When you have children, you inevitably accumulate a mountain of belongings. While some are purchased with intention—like cribs and plush toys—many seem to magically appear, leaving you with a collection of clutter. Your little ones might amass a variety of toys, from gifts and hand-me-downs to oddities like crumpled paper sleeves and stray band-aids. When it’s time to tidy up but your child protests, a strategy becomes essential. Here are the 21 stages of letting go of your child’s old toys.
- You receive a garish or overly loud toy, and you quickly realize you can’t keep something that hideous. For instance, you might win a bizarre rubber figure named “Wobbly Joe” at a carnival, only to discover it’s a dust magnet.
- You mentally note that it’s destined for the trash.
- Create a holding space. For example, I use an old shoebox hidden under my desk where I toss toys that need to go.
- Wait until your child is at their morning playgroup, which gives you a fleeting 23 minutes of freedom to sort things out.
- Meanwhile, Wobbly Joe begins to break down, losing bits of itself around the house. When you find a chunk stuck to your toothbrush, you know it’s time to act.
- You tuck him away in the box, under some tangled cords and mismatched cups.
- Your child comes home, sensing something is off, and promptly rescues Wobbly Joe from his hiding spot.
- The next day, before leaving for school, he pleads, “Mom, please don’t throw away my toys!” in a way that would tug at anyone’s heartstrings.
- Six months pass, and Wobbly Joe remains untouched.
- The toy continues to fall apart, limbs hanging by a thread.
- One day, you discover a wayward arm resting on your chair.
- You resolve to take decisive action.
- The following day, in your precious 23 minutes, you dispose of Wobbly Joe in the kitchen trash, burying him under coffee grounds and eggshells. You briefly feel guilty, as if you’ve taken away a piece of your child’s joy.
- That evening, as you take out the trash, your child notices the outline of the doll against the bag.
- You retrieve Wobbly Joe, attempting to scrub off remnants of last night’s dinner.
- You can’t shake the feeling that this toy has a dark history, perhaps cursed by the carnie who sold it to you.
- Another six months go by, and you find a leg on your pillow, inexplicably attached to a stray hair.
- This time, you sneak Wobbly Joe into your purse, ready for a covert exit.
- At the back of the store, you hover near the dumpster, pulling the doll from your bag. As you prepare to toss it, you notice every piece of debris from your purse clinging to it—a receipt, a gum wrapper, and even your checkbook. It feels like a scene from a crime drama. You carefully remove the items, dispose of the doll, and hurriedly leave the parking lot.
- When you arrive home, there’s a package from Grandma. Your child excitedly opens it to reveal a robot that sings “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Within moments, its foot breaks off.
- You mentally note this new toy as another future casualty.
In summary, navigating the journey of decluttering your child’s toy collection can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. It’s a delicate balance between maintaining a tidy home and respecting your child’s cherished memories. For more insights into family building options, visit RESOLVE, which serves as a great resource. And if you’re considering home insemination, check out Cryobaby for more information on essential kits. Remember, it’s all part of the parenting adventure!