If you feel bad about giving away a toy because it was a gift - take a photo of it. Then get rid of it. That way - toy is gone but memory is not. Fact is, kids outgrow their toys. So it should be expected that they won't be kept forever. If they are especially valuable, ask the giver if they want it back.
You could get the kids involved too. Ask them to give away toys for charity so they can learn the joy of doing a good deed. Give them a quota - you must give away 5 toys.
Anything broken - goes regardless of who gave it or whether someone thinks it could be fixed.
And introduce a new rule - anything in the shop does not leave the shop!
I think anyone who gives toys knows that they will be outgrown hun. I recently did the same and was reading a Montessori website about what kids need and the answer is, very little. Mine have their trains out right now, dolls with strollers, access to blocks and that is it. They are happy with those and because they are outside so much with summer right now they don't need so much.
Go through everything and throw out anything broken or from maccas etc.
Box up anything that you aren't sure about and put it away in a rotation box for 4 mths time or so.
Give away the rest to salvos and get the kids to help.
You will find it liberating for you, you will free up the clutter and space for you and the kids don't get so overwhelmed by the stuff around them(that is my experience anyway!) my book Organized Simplicity has really helped. I do it with everything,even at the shops now - I ask, is this thing USEFUL? Is this thing beautiful to me or us? If the answer is no then it goes or doesn't get bought.
Good luck hun and I hope you can sort it out relatively panic free
Another thought - I really should get all my thoughts together before posting lol - is: Don't feel like you have to do it all at once. Do one box at a time. Or just half an hour a day until it's done. Whatever works for you. Where to start - at the first box you see.
The rotation box that Tanstar mentioned is a great idea too. I do that for my DS. He rediscovers toys that he was previously bored with and they last a lot longer.
Rowellen - Thanks so much for all of your suggestions! I think you're right, I need to pace myself. I tend to get overwhelmed by everything and find it hard to break it down to manageable "pieces".
Onyx - I'm loving your tub for each child suggestion! I'm not sure how they'd go choosing only certain toys to keep, but it's worth a shot. I have to learn to let go a bit I think, I tend to need to feel in control of things like that and I end up telling them what they'd want haha! Oh, and my MIL is a shocker for giving way too many toys. Last Christmas she gave us two of everything so the "boys won't fight over them". It was crazy! I really would love to make a rule of no toys for Christmas, but I know she'd buy them anyway...
Tanstar - Thanks for the reassurance. I agree, kids don't need all that much. Outside, give them some fresh air and a stick and they'll play happily for hours . Our most played with toys are definitely blocks, a train set, a tea set and a little stroller. I wish I had it in me to just get rid of everything else! That book sounds like something I need to read, I really struggle with clutter from time to time. I find it so hard to give things up!
Thank you ALL so much for your replies and helping me to make sense of the situation! I know it sounds crazy, but I have been feeling panicky and tense all day about it. My brain doesn't cope too well with things like this. I had trouble finding words for DS1 earlier I was in such a panicked state! You have all helped make me feel calmer and able to tackle this toy situation!
I was going to suggest the tub for each child aswell, they can pick their favorite things and then tell them things NOT in that tub will be going to kids who need them.
You can take them to the op shop or sell them on e-bay or through friends on FB etc.
I've also started mentioning to people that we are NOT doing many toys for our girls, if they ask and it's something educational that will last then thats fine but we don't want the little itsy bits that will get used once and never again.
The best advice if someone asks what to get your LO's don't say oh whatever.. don't be afraid to say you know what i'd love some BOOKS or PENCILS etc etc.
I'm so glad its not just me, I swear our toys multiply overnight!
Thanks for this thread Trish, heaps of good ideas here. I've started culling our toys and I've recently bought some tubs so I can rotate too. I've filled up one garbage bag this week and I'm planning on more before the weekend. My motto has become 'if in doubt, chuck it' (or donate it if its in good condition!)
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I recently did the same and was reading a Montessori website about what kids need and the answer is, very little. Mine have their trains out right now, dolls with strollers, access to blocks and that is it. They are happy with those and because they are outside so much with summer right now they don't need so much.
. Our most played with toys are definitely blocks, a train set, a tea set and a little stroller. I wish I had it in me to just get rid of everything else! That book sounds like something I need to read, I really struggle with clutter from time to time. I find it so hard to give things up!
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