I currently find myself the proud custodian of 20 intricately decorated toilet paper tubes, each one a masterpiece crafted by my little collector, a spirited 5-year-old. These creations, adorned with drawings and a sprinkle of glitter, have become precious artifacts in our home. Each night, we meticulously account for them (yes, actual counting is involved). I never imagined that parenthood would have me safeguarding glittery toilet paper tubes featuring baby illustrations, yet here we are.
Beyond these quirky tubes, my daughter has transformed our recycling bin into a treasure trove of creativity, repurposing boxes, bubble wrap, jars, and even old newspapers into her imaginative art. Recently, she crafted a butterfly from a broken wooden spoon and a deflated Whoopee cushion. Every piece is cherished — well, except for that one milk jug filled with crayons that began to emit an unpleasant odor after a few days.
Living in a compact home means that as the holiday season approaches, bringing with it a flood of new toys, clothes, and art supplies, we need to create some space. This calls for a serious decluttering session to clear out toys and crafts that no longer hold value for us.
This concept, however, is not always embraced by some family members who might benefit from a hoarding intervention. So this week, I decided to involve my kids in the toy cleanout. I wasn’t sure which toys they might be attached to, but I thought it could teach them about generosity. Yes, I would engage the kids in this endeavor, and then write about how wonderfully it all unfolded.
Looking back, I have to chuckle at my past self. Here’s how our Pre-Christmas Toy Cleanout unfolded this year:
- Getting Ready: I sat down with the kids and said, “Alright, little ones, we’re going to part with some items. Take a look around and think about which toys you haven’t played with for a while. Imagine how thrilled another child would be to have your unused dollhouse or train set. Right?”
- Timing is Key: I waited until they were well-fed and well-rested. I had prepped them for the idea, allowing them to process the notion of letting go.
- Tackling the Toy Bin: I started pulling toys out one by one. A broken yo-yo? In the trash. Unused finger puppets? Off to donation. Countless Happy Meal toys? Bye-bye. Out went too-small dress-up outfits, baby Lego sets, toddler puzzles, and a bag of plastic snakes that nobody wanted.
- Sudden Affection: Around this point, my kids began professing love for every single item. Yes, they adored the squished-faced doll, the creepy remote-controlled tarantula that had a mishap in the bath, and even the box of plastic party favors. They loved them all — couldn’t possibly live without them!
- Distraction Alert: They forgot about the cleanout and began playing with the toys instead.
- Firm Stance: I stood my ground. “Nope, we’re doing this! These toys are unloved! Don’t you want them to be cherished by someone else? We’ve all seen what happens to unloved toys in Toy Story, remember?”
- Tears and Whining: And then came the tears. Oh no, the toys were sad to leave their owners. (Why did I have to mention Toy Story?)
- Minimal Acceptance: They reluctantly agreed to part with one broken doll arm and a puzzle missing half its pieces.
- Stealth Mode: When they were at school, I gathered up everything they hadn’t touched in over a year and quietly packed it away for donation. Just like in previous years, because I must have a selective memory about what we own.
- Victory! We successfully decluttered, and the kids remain blissfully unaware of what’s gone. I’m jotting this down so I won’t forget this day when next year rolls around.
I genuinely aimed to involve my kids in this toy cleanout, and you’d think after a decade of parenting, I’d have a better grasp of how these situations would unfold. But alas, I still find myself in the same boat. So, here I am, back to managing my treasured toilet paper tube collection.
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In summary, this year’s Pre-Christmas Toy Cleanout was both a challenge and a lesson in letting go, reminding us of the importance of making space for new memories while imparting values of generosity to our children.