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domchurch3
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| Posted: June 18 2008 at 9:16pm | IP Logged
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I have an only child and we are currently moving her from her small bedroom to a larger one. One of the reasons we are doing this is to have one storage place for all her toys as opposed to her bedroom AND the learning room. What seems to happen is that we find her toys in EVERY room. We've never stressed putting things away as soon as she's done using them because she seems because she intergrates so much of her blocks and dolls in her creative play. We just have her pick them up in the evening before she goes to sleep. Also, she gets very upset when she has to put things away when she's in the middle of play. Her play never ends, she just takes a break to homeschool, do chores, eat and sleep and then resumes where she left off. How do I keep the toys contained and not stifle her imagination in the process. I don't know if I like the idea of telling her she must play ONLY in her bedroom, because that would mean time apart and I like over hearing her play. Is it possible to have the order that the homes have who insist on keeping it all in the playroom?
Her craft supplies are basically causing us the same headache. Anybody manage to find a happy medium?
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: June 19 2008 at 6:24am | IP Logged
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I'm hoping you get some good answers. We have the same problems here, but I have 5 children so it's probably alot worse! One thing that did help was to put in lots of shelves and make sure all the toys had their own spot on a shelf. Then, when it is time to clean up, the kids at least know exactly where each item goes.
I understand about kids that like to mix their toys. My boys use legos or blocks along with army guys or knights. When it's time to clean up everything gets seperated again, but I have to admit, I often have lego or block creations being worked on for days at a time.
Sorry I'm not much help!
Oh, one thing that has helped some is that we got rid of any of the toys that we felt were just junk. We weeded out the "twaddle-toys" (if there is such a word) and left only those things that we know the children truly loved. For the boys that includes things like Schleich knights, army guys, legos, wooden blocks, K'nex etc. For my daughter it is craft supplies, jewelry making kits etc. When it is their birthday or Christmas, they are usually thrilled when these collections get added to. It makes Christmas shopping easier, and it cuts down on toys lying around that nobody really cares about.
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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amyable
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| Posted: June 19 2008 at 6:55am | IP Logged
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We have the same type of never-ending include-everything play here too. I love Becky's idea of getting rid of toys that bother you (i.e. Becky's "twaddly toys").
I think it is totally OK to create your OWN boundries (something I'm learning a lot about lately!) as to what you are OK with and enforcing that - but only you will know what they are! Think about what bothers you the most. Is it that there isn't even ONE room that is toy free? Could you make just one room off limits for play then? She may balk at first, but it won't damage her!  Think about what your needs and serious wants are (i.e. one room off limits, two clean ups a day, no little pieces on the floor? Just FYI I'm making these rules up out of my head, we don't enforce these or anything) Think about your dd's true needs (not necessarily what she throws a fit over, either!).
Maybe I'm cruel, but I think that kids don't want to have things changed from the status quo - and might throw a fit when you change the rules. I just calmly explain my reasons and then let them throw it. I'm the mom, have more wisdom, and also have needs. Just enforce everything with a calm, loving firmness.
Well, the kids are now all up and needy, so I have to run. I hope I made some sense and helped at least a little bit! These toy/storage/play/clean up /declutter threads have a special place in my heart! 
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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amyable
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| Posted: June 19 2008 at 6:57am | IP Logged
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Oh and I meant to say: at least in our house, the craft supplies do stay in one of two places - the table in the basement or the table in the kitchen. Otherwise I'd find marker and glue on unremovable places FAR too often. That's one "toy rule" I do enforce for the most part!
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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happymama
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| Posted: June 19 2008 at 8:58am | IP Logged
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it's my dh that is mostly bothered by toy scatter. (It only bothers me when unexpected company pops in!)
So, for us, we have daily clean-up about an hour before he's expected home.
we have certain rooms that toys are off-limits, like the kitchen, and even our 1yo has that rule ingrained. It just takes a lot of repitition. I've probably said, "no toys in the kitchen!" 1000 times. :)
definitely ditto the "less is more" attitude, having a particular place for everything in the home, and rotating toys (even favorites) in and out of circulation - which means having a place to store/hide toys.
we keep all "craft" supplies in the school room, but i guess that's mainly to keep the 1yo out of 'em.
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LucyP
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| Posted: June 19 2008 at 3:14pm | IP Logged
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We just recently moved a large double wardrobe down in to the dining room which is our "everything room". Dh fitted shelves inside, and there is a drawer at the bottom where all the duplo lives. The only thing the children may get without permission is the duplo.
We fitted all their toys and craft supplies in there except paper and pencils which are on a shelf elsewhere, one wicker hamper of wooden blocks kept in the sitting room as a simple, all-age friendly toy for guests, and a wicker pram that holds the dolls. It works really well as far as storage goes, and I control what toys come out and can also store the beads, wooden letters, counting aids etc in there, the painting box, and the big craft box: everything goes in a basket, inside - a basket of play cooking/eating stuff, a basket of cars, a bag of musical instruments, a basket of baby toys, a dressing up bag etc.
With the doors shut: no visual clutter at all.
We do a general tidy-up at lunchtime but toys still in full play mode can be kept out, then at tea time it all goes away, even built up lego models (else DS gets obsessive and violent about them). I only allow toys in the dining room, and if they are in the sitting room it has to be for active play and then they go away. Our home is tiny and these rules give us peace
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Help with Toy Storage
