Too Many Toys! What I Would Have Done Differently.

Decision making is not something we're born with. It's a learned behavior. 

If kids toys are out of control or the closets it's not their fault. They didn't decide that.

Here's what I wish I would have done 16 years ago....

If I had it to do over again I would have gotten a toy box (or even better, 2 smaller boxes to rotate toys) and told her to fill it/them with her absolute favorite toys. Then take the rest of them and put them in a bag and told her that if she missed any of them she could just have to ask for it (by name) and I pull it out for her.

Her room was a disaster often and she couldn't manage all the inventory. Of course, she was just little. And I didn't realize that I was the one that was supposed to manage the inventory. Live and learn right?

After a few months, maybe 6 months, maybe a year, depending on the age of the child and how many toys there are, I would have just donated them. 

It doesn't matter if it came from a family member or a friend. They don't get to decide how your life goes. I would prefer a happy life and stress-free mind than worrying about making everybody else happy. 

Maybe my child would have learned the skills to keep her room clean now and to reduce inventory had she had reduced inventory as a small child. I'll never know now but if I am ever a grandparent I'll pass this advice along. Recently, my 16-year-old told me that she would be raising her child like I raised her in most ways so I'm pretty sure they advice would be welcome. 

I definitely did something right!

How's the toy situation looking in your house if you have small children? Any regrets if your children are older? Your own advice, if it went well for you? Let me know in the comments! 

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