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I always enlist the aid of my children and they are always willing to give some things to children who dont have any (otherwise
known as the good will or any local charity). Sometimes they pick toys I rather liked, and sometimes they pick ones that
would offend Grandparents, or that belong to Daddy, so those we store or give to a younger or older sibling. But often they
are easily conned into giving away the noisy ones, or the ones that are always used wrong. (floor mats that become fighting
objects for example, it is just easier not to have them)
First we go thru and get rid of obvious duplicates, nevermind that modern daycares have 5 of everything, I know my kids, too
many toys = too many timeouts. So we ditch the duplicates. Next we look at almost duplicates, How many shape sorters does
one kid need? Hammers and saws? (nevermind the number daddy has!) How about building systems? do we really need Duplos and
mega blocks? (personal preferance is for Duplos)
Then we sort the remaining into bins with tightly closable lids, the lids only have to be strong enough to remind them that
only one per kid open at a time (two if you have an only child, mom counts as a person). Really why do you need ten bins
if all you are going to do is dump, and climb on them and find something to abuse? (throw, hit or otherwise break a rule with)
I also occassionally, when we have had a string of bad cleaning days, close off one closet of toys or more till we are back
on track.
There have been numerous studies on clutter showing that clutter reduces productivity, paralizes some, and can depress the
brain, well in children it makes for diffuculty in listening, and in remembering the old basic rules. some mess is fine,
some clutter is rather essential in my small house with multiple age children (and adults) but if I keep it to a minimum,
my kids actualy behave better. I can almost see the transformation as we clean up.
I learned about decluttering from flylady, she is primrily a home helper, but I found her decluttering advice invaluable.
It has helped my children, and I, clean better, and helped us fit better in our smaller house without having to add on.
Flylady home site
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