Tips for organising your child’s toys before the next lot arrives this Christmas:
The sheer thought of more pink plastic, or toy cars and trains about to descend upon us can literally tip us over the edge. We’ve all been in the situation where we feel overwhelmed by the mess our children’s toys cause. On one hand, and to some degree, we have to accept that this is a phase in our lives and it will eventually pass (sooner than you realise). On the other hand, there are a few things we can do to help manage the mess and make it easier to handle. For a start, don’t let your child’s toys take over your whole home. This does not make you a bad parent! Have a designated room (if you have one spare) or space to store the toys and keep them in this one area. Make sure that at the end of the day, they are returned to this area and you can enjoy a toy free space to relax in.
Once your child is old enough, include them in the decluttering process. Often children will be positive and open to the idea of clearing out unwanted toys or toys they’ve outgrown if they are part of the process. Especially when they know Christmas is around the corner and more toys are on their way! Let them choose which toys they no longer want and then go along with you to the charity of their choice to drop them off and donate them. Children need and play with far fewer toys than we realise. We should limit the number of toys they have access to at any given time. This can be done by buying fewer toys, suggesting experiences as gifts instead of toys to friends and relatives who are looking for gift ideas or else packing toys away and alternating them every few months. If you take one thing away from this blog, this is it ;, alternate the toys your child has access to, I promise the effect will amaze you! Your child will feel less overwhelmed and you’ll have less mess to deal with! Sort your child’s toy collections together(example all the Lego together, all the cars in one container, all the dolls in another) Use child friendly storage containers, preferably with lids,and label them for children who are able to read. Print a picture of the toys inside for children who are unable to read. Make sure the storage bins are easily accessible.
Lastly, enjoy your mess free house this Christmas and beyond!
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