Archive for the ‘Organization’ Category

28
Oct

Stuff. An old enemy. We go waaay back.

   Posted by: Tamra Tags: ,

We’re finding ourselves in a difficult stage of needing to buy things.

It’s a case of over-analyzing everything, first trying to determine if we really need the thing. Then, we try to see if we can buy it used, local or at least American made.

There is also an effort towards limiting new purchases to as few as possible, but as nice as we can afford.  There is so much faux, foreign junk out there in our disposable culture, that most things are headed to the trash pile shortly after being brought home.

Having to sort through old bins of stuff, from dress-up clothes and old toys to art supplies and seasonal decorations, most of which just needs to be tossed, I am becoming ever more leery of bringing yet more landfill into our home.  And that’s saying a lot, since I was dubbed Queen of Gettingridofjunk for three years straight.

So what’s the big deal?  What’s wrong with having stuff?  What if you need it some day?  Isn’t more better?

It gives less significance to what you have.  They’re taken for granted, lost in the shuffle, or set aside quickly and replaced.
It makes it difficult to find things you need.
The more stuff you have, the harder it is to get rid of it because the sheer number of piles is just too overwhelming.

I found two whole bins of plastic toys that were so gaudy and bright they made my eyes bleed.  It was nothing like when I found the old train set from Robb’s dad - opening that old box made me smile, knowing how happy it would make Robb, who can’t wait to set it up this winter with the children.

The problem of stuff doesn’t seem to be limited to any certain social class, income level or family type.  I think it’s an American affliction, plain and simple.  Doesn’t matter if you live in a nice home or a dump, you probably have too much stuff.

It’s just a question of how well you keep it hidden. (Some like to call it organized)

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2
Oct

The never ending toy battle

   Posted by: Tamra Tags: , , , ,

If I had a nickel for every time another mom asked me something about the subject of toys, I’d be rich.

There’s the matter of safety (lead, chemicals, and other toxins).
There’s the question of birthdays and Christmas and “just because” - the prevalent materialistic, consumeristic attitude of our culture.

But most of all, there’s just the how-on-earth-do-I-handle-all-this-stuff! problem that seems every family has to deal with at one time or another.

  1. The first step is to downsize.  In other words, GET RID OF STUFF!  More than likely, you have too many toys.  No family needs 24 stuffed animals, no matter how cute they are.  There’s no point in moving to the organization stage when you have too much.  REMEMBER:  the less toys children have, the more they play with (and appreciate) what they have.
  2. Then, organize.  Have a clear, designated place for everything.  Everything.  Instead of having all the toys crammed in one big box (where they cannot find anything, are easily overwhelmed by the sheer vastness, and end up just piling everything on the floor beside it as fast as they can) have separate stations throughout the room or house.   A book reading place.  A play kitchen area.  A dress-up space.
  3. Rotate toys.  Even when you get rid of most things and organize well, you probably will still have too much stuff.  Pack some away!  In a month or two it will be like opening new gifts again.  You can do this by season, too.
  4. Designate certain times of day that they have access to some things.  In other words, not everything has to be available all of the time.  I have bins of toys (lacing boards, play-dough) that the children can only play with during “school” time.

I wrote about how to organize toys attractively here.  Be on the lookout for low-cost baskets, boxes and other containers at yard sales and consignment shops.
There’s some great ideas at the Artful Parent especially if your child is in that stage where they create a lot of, ahem, creative work.

Here are my tried and true top toy picks:

* Building materials - blocks, legos, duplos, lincoln logs, etc
* Pretend/Imaginative play - dress-up, kitchen/house items, dolls, cars, trucks, and trains, silks
* Art supplies - crayons, paper, glue, scissors, etc
* Books!
* Puzzles, lacing boards, play-dough, sorting toys

Most things outside those categories make me cringe, along with toys that make annoying noises or require batteries. *Erk*

An interesting side note…
When you’re purchasing a toy ask yourself WHO you’re buying it for.  Are you buying it for yourself?
What I mean by that is - A child may not squeal immediately with glee over a couple books or some plain wooden blocks.  BUT they will end up enjoying them for hundreds of hours to come.

The big, bright plastic THING may cause the child’s eyes to light up and they’ll leap to play with it… for, oh, maybe half an hour.  Then it just takes up space.

So don’t be taken in by the bells and whistles or by the emotional rush that comes with providing short-lived delight.  It’s not about you.

Go for the long-term toys that draw a child in slowly, and provide endless opportunities for enjoyment all throughout their developing years.

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