#2 Toys Toys Toys

Did you know that a child can have too many toys...and that it creates an overwhelming atmosphere for he/she/they to be able to concentrate/play or learn in

At the risk of causing Santa to frown on me....I will say it again .... simplify the toy room/box etc..

Have you ever watched a toddler have so much fun with the wrapping paper or a box. Duh he's saying something....uncomplicated is better... Why do we seem to need to provide everything that we did not have as a child....the newest of everything...the more the better no. It does not work that way.

1. Children need fresh air and whenever it is possible they need to have some time outside running and playing. Even when my babes were tiny I would have them sleep outside in the carriage for a nap...They would come in with a little red nose and rosey cheeks but with warm bodies under alll those blankets! It does not need to be a long time outside (especially for those that cannot go out unsupervised.....just some time a little in the morning and the same in the afternoon....even 15 minutes to walk and run and play.
2. Organized play is good. Perhaps you could find a moms group or a play group. Plan to take a trip to the park on a certain day of the week. Try having "Tuesdays we get the playdough out"....What ever it is kids thrive on routine. They like to know what's going on.
3. When they play with the toys they should just get out what they want to play with. You must supervise this. If left to themselves ALL the boxes will be emptied and all the pieces will be strewn everywhere. .. Too much to play with and definately too much to pick up!
4 Puzzels .books, coloring books and blocks You can never go wrong with these toys. These are the staples.... of the toy room with a few other things thrown in.
For years I would separate the toys into 2 parts. One part remained in the toyroom and the other in the attic. In 4-6 months I would switch (after going through everything, weeding out broken or unused toys) and bring the attic toys down. I also kept a box of "rainy day toys" as well...Different things that ONLY came out on that day when "nothing seemed to work".
5. A dress up box is great to have! Salvation Army, Goodwill or even yard sales can fill a box up quickly and for not much $$.
6. I hear complaints of too much given by the relatives. Hummm. Perhaps you might suggest that Auntie or Gram and Gramp might add to the saving account or even take little Georgie out to Chunky Cheeses on a date. Is there something that you have wanted or needed for the kids room? A new toybox? A book case, some shelves?
7. Make a tent!! anywhere anytime anyhow.... A tent is the bomb!!! sheets, blankets, a quilt thrown over the kitchen table ..We would tuck a blanket under the top bunk and have it hang down to close in the bottom bunk....What fun! A large appliance box is great as well!

So how about it....Attack the play room! (probably better to do it while Jenny is asleep) Simplify the whole room. Organize the stuff so that when we play house all the kitchen stuff is together. etc.. You will find it so much easier to handle and the kids will play longer with what they have out because they will not be constantly being distracted by everything around them.

And then when you're all done....How about your closet??:)

Blessings! Marnimom