Cotton

Re: Cotton

• Cotton member

  January 2013

  Hi there! Thanks for your message and yes, I'm a MO girl PM me for more specifics, I'm not big on posting the specifics.

  Anyway, toys and organization always stress me out, but I am experienced in dealing with it We have way too many, overall, and I'm always trying to thin out what we have. I like the toy rotation ideas and just need to get more organized and make it happen over here. Currently, LO has his age-appropriate stuff in the gated-off family room. He's totally safe in here and plays here most of the time. He also has some toys in his room and he plays in there supervised, as it's not totally safe for him. Both of these rooms have probably double the number of toys he would ever need, so we're going to def thin them out/rotate them soon!

  In the playroom, which is also our living room and very visible, the big boys keep a lot of their stuff. Again, way tooo much stuff, but it's contained in two nice baskets and a train table and a storage bench and when it's picked up it doesn't bother me too much. The boys have fewer toys in their room (which they share). My daughter prefers to keep her toys in her room. She keeps them organized and, while there are too many, she plays nicely and cleans up nicely and it's not a problem most of the time.

  The way I keep up with it on a regular basis is by frequently taking out toys that I don't like, aren't age appropriate or are broken, going to break, cheap, too many lost pieces, etc. Oh, and I really don't like stuffed animals! The kids never miss the toys I take away! We have a huge yard sale pile going in the basement all year round so I just fill a bag and dump it there. We have a yard sale each year and whatever doesn't sell gets donated. They each get to "rescue" one item from the pile and everyone thinks that's fair. Phew!

  I do dread the kids' birthdays because I know we're going to be taking in more stuff we don't need. I usually do a big purge beforehand. I never feel bad taking stuff to the yard sale pile because many of them were gifts and, honestly, they served their purpose for the time they were played with. I feel good about donating so many toys, too. I hope they go to the kids who have fewer toys than mine do. Lately I request money from the grandparents when they don't know what to buy #3 and #4. I don't know what else to ask for. Although, sometimes cute non-hand-me-downs are great gifts for them, too

  Hope this helps! I don't think my systems are perfect, but that's just what we do for now. If I had my wish I'd get rid of most of what they have. There would be so much resistance, even from my husband, I should not make big changes overnight. haha. I think this post has inspired me to make some changes, though!

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• ldcoffel member

  January 2013

  Well, now you have inspired me as well! I am thinking bout moving a bunch of DDs stuff up to her room, so at least I don't have to see every Petshop animal and house set up!

  Our formal living room is also our play room, so you have to see it!

  And I'm sending you a PM.  

  

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• Cotton member

  January 2013

  Put it in her room for sure! I hate to say it, but at some point, your kids may start...dare I say...fighting. Just a guess. If it were to happen and you were to perhaps send her to her room, she'll can get into her toys and have plenty of time to cool off. At least that's what happens in my house. It's not so much punishment, just redirection. Or maybe she'll just enjoy her alone time up there. Not sure it's a girl thing, but my daughter is very, very happy playing in her room away from the boys sometimes.

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• ldcoffel member

  January 2013

  YGPM

  

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• Cotton member

  January 2013

  Thanks, back at ya!

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