Toy Story

Confession: I get rid of my kids toys when they aren't looking to save space and clutter.

Okay so you think I'm evil, practical, quite possibly a genius. Whatever you are thinking, I assure you I've thought it too. How can I be so mean? But, my kids have a lot of toys. I mean a lot of toys. There are toys that don't see any action for weeks on end. It only gets worse in the summer. Everyone is outside most of the time, and the toys just sit on shelves, in toy boxes, in piles on the floor, taunting me. My house is in total disarray. And something has got to be done about it.

It's not like I've gone into this lightly. I don't just pull toys out of their little hands and hurl them into the trash. I don't pry Barbies right from their little death-grips in the middle of a game of "Barbie gets eaten by a giant horse." (What do you mean my kids have issues?) There is a time to purge what you have, and I include the kids stuff in that as well. We always donate anything that is not broken or in major disrepair to local charities. I think it is healthy. I think it is a good lesson in compassion for them. I think it is necessary for my sanity.

You see, we got new carpets yesterday in the family room and playroom. We had to move everything out of those rooms and pile it all up in the living room and my husbands office. Wow! It's time like these you realize how much useless crap you really do have. It makes me sad in a way to know that we have so much stuff that never even gets touched, and their are people in the world who have absolutely nothing. Of course my children, who are oh so deprived, are not quick to part with anything. "I know we haven't played with that doll in 2 years, but I was just about to play with her I swear." Ummm... I doubt it. Or "you can't throw that away, I've been looking everywhere for that." Uh-huh, sure you were.

So, here's what I do. I highly recommend this system if you are feeling apprehensive about the big heave-ho. As I was going through all of the toys, dolls, games, stuffed junk, etc. I immediately put back everything that I know they adore and play with daily. Then I look for things that have not been played with in ages, is broken, missing parts, etc. I bag the broken stuff up to go to the trash. The good stuff goes in a bag for Goodwill or Purple Heart. Then there is the questionable stuff. Things you'd really like to see go. Like 800,000 little Polly Pockets shoes. But, you can't be sure this won't cause a major meltdown in the days to come. Here is where I've perfected the throwaway system. I bag the stuff up and put it in the closet for 30 days. If it is not asked for, missed, or whined about for those 30 days, it goes.

Now, don't get me wrong. On day 32 or 33 one of them will inevitably come looking for whatever it is that you tossed. There will likely be a few tears, perhaps even a tantrum. But, this is where you have to tell them the truth, that Daddy did it, that elves came and took the stuff away. You can get as creative as you want here. This is where my involvement ends. Trust me though, the few tears they shed will be more than worth the amount of shelf, closet, or floor space you can reclaim from this little exercise.

Do you know of any good charitable organizations that take donations of used toys, books, clothes, etc? Comment here and tell me about it. And in the spirit of all this MommyFest good giveaway love, I have another giveaway to add. A beautiful handmade swarovski crystal beaded bracelet like this one.
I'll have my daughter draw a winner from all commenters when BlogFest is all over. Good luck.