Good! This is one I can handle in the few short minutes I have, plus I have 2 little hands to help me. This topic was just brought up at Sunday School yesterday. We all agreed how nice it must be for those that have space in their homes where the kids can leave their toys lying around and craft freely, not neatly. One mom is going through the process of creating a kids’ space in her basement and another mom is a lot like us, confined to small areas and challenged to keep things containerized. Whatever configuration, if you have kids, you have STUFF.
We tend to stay on top of these things. Limited space makes it necessary to constantly review this category. We have a policy (adopted from my mentor) that before birthdays and Christmas, the kids must choose toys to give away to children who aren’t as blessed as we. There is a lot to be learned for children who can undergo that process. It teaches generosity, gratefulness, and a respect for their belongings.
- Keep it nice, so someone else can enjoy it when you are done.
- If you don’t love it, let someone else love it.
- You don’t need material things to make you happy.
- You are blessed beyond measure and able to bless others.
- It’s okay to let go.
Children should be allowed to deal with their things gently, it shouldn’t be a traumatic experience. If you’ve never let your child declutter their own toys before, and your child has a hard time parting with their things, try one small thing at a time. For children who are sensitive to this, it’s unfair to throw their things in a box that disappears, so take the time to try to find ways to show them the joy in making another child happy. It’s tempting to do one big purge, but instead have them choose 1 or 2 things they know their friend or sibling will enjoy and let them give it personally. They can wrap it up and create a card. When they understand the concept that they can bring joy to others with the resources they have, they will be able to make decisions on a larger scale.
Another note: We have all experienced the frustration when a toy buried at the bottom of the toy box, seemingly untouched for years, becomes impossible for the child to let go of when they find it in the donate box. Before you know it, all the contents of your donate box are back in action, cluttering precious living space again. It’s okay for them to play with an item before they make their deision. It isn’t worth fighting over, just revisit the idea again in a few days. Once the decisions are made and the box is full, take it to the car immediately so you can drop it off the next time you are out.
As for clothing, I went through Pookah’s things when we did our wardrobe declutter 2 weeks ago. Tootsie is another story, though. Baby’s clothes are in constant rotation the first year or two. I know there are things in her dresser that don’t fit her, as well as some clothes in the attic to be brought down for her. This week is a good week for that.
Are you enjoying this process? I can really appreciate how this project is delving into the recesses of our homes, setting the stage for organizing as a whole. I am enjoying sitting at this nice, clean desk, with a spot for my coffee cup that is not a junk-mail-coaster.
For more tips and advice on organizing this, and other Project Simplify hotspots, check out Simple Mom’s blog.
Mrs. Frisbie's House 
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