I see $$$$ when I look at those toys! You know I’m just a huge eBay addict….I have four boxes…sell/charity/trash/hand me downs (we have a big family so I’ll give complete toys to the younger ones if I know they’ll enjoy it).
Like you, I won’t let them take over the house either, we go through the toys twice a year. Once before her birthday in April and once before Santa comes. It’s been working so far!
Good luck!
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..eBay: On Location 2010 =-.
What a timely topic! I’ve been going through the kids playroom the past few days. I do a 1/4 of the room a day… cleaning, organizing, sorting. I’ve found a few things to garage sale/thrift store and quite a bit that just went straight to the trash but most things I am keeping as I just figure the littler kids will grow into them and it keeps new toy purchases to a minimum. Today my goal is to finish the book corner. We have more books then anything else. (Except maybe lego pieces and Barbie shoes.)
.-= Cyndi L´s last blog ..Book Review: When Love Blooms =-.
Oh my, I totally know what you are talking about. Where do they all come from? Our apartment is filling up rapidly. I can’t imagine what we’d have if we had lifted our ban on all big toys until we move.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Our Little Martha =-.