TOY MANAGEMENT 101
Hi there! I am so happy that you have found your way to Making the Nest of It, the official blog for the Nesting Godmother. Before we jump into the subject that brought you here it is only right that I give you a brief summary of who I am and why you can trust the organizing gems that I will be sharing with you in this space.
My name is Crystal Johnson - a wife, mom, and pro home organizer based in Atlanta, GA. I have been an organizer for most of my life, but like many in this industry, had no clue that it would lead to a profession until I reached adulthood. Professionally, I’ve been organizing homes for nearly a decade. I have loved every aspect of it, but my heart has always been pulled to the clients that are navigating the many twists and turns of parenthood. What began as my desire to share my gift in a meaningful way with friends and family evolved into what is now known as the Nesting Godmother. To learn more about my business and how I can be best of service to you and your family, please take a moment to learn more about me here.
Now, let’s dive into the subject at hand, shall we?
Whether you have one or multiple children, you learn very early on that toys are a thorn in your side from birth until forever…What if I could impart some practical tips that could help you manage the intake, storage, and purging of the many toys and trinkets that our wonderful little ones collect along the way? I promise, these methods are tried and true. I share these practices with my clients, as well as, apply them in my own home.
TIP #1 - POWER OF THE PURGE
PURGE. It’s a hard word to digest, right? It feels harsh, but truly it’s one of the most beneficial things that you can do to bring order to your home and life. When it comes to toys, I challenge clients to take into account two main facts (1) toy manufacturing will not end and (2) children’s interests tend to change abruptly and frequently. First rule of thumb: Do NOT allow your children to guilt you into believing that they must hold on to the many gizmos and gadgets that you have bought them. They will survive and ask for something new soon. I guarantee.
So, how do you practically purge with children? It is most effective when you choose the right time and have your own non-negotiables.
TIMING Choosing the right time of day to purge is key.
When tackling a purge of larger toy items (i.e. race car tracks, toy kitchens) and child favorites that must be pared down your best bet is to enlist an ally. It can be your spouse/partner or a friend. The best time to remove these types of items is when the children are asleep, in school or away for a few hours. The goal is to remove it out of the home and in a place where it is less likely for the child to find it.
There is also the opportunity to involve your children in the purge process. I actually encourage it because it becomes a practice for them as they grow older and become more independent with maintaining their spaces. It also allows them to see that material objects are replaceable.
If you want to involve your child in the purging process:
I find it best to start asking them to help around the age of 3. At this age, they are able to be more clear on simple yes or no decisions.
Allow their decisions to be finite…try to avoid questioning their decision based on your own sentimental connection to the item (another conversation for another day).
Choose a time when their belly is full and they are well rested. Ideally, this would be a fun task after breakfast. With the essential needs of rest and nourishment out of the way, it is less likely for major meltdowns.
Break up the purge into bite size increments. Expect a 5-10 minute purge with your little one. Keep it simple and quick.
KNOW YOUR NON-NEGOTIABLES You have the power to choose what stays and what goes.
I am guilty of holding on to toys for too long. Yes. ME. I have the idea of fixing small breaks, or using a worn out toy for another activity in the future. You are not alone. After my second child was born, I cannot begin to tell you how much “junk” I’d held on to from my first born. What I can tell you is the solution. I had to make up my own list of non-negotiables. Non-negotiables are the absolute must-go items that I don’t allow myself to tussle with about what can stay.
Here’s my list:
Kid-Meal Toys. I have 3 small children, and a stop for a kid’s meal toy often ends in all of them having the same exact toy in their boxes. Once my children have un-bagged, assembled and played with the toy for the time after their meal, it is trashed. All of them.
Toys With Missing Parts. Kids play and kids rarely put things back together again. If our kids have misplaced 70% of the pieces to a toy set, it’s donated. I keep a box handy to dump the things that are no longer a complete set. Once full it is scurried off to my local donation center.
Broken Toys. Let’s face it…none of us are Santa’s little elves. No one has time to try to glue, screw or tape a toy to its original glory. LET IT GO!
TIP #2 - PLAY WITH PURPOSE
This is probably my favorite tip to pass along to other parents. I refer to this method as the Power Play because of just how impactful and practical it is. It requires two things: (1) your time and (2) your inner child. With the Power Play, it’s simple you get down and explore your children’s toys with them. While playing you engage by asking them to demonstrate how to best play with the toys and also watch how long and how often they actively play with the toys. I try to do this often with my children.
Here’s what you should be able to determine:
Does your child enjoy the toy's function or are they more interested in knowing that it is available? Oftentimes, what we believe is a child’s actual engagement with something is really just their comfort with knowing that they still possess it. Think of it this way: You buy books with the intention of reading them. You may begin reading and lose interest immediately, yet you put that book on the shelf. JUST. IN. CASE. I think you get the picture.
Has your child outgrown the toy? Again, going back to comfort. Some toys, especially the educational type, have a limit to its purpose. As your child progresses in their development, it is ok to remove those items that are no longer challenging them to stretch their learning muscles. Pass it along to a sibling or donate.
Is the toy duplicated in another toy? This is an ongoing battle for me. When you have an abundance of items you often overlook the random duplicates that exist. Many toys have similar functions and one is enough. If you are playing with toys that your children have, you will likely find that you have toys that serve the same function and purpose.
TIP #3 - CREATE SYSTEMS
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with a professional organizer in any capacity, this tip should come as no surprise. My goal is to always leave my clients with practical ways to maintain the work we do together to make their home space function well. Creating systems are the most effective way to do that. With children, systems are a game changer. Systems allow them the opportunity to flex their independence and maintain their spaces better.
Here are my top 2 systems that I implement in every play space I organize and wimy home:
Designate storage for like items. The best way to make this work is with clear storage bins. Children respond well to being able to visually see where things go. When clear bins are not desired, labeling with pictures and words allow children of all ages to participate in putting things back in order.
Picking up throughout the day. Cleaning up toys periodically throughout the day is far more effective than waiting until everyone is out of the way at the end of the night. Make it a timed game for the competitive bunch. Choose the time before naps to pick up items throughout the house that are out of place. Simply picking up as you move around the house will make a huge difference in your final pick up before you lay down for the night.
I hope these quick tips give you confidence in tackling the toy chaos in your home. Just remember, it really starts with you. Our children look to us to be the example of how they should keep things in our home. Take one tip at a time and I promise you will begin to see a difference.
I briefly discuss these tips and other helpful ways to keep your home organized with kids in my latest interview with ATL&Co., click below to check it out.
If you are in the Atlanta area and in need of a pro to help you whip your home into shape, I’d love to talk to you. I offer free discovery calls to all potential clients. Please feel free to set up your complimentary call today!
