Tuesday 14 June 2016

What happened when we got rid of toys

We have quite a big house, compared to current building standards. Approximately 200m² under-roof space, the downstairs area consisting of rumpus room, garage-converted-to-storage, laundry and toilet and upstairs with bedrooms, kitchen, lounge, bathroom and toilet. There's plenty of space for kids to spread out in the rumpus room, or backyard (but not so much in the bedrooms)

So why is it then that there are so. many. toys. in the lounge room space?

About a month ago, I finally got fed up with promising myself that I would sort the toys out tomorrow, and finally got stuck in to it. Unfortunately, a lot of the toys were broken, so they quickly headed out to the bin, and others weren't age appropriate any more. But as I sorted through the boxful of rubbish (why don't kids just put it in the bin?) and broken bits, and decided what to keep out and what to stash away, Sophie started to  play.

Now that might not seem mind blowing to most people, after all, that's what toys are for. But for the last 18 months, Sophie hasn't been interested in any sort of play activities, unless I'm part of it. Which has been hugely frustrating to me. And even in the last 6 months since she started daycare, she hasn't really wanted to move very far from me over the course of the day.

So what changed?

{safe to say it does not look this neat today, especially since adding a dog to the household}

I think that getting rid of broken toys, thinning out the choices, and her being able to see into the bottom of boxes meant she wasn't overwhelmed by the choices. She could see that I was busy, and close by, and she had lots of new things to play with.

She continued playing all afternoon until the kids got home from school...

When did you last sort out the toy boxes?

linking up with Essentially Jess
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8 comments

  1. I neeeeeed to sort out the boxes again. It's been a few months.

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  2. Sorting or tidying toys is a sure fire way to invite the toddler to make mess, I mean play with all the toys, here. Right now she's pulling out all her plush toys and piling them on the couch with her.

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  3. I did when we moved house and it made me sad because the grandkids were staying behind and we were moving BUT there were charities and places which benefitted and I brought a selection with us for when they visit. Good job from you! Denyse #teamIBOT

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  4. I'm inspired Cate - I'm going to get stuck into Delilah's room this weekend. She has way too many toys and I bet a lot of them will be broken and too young for her now too. I hope Sophie is loving her 'new' toys!

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  5. When my kids were tinies I felt like we had to have all these great toys. And then we had to move house and store stuff for a huge period of time. I ditched a whole bunch of toys and then a whole lot more when we were finally able to settle down again. You know what? My kids just used to tip out their toys and leave them on the floor without playing with them. Getting rid of most of their toys meant they started to play more imaginatively. They need less then we think they need - and more of us.

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  6. We have way too many toys. I don't know how it happens (actually, generous grandparents might be the answer there).
    I have to sneak old toys out of the house at opportune moments. Funny how they want to play with the baby toys when they find out you're trying to get rid of them.

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  7. We have way too many toys. I don't know how it happens (actually, generous grandparents might be the answer there).
    I have to sneak old toys out of the house at opportune moments. Funny how they want to play with the baby toys when they find out you're trying to get rid of them.

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  8. We go through the kids toy storage units periodically throughout the year. It is essential for not only tidiness but also variety.

    Sometimes less is more!

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