Comments on: Manage Toddlers’ Toys for Post-Christmas Sanity

By: Things to write home about 1/11/09 | Feels Like Home

Things to write home about 1/11/09 | Feels Like Home — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:52:28 +0000

[...] thought about putting this article about how to manage post-Christmas toy clutter from Small Notebook in the Parenting & Family section, but thought it would make more sense [...]

By: Nina

Nina — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:30:57 +0000

My kids do thrive with fewer toys. Good wooden unit blocks, wooden animals, people, trees, a couple of cars and my two will play for a bit of time happily. I wrote a post last week entitled Rotate and Reduce Toys. I thought you might like it. I know photos always offer me inspiration. As for the grandparents, request books. It worked for me this year. Keep only the baby toys you love. You know you will receive more. Nina´s last blog post..Books worth buying...

By: Weekend Wrap- Up « musings from a mom

Weekend Wrap- Up « musings from a mom — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:37:10 +0000

[...] to throw out all your kids’ new Christmas toys? (or is that just me?) Read this before taking any drastic measures! (Rachel at Small Notebook) She also shares how to beat the [...]

By: Niki

Niki — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:17:46 +0000

My kids are 3 and 18 months. I placed all of their toys in individual plastic shoe boxes and stored them in our attic along with larger toys in totes. Every few days I bring a few boxes down and store the stuff in their playroom in those totes. They have some regular toys they play with every day (blocks and small tractors) but the rest of the stuff gets rotated. When there is too much they don't play with anything. I think they get overwhelmed. Niki´s last blog post..Got credit card bills?

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:35:01 +0000

Heather, I’ve definitely seen kids get tired of opening presents! One idea would be to give them a stock share or a savings bond, and the parents can put it away until they’re older and saving up for a first car or college.

Rachel, I believe it’s a Tree Tots Family Tree House.

By: rachel

rachel — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:34:03 +0000

I know this doesn't answer the question, but I had that treehouse in the picture when I was a kid. I LOVED that thing. Do you know what it is called? rachel´s last blog post..A Jack Funny

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:50:11 +0000

You give such great advice! Nephew Adam got so tired of opening presents at his birthday. Once he got his train, that is all he wanted. Well that and a pair of kid scissors. His parents had to make him open all the gifts-of which he threw a fit over! As an Aunt, DH and I have just about decided the nephews get enough gifts without needing something else from us. I feel so bad not buying them gifts, but I know they just don’t care at this age.

By: krommama

krommama — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:47:49 +0000

my son's birthday is right after christmas. when he was younger we go through his toys before christmas to make room for the new ones. he was motivated because he knew toys were coming. krommama´s last blog post..favorites

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:10:55 +0000

I have a 5 yo and a 13 yo. My oldest (male) was easy. He was hard on toys and let them go easily especially after they were broken. Now he’s only interested in books and video/computer games. He plays sports like soccer and basketball which require minium equiptment. My youngest was very possessive of everything as a toddler, but now is eager to pass on her “baby” toys to other children in our church community. Take advantage of age transitions to quickly make the excess “disapear.” Right now all I have to say to get her to eliminate something is “do you really want to keep that baby toy?”

I’ve thought of toy libraries, but would have to start one in my area.

However, the very best way to get rid of toys: get a dog! Sailor has singlehandly committed more small plastic items to the garbage can than any human member of our family.

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:08:06 +0000

Hi Rachel!

I have a 2.5 year old boy and a 7.5 month old girl. This past Christmas, my husband and I specifically asked our kids Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles to purchase gifts *for the kids only*. That got way out of hand, so for Christmas 2009, we’re going to ask again, only this time make it *one* gift per child.

I recently purged a ton of toys, and donated a bunch (2 boxes). I gave them to a family with a special needs child. Any duplicate gifts were returned to the store.

I have a feeling come Springtime, I am going to go on a purging spree!

Love your blog! Congrats on your pregnancy! =)