Granny’s Guide
By Yvette O'Dowd
A
Tackling Toy Clutter
large source of visual clutter in family homes is kid's toys. Messy bedrooms, playrooms and family
rooms create lots of stress for adults and children. The skills and understanding to organise and maintain collections of toys take many years to develop and the fact that parents feel overwhelmed by the mess shows that children are often unable to deal with the clutter independently.
Novelties.
Organised toy storage is certainly part of the solution but before organising you must first declutter. And that means taking a closer look at the main culprits sabotaging your efforts to maintain previous systems and routines. Let's take a look at that mess and identify the likely suspects. They might surprise you!
Craft Kits..
It’s hard to escape the pieces of plastic and paper given to children ..and assorted pre-packaged projects, ready for the child to unpack wherever they go. Fast food meals. Community events. Birthday parties. and assemble, are quick gifts shining from shelves, promising aunts School. Supermarkets. The majority of these trinkets are not intended and uncles, grandparents and parents "hours of entertainment". Once or designed to become permanent parts of your child's environment. opened (and usually realisation that adult supervision and assistance Some are given to tempt you to shop. Others are designed as "Shut Up is needed to get a result anything like the "suggestion" on the box) Toys", strategically placed near adult stress points like checkouts, gift the contents are often set aside unused and scattered. Those which shops and even alongside lollies and chocolates. "Pester power" is a are painstakingly assembled become treasured creations claiming recognised marketing strategy and it is no coincidence you find it hard undisturbed display space - often in the middle of the dining table! to say no to them. STRATEGIES: STRATEGIES: • Have a supply of lidded storage boxes in sizes to hold the contents • Set boundaries before these things come into your home. of kits. • Create specific storage for items like this and apply a one in/ one out rule.
• Discourage unboxing during parties and events, waiting until you have the time to focus.
• Routinely edit and remove broken or torn pieces automatically.
• Set up a display space for creations, with limits on exhibition periods. Add a construction date discreetly to art works. Pop a note on your calendar to discard.
• Use these items to create entertainment packs for car trips, waiting rooms etc.
• Encourage photographing creations rather than displaying them long term. • Routinely deal with left over supplies by adding to existing craft supplies, donating to childcare, preschool or schools etc. Discard packaging and instructions.
16 Peninsula Kids – Autumn 2022