Tuesday, June 10, 2014

How Many Toys Should a Child Have?

It seems we have had rain every other day for the last two weeks. This has made it to where the kids are cooped up inside, once again. We need sunshine! The kids need to go play. Don't get me wrong, I'm incredibly thankful for the rain, we really needed it, it would just be awesome if it was spaced out a little more than this. Anyways, that's not what this post is about. 

Since my kids have been cooped up in the house it has come to my attention that the playroom that we spent time cleaning last week, has gone untouched. They have been spending time in their room, making it a disaster with books, blankets, stuffed animals, and building tents with their chairs that we brought up from the playroom. 

This has led me to the realization that they clearly have too much stuff. Those toys and games sitting in the playroom taking up space don't have any value to them. If they were of importance to them, wouldn't you think they would go play with them? Perhaps it's because they're in the basement? There is no door closing them off from the rest of the house though. They just haven't wanted to go downstairs and play. 

I've really been contemplating how I'm going to do this purge. What's important to keep? We did a purge in January this year and it was so wonderful, but there is still too much stuff inside this house. 

I want to teach my kids that they don't need a bunch of stuff to make them happy. I want to teach them to take better care of their belongings, something they don't do at all right now. 

They are good kids, but I want to help them grow to be amazing respectful women. My mom is constantly reminding me that they're just kids, and all kids make messes. I have two tornadoes. Things have gotten better, but I truly believe that when kids have too many things they can't take care of them all, or put them where they belong. It's overwhelming for them. 

How much stuff does your child/ren have? I have to get a good feel for what is a good maximum. We are on the road to more simplifying, it just takes a lot of time and sometimes the realization that our kids and ourselves have too much stuff just doesn't sink in right away. 

Share your ideas and wisdom in the comments below. I love all the advice I can get!