Comments on: Separating Yourself From Your Children’s “Stuff”

By: Momma

Momma — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:49:58 +0000

Alternate dumping ground idea: I just came across this piece while fretting over being unable to get rid of my kids’ things (and the kids refuse as well). We are trapped in a foreign country in a Family Court case right now, we do not want to live here, we miss our homeland, and their nice American well-loved things are impossible for me to get rid of because they symbolize so much more to us than just toys (our old home, years of childhood in a happier place, a time when things were happier for us all and also these things have made us happy in a sad place…it’s also sad that other kids have tried to steal them from my kids and sometimes succeeded, so we are all the clutchier about them). Many we want to keep for grandchildren to play with in years to come, once we are able to leave this place and go home. At this point we have their mattresses sitting on plastic bins of toys as a base for the mattress. If we want to get to some old toy we just flip the mattress up. Their contents are written on them. Doesn’t solve the clutter problem but offers an “enabling” sort of spatial solution.

By: Simplicity in the Kids Rooms « Sofia's Ideas

Simplicity in the Kids Rooms « Sofia's Ideas — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:28:19 +0000

[...] Simple Kids’ article here [...]

By: Bridgette

Bridgette — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:01:21 +0000

Thank you so much for writing this! I too have a son that is too little to protest, and wouldn’t even miss some toys if they weren’t there after he went down for a nap. He too is the first grandson on both sides so I will remember to bring some “stay-behind” toys on our next trip to down to the grandparents’ houses. We are also expecting our second child in June and I am having a hard time not letting that be my excuse to leave toys out that are really too young for our toddler. I needed to remind myself that it will be over a year before the new baby even knows what a toy is!

Thanks again!
.-= Bridgette´s last blog ..The Cast Iron Skillet: Why it should be in your kitchen! =-.

By: Winterize Within, Part Two: Toys — Simple Kids

Winterize Within, Part Two: Toys — Simple Kids — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:30:09 +0000

[...] you purge the toys in your home, don’t forget the importance of separating yourself from your children’s stuff! Finding new homes for the toys your children have collected doesn’t mean you are discarding [...]

By: Simple As That: Cherishing the Pet Rock — Simple Kids

Simple As That: Cherishing the Pet Rock — Simple Kids — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:45:16 +0000

[...] when I told you how hard it is for me to purge out items from our extensive toy collection? Shelly has reminded me that children really do delight in the simplest objects. He has become [...]

By: Kim J

Kim J — Mon, 25 May 2009 00:39:01 +0000

I also remember where all the toys come from =) My husband has terrible memories of his mother getting rid of some favorite books, so I have a hard time actually getting rid of toys, but we found a fun way to clear out the clutter.

I took all the toys in the house and put them in the living room, arranged nicely around the walls as though it was a toy store: balls, stuffed animals, little plastic figurines, puzzles, and so on (this took half a day!). After taking out some categories I knew we wanted to keep (trains, doll house, kitchen), I gave each of my kids (6, 4 and 2) a big basket and told them to go “shopping”. They could fill up the basket, but if they wanted anything else after the basket was full, they needed to get rid of something.

I filled up the 2 year old’s basket, and helped the 4 year old remember which toys she likes playing with. The rest of the toys are in boxes in the basement, ready for another day. I like this method because it takes me out of the equation, and it gives the kids responsibility for the toys they choose.

Now if I could only do something about the craft center that is about to collapse…

By: SK Showcase and Survey — Simple Kids

SK Showcase and Survey — Simple Kids — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:59:36 +0000

[...] Would you prefer that the majority of the articles and posts be more informational (posts such as Separating Yourself From Your Children’s Stuff, Frugal Fun (with a potato), and Geology Rocks) or would you prefer more advice-driven material [...]

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:49:21 +0000

Just getting to this now, and I am so thankful for your reminder that the toy does not equal the relationship too! A few more things will be added to my donate box for an upcoming charity garage sale today! Jen’s last blog post..Fix, Freeze, Feast and Toddler Firsts

By: Separating Yourself From Your Children's “Stuff” — Simple Kids | StuffedItems.Com

Sat, 09 May 2009 18:06:22 +0000

[...] More here: Separating Yourself From Your Children's “Stuff” — Simple Kids [...]

By: Darcy

Darcy — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:51:05 +0000

Oh, this was convicting, especially #1. Just this week my 5 year-old came to me with a little doll and said I am ready for this to go to Goodwill. I told her no because it was from one of her Aunties and it was special.... She never plays with it, and of course she still loves her aunt, who doesn't need to know if we don't have it anymore... Darcy’s last blog post..Giraffe Blankie