Here's my dilemma: we have 10,000 toys, and there's always something else the kids are coming home with that is their "new favorite toy". I'm pretty good about taking toys that are broken or missing vital pieces and tossing them or passing them on. And I can go through the toys and take out some so that there's not SO MANY toys out. And the garage sale finds that are 10 cents a piece aren't so difficult to put back out at our own garage sale. Toys that the kids don't play with AT ALL and never have? No problem letting go of those either. But what I have a problem with, is getting rid of toys that the kids really enjoyed.
I suppose some of it is connected to the knowledge that my little ones are getting bigger (in a good way!), and the toy that K doesn't play with this week might be B's favorite next week, then M's after that! Really, I have a preschooler, toddler, and two "infants" as far as their toy interests go. And development, too- since I have the bouncy seat out for M and E, the baby swing out for M, the "jumperoo" out for M and B, but E has been in it too. Then we have a kid's rocking chair for K and some big things like a play kitchen, workshop, and ride-on tractor. Add in that Bria's learning to walk and we have a stable shopping cart for her to walk behind and of course every little girl needs a dollhouse!
I just took our "standing toys" out of the playroom, but I don't want to get rid of them because I know that M will be needing them soon. There's a table with buttons on top that make all kinds of different noises which is the perfect height for my tiny kids learning to bear weight and wanting to STAY that way! My mom bought it at a garage sale and I've never seen another one like it. There's the toys the kids enjoy and there's the toys the kids need. You know, the therapy toys. Shape sorter, stacking blocks, pop together beads, squishy balls, "busy box", etc. The ones that the kids wouldn't pick out to play with (mine don't anyway) but that you don't want to put away because they need to learn those skills.
So... what do YOU do? Do you pass it on? Toss it? Or store it??
How about loaning toys to friends, with the understanding that you can retrieve them whenever one of your children needs them? That would help clear out the "excess", allow other kids to enjoy and learn from them, yet let your children benefit from the toys when the time is right...
ReplyDeleteWhatever you do, don't toss 'em! Another consideration is that eventually the toys may have some value as collectibles, if they're gently treated and in good shape!
Best wishes,
Susan in Kentucky
My daughter has multipes and babysits another child. she buys the huge rubbermaid binds and stores. she has about 4 and exchanges one out each month. when one comes out the other is already loaded to be put up. the staples stay out. this takes away the clutter and she tries to keep all plastic in a couple of the binds so all she has to do is pour in a little clorox and water and they are clean and ready to go.
ReplyDeleteWe have been a toy storer until recently. When we adopted Sarah I brought out all of Elijah's toys and as she has grown out of them I have been giving them to the home educator that comes to pass on to other families or to use for therapy on other babies. We did not plan on adopting again so I figured I would not need them. Last week we started the paperwork to adopt again. Man wished I had kept them, but I know God will provide what we need at that time. We do not know if we will be blessed with a typical baby or a special needs baby. We are open to special needs, especially DS.
ReplyDeleteRobyn
They're usually broken before I have a chance to think about it. :)
ReplyDeleteJust like you, we have tons of toys. I usually store them until the next child is ready for them. I have 4 kids, each 2 years apart. I do store some toys in clear totes and try to rotate toys some. But our baby is 8 months old now and he is our last so once he is done with something I plan on getting rid of it. I did recently go through all the toys and took tons of them out to sell or give away. Freecycle is a great place to get rid of them if that is what you want to do.
ReplyDeleteOur house has been taken over by toys!
I would store them.. If you got some of those big stackable plastic bins you can fit a surprisingly large amount of toys in them. Fill them up with the toys that K stopped using, but the younger ones aren't quite ready for. That way, when the younger ones start to show interest/ability to use them, you have them. It will save so much money in the long run! :) If they are toys the young ones dont use, then give them away or toss them if they aren't give-able.
ReplyDeleteMeredith, I could probably store a few toys over here since I don't really have any baby toys and hope to do a lot more babysitting for ya
ReplyDeleteChris