Not practicing what I preach.
Posted on July 19, 2008
As organized as I like to think I am, I have a couple of soft spots: books and toys. Chloe is starting to outgrow her play room again, and it is time to do the purge.
A majority of the toys will be set aside and stored up in the attic for baby #2 (with the assumption there will be a baby #2.) Some toys we will just get rid of. Either they are missing too many parts to really make them useful to anyone, or they’re broken. It always surprises me when things go missing. I am militant about cleaning up every day and checking to make sure all the toys are complete. And yet, little elves or sprites (or cats) seem to be spiriting away some of her toys. I am not surprised when toys get broken. I am trying to teach Chloe to respect her possessions and not damage her things, but she’s still a child. And let’s face it, some of these toys aren’t made very well.
I know what I should do. The issue is execution. I am having a difficult time deciding what to keep, what to store, and what to get rid of. Ellen is going to laugh at this post because a little over a year ago I was having the same conversation with her regarding her kids’ toys. I remember thinking, “How hard can it be?” Well, I apologize for underestimating the difficulty factor when it comes to weeding out your child’s most cherished possessions. It’s hard because not only does your child have an emotional attachment to these items, but so do you. I remember every present, care package from grandparents, and shopping trip.
Not to mention the fact that I will pull the toy out of her play room and set it aside with the idea that it will be on the chopping block. Of course, Chloe will find renewed interest in it and spend a good half an hour playing with it. Then I feel like I can’t get rid of it. “See,” I say to John, “she still plays with it.” He responds, “Do you actually think she’ll notice when it’s gone?” And the answer is, “Of course not.” She has numerous other things to distract her. But for some reason It’s still hard.
However, there is something to be said for the excess (Okay, I admit it, now shut up.) Chloe really does have an excessive amount of toys. She has a pretty large bedroom that is full, and a decent size playroom which is also full. (I would give you room dimensions, but that’s way too much effort.) And, I confess, I keep buying more. I’ll realize she has a hole in a “category” of toy. For example, she loves to play with John’s tools, but she didn’t have her own tool box. So, I bought her one of those Melissa and Doug tool boxes that will help improve her fine motor skills and eye hand coordination. Does she need it, no. Will it help her, YES! (I just can’t turn off that damn “teacher” button!)
I am a FIRM believer in the “one in one out rule,” when it comes to ME. I just can’t commit to that when it comes to Chloe. That being said, I am mustering up my courage (there is nothing like the rath of a two year old who is missing a toy) and about to begin the purging process. I am fully anticipating this it going to take me several hours, which is why I am blogging. Procrastination is yet another weakness.