Toy-Hoarders
My children absolutely LOVE projects. In fact, many a morning, I am awakened with the words, “Mom! Can we do a project today?” And, once a project is finished, they are eager for another.
Yesterday, we hit up Wal-mart and loaded up on crayons (only 22 cents), markers, paper, folders, and more. They carried a box of watercolors around until they had to give them up in order to pay for them, and, once home, they begged to paint. Please, please, pretty please Mom!
The other day, I purchased the book 365 TV-Free Activities by Steve & Ruth Bennett. It has some great “projects” inside, most of which provide some sort of educational outcome.
I will shamelessly admit that most of our “projects” lately have bordered on child labor, ha! As we prepare for our move to Houston, the children have assisted me in painting (which, at times, has been disasterous, but hey, it’s all in the name of learning), sorting, and packing. I love that my children enjoy helping me. They’d much rather tag along beside me and help me than play with their own toys.
On the subject of toys, we’ve been able to narrow down their stash significantly and donate it. I think most toys are a waste of money. We (as a society) have taught our children to be greedy- hoarding more and more and more toys, even though they don’t play with them.
When it comes down to it, children will be happier with fewer toys than if they had all the toys in the world. (And, you’ll be much happier because you will have less to step on, trip over, and beg your children to clean up.)
We started donating the toys by the bundle when I realized most of my children’s toys were crowding the livingroom, playroom, and bedroom floors not because they were being played with, but because they had to toss them out of the bin in order to find the “good stuff”.
A couple days later, I piled the toys in the livingroom and told the kids, “Okay, we’re going to sift through this stuff and only keep the toys you really like.” We divided the toys into three bags- dump, donate, and keep. An hour or so later, we had filtered the toys, and had decided to keep only half of the toys.
About a month later, we went through the process again, and significantly narrowed down the keep pile. It was a difficult process for me because I realized “good money” was spent on most of these toys. My friends and parents had spent hard earned money on these toys, and I felt guilty about giving them away. Then it hit me that I should feel more guilty about hoarding toys that weren’t being played with when other children could enjoy them.
Soon after we did all of this, my son had a birthday. I wanted to invite all his little friends, but I thought, “Man, they are going to want to bring him toys- toys that will probably end up at the bottom of the bin or broken.” I didn’t want to come across as unthankful or rude, but I decided it would be best to tell our guests that they didn’t need to bring gifts, but if they wanted to, we’d prefer they give books, clothes, or even a movie (our kids love Veggie Tales), instead of a toy.
Most listened. Of course, my parents gave him toys (it’s required of grandparents, I suppose), but most people did listen to our request. One of our friends said, “Well, it’s his birthday. Won’t he be upset if he doesn’t get toys? Kids don’t want books! They don’t want clothes! They want toys!”
Well, my children get excited about new clothes and books just as much as, or even more than, toys. Plus, there’s no better time than when they are young to teach them how wonderful books are!
If the toys are piling up in your household and you ache to ditch them, try this. Have your children help you sort through them just as mine did. Tell them you are going to donate toys to children who don’t have many. Explain to them that some children are not as fortunate as you are. Throw away toys that are broken.
Later, when your children are gone or in bed, go through the keep pile and set half of it aside. Put it in another bin and stow it in a closet where the kids can’t see it. A month later, if they have not asked about the toys and have not desired to play with them- donate all of it.
I know a woman who was able to get rid of six large garbage bags full of toys. Her children chose to keep five toys each (like a box of matchbox cars, a doll, a box of costumes, etc).
Some people think we are crazy when they find out we don’t buy our children toys. We don’t even buy them birthday gifts. First of all, children get so many birthday gifts, I feel that it’s “wasteful” for us to get them something on that day. I’d much rather save that money and purchase them something later when they’ll really enjoy it and the gift won’t have to compete with a dozen other gifts for attention.
Secondly, since we’re on a tight, limited budget, I find it’s wiser to spend money on an “event”- like a fun, educational trip the whole family can enjoy.
Seriously- gather all the toys around your house and pile them in the middle of the floor….. look at how much your family has accumulated. Teach your children to give and be good stewards, not hoarders. And, while you’re at it- look at your own junk that has piled up. You probably have a lot of stuff you don’t use.
Every time we move, I find so much junk that is just being stored, not used. Get rid of it. You’ll probably feel better for doing so.
How do you keep the toys from piling up in your home? Do you have a game plan?
20080720 9:35 pm
Kylie’s only two, so this is easy for me. I do it when she’s sleeping and she doesn’t know the difference.
But I have a laundry basket. Like the $2 ones at Wal-Mart. That’s all she gets. She has that full of her toys, a handful of stuffed animals {most are in her bedroom, which she doesn’t play in}, her book shelf and a couple of ice cream buckets with pretend food her tea set. oh, and her table and chairs {which are all in the front entry way {you’ve see pictures}
She is NOT lacking in any way, shape or form. She has plenty of toys and she doesn’t know the difference.
I don’t have time each night to pick up a massive toy box full of toys. The amount that she has is perfect for her attention span to pick up. It works for us.
Maybe have M and N pick out their own laundry basket {bigger probably because they’re older} and that is that. Besides their big stuff. Just a thought?
Oh! and when the laundry basket gets too full, we bring a Wal-Mart bag to one of Kylie’s many grandmother’s or aunties. Ladies who think Kylie can never have enough toys!
Good luck!
20080720 9:36 pm
you must moderate your comments on this blog. i don’t see it. LOL
I don’t want to type it again. I hope you got it!
hehe
20080801 9:40 pm
First of all, I wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUU!!!
Second, ummm… how is it that we have so much stuff? Even when I cleaned out before I packed, as I packed and as I UNpacked, we still have too much stuff. Oi! I do think that my boys and I will be going through their toybox. All that stuff is killing me. But I won’t allow them to get rid of their wooden train set. Such good memories for all of us! Plus, the non-electronic building/creating sets have been the best toys… endless ways to play and each time it’s something new.
I can’t wait for you to move to Houston– yipppeeeeee!!!
Love,
Marsha
20080804 11:46 pm
Oh I hear you on the difficult task of giving away toys–especially with the money put into them! We are slowly reaching the ages in our home where the kids are losing interest in most of them so it’s getting easier and easier each year!