A few weeks ago I made an executive decision...I got out a giant trash bag and got rid of every single toy in our house that contained lots of small pieces, with 2 exceptions - our train table (the tracks are glued on, and I make the boys put the trains in the attached drawers when they're done), and a set of Lincoln Logs which the 4 year old is only allowed to take out on "special occasions" when the 2 year old is sleeping.
I guess you could say I "hit rock bottom" with the toys around here. I was sick and tired of the toy squabbles, the way my boys were treating every room in our house like a playroom...I was tired of tripping over balls on my way to the kitchen with a baby strapped to me...I was sick and tired of the chaos.
And the craziest part is that I've always been a MINIMALIST when it comes to toys compared to most. But still, it was too much.
Here's what I've whittled our toy collection down to:
- The wooden train table with the tracks glued on it
- 1 container of Lincoln Logs that only comes out when the 2 year old is sleeping
- Several Tricylces out in the yard
- A Swing Set
- A wooden firehouse with wooden furniture, a few firemen, and a little firetruck (picture a dollhouse for boys)
- One bicycle with training wheels for the 4 year old
- A kitchen set with a few pots and pans and some wooden food
- Two tonka trucks
- A basketball hoop
- Books
- A wooden activity cube for the baby
- An exersaucer for the baby
- A Johnny-Jump-Up for the baby
- A Toboggan sled (thanks Grandma Jeannie)
That's it.
My neighbor Diane, mother of seven, has told me a secret that seems obvious now...only buy the CLASSIC toys...there's a reason they've stood the test of time. She's right.
I'm curious to hear other moms thoughts on this...
What do you think? Have I uncovered the secret to a more peaceful home? Will my children be more grateful for what they are given and treat their toys better because they only have a few? Will my house look cleaner? Will I be more sane? Or have I just put my children on the boredom train?
My friend Katherine has a good post on this topic too.
See FlyLady's Clutter Free Gift Ideas for some suggestions on some great gift ideas that are practical and clutter free :-)
1 comment:
I am SO with you about minimal and classic toys.
Things that have a lot of pieces go into the closet in the playroom, and are only used one set at a time, when the rest of the room is cleaned up. This happens once a week max.
Classic, well made toys are the way to go for sure in my opinion. I'm looking around realizing that there are no "trendy" toys and neither are there toys that make noise. haha (If we get them for Christmas or birthdays, I typically allow them until the batteries die - and then they go in the donation bag.)
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