This should be interesting...

[siercia]

In the interests of making Miss Widget's toy collection more managable, it's time to play cull the toys. Sort out what she doesn't use and get rid of it. But, because I'm insane, I think I want to involve her in the process - have her help me decide what stays and goes. She's shown little evidence of any packrat tendencies (although she's certainly most likely inherited the genes from both of us), so I'm not sure what to expect.

I think she's old enough to understand the concept, I hope I'm right. I think I'll be starting by going through some of my stuff and showing her how it's done.

Longer term, I think we're going to get rid of the toy box of doom (seemed like a good idea at the time, but the toys just get buried in there, and you can't find what you want, and you make a huge mess digging anything out) and getting a wide shelved bookcase to put in it's place. Then we can start rotating toys in and out of the bookcase every 6 weeks or so, so she can see and play with everything she has.

Comments

[kiteflier98.livejournal.com]

I think I'll be starting by going through some of my stuff and showing her how it's done.
Great idea, let me know how it goes!

Heh

[siercia]

It went over like a lead balloon. Instantly with tears and wails and very upset Widgets. She then spent the next two days talking about how she plays with everything, because I had stressed the idea that we'd only get rid of things she didn't really play with anymore. So, I'll declutter on my own for now, and work on helping her learn this stuff in a bit, I think.

[sarahparah.livejournal.com]

But, because I'm insane, I think I want to involve her in the process

My god woman are you INSANE? ;)

I've always gone in when she's not there ... mwah ah ah ah! Toy Kidnapper, that's me.

[siercia]

Yeah, but I'm hoping to help her learnt that she doesn't need to keep every single toy or piece of anything that comes across her path in life. Not that it worked any way - merely mentioning the plan brought on waterworks and great upset. I'll try again soon, though.

good luck

[mamawrites.livejournal.com]

I tried involving Julia... she was not mature enough. I'm going to try again soon though.... modeling first, by giving some of my books and clothes away, and then asking her to help me sort through her toys.

Re: good luck

[siercia]

Yeah, I think Widget isn't quite ready either - when I brought it up (before we even did anything) she burst into tears. I tried explaining that it would be up to her which things we kept, and she started insisting that she wanted to keep it all. And spent the next two days trying to play with everything while anxiously telling me that she was playing with them.

We'll try again sometime in the next six months, but not yet.

[asmodel.livejournal.com]

I've recently gone through all my stuff too. I'm a huge packrat, but I'm trying to cull that tendency. I've got about 4 big boxes of stuff ready to give/throw away.

I'm currently debating whether to keep consumables. I've found about 6 near identical erasers, and 3 years worth of soap, but it seems silly to throw them out when I know I'll get through them eventually.

[siercia]

Perhaps in the interest of clearing space, you could find somewhere to donate your extras, like a homeless shelter or something like that? You get cleared out space, people who need the stuff can use it, and you're not throwing out perfectly good stuffage.

[cranapril.livejournal.com]

Oh wow... definitely involve her in the process. I've always gone into Johnny's room (Paul is a neatnik and doesn't like his stuff messed with) and tossed everything into the center of the floor and just put things back in an orderly manner. Johnny is the WORST sort of pack rat, he's emotionally attached to everything in his room. Like bottle tops, and rocks, and feathers, and every stick he's ever used as a fishing pole. And now that he's almost 9 (eek!) it's impossible to get him to sort through his stuff and give things away. If you can get Hannah to do it, kudos for you!

[siercia]

Widget was starting to tend that way (and Wiley IS that way) so I really wanted to try and nip it in the bud. I'm a reforming packrat myself, so I understand how hard it can be, but it's not a great habit.