Why is this so hard to do? I need to go through the girls things, get rid of stuff, purging their toys, clothes, etc. It is a challenge. Especially when you have 3 girls at different stages of playing, growth and personality. Clothes are getting easier but Brian says I keep way to much. Though, now that I have a niece, she can wear all of what I saved! I suppose once I have gone down the nieces phase (assuming I will have more!) then I can get rid of more clothes. It's not my fault I had 3 girls! Erin says that Ellen has a new outfit for everyday till she's 1! Ha, that's what 3 girls gets you, a LOT of clothes!
Toys is another matter. I want to get rid of some stuff but then as soon as I think I can, someone plays with it! Ahhhh, please just grow out of it already! There are definitely things that I have gotten better about though.
1. Don't save puzzles that don't have all the pieces anymore, you will not find the missing ones and if you do, you won't want to figure out which puzzle it goes to.
2. Don't save board games for the same reason. The good games are always around forever, ie Candyland, Shutes and Ladders, etc.
3. Toys are not made like they used to be! Things are getting more cheaply made and kids are hard on them.
4. Don't save it if it's broken. You will not find the time to glue/sew/patch it back together (see #3).
5. Don't let your kid have something you don't want ruined, broken, used for who knows what in tea parties. You'd be surprised what I find after a tea party (see rule #4).
6. Which reminds me, tea parties should be sanctioned. Unofficial tea parties always lead to trouble.
7. If your child has a table in their room, make sure the rules are clearly defined as to why it is there (see rule #5 and #6).
I am all about storing things and keeping them but there will be a point when the attic is full and I will have to go through the contents and do some more purging. I WILL NOT get myself to the point that Clean House or Hoarders will need to come to get me some help. Brian would disagree but I just remind him of all the money that I have saved from not getting rid of clothes or toys when we have had another kid and that now we get a great tax write off when I finally decide to let go!
