The Purge

Don’t worry this blog isn’t about the creepy movie, with the creepy people who have the creepy mask. Although what I’m referring to could be just as scary for some people.

I’m talking about the Toy Purge. 

At the beginning of the year one of my goals that I set was to start organizing more at home and get rid of things that we don’t need. So once a week I would pick a different area or room to declutter. If it was a small project I would try and do two or three things. I was off to a great start and then towards the end of January we all got sick and it was hard to get back in the swing of things. I have been doing some organizing here and there, but not weekly like I had originally set out to do. 

There is one specific area that I have been putting off on purpose and that would be my children’s toys. I always felt like I needed to keep all of their toys. A lot of them are in good condition because they don’t play with any one toy everyday to wear it down. I’ve thought, how could I possibly get rid of this toy or that; so and so gave that to them. Even if they haven’t played with it for a year or more, I know that the minute I get rid of it they are going to want it. I mean, I know I’m the same way with certain things (clothes and shoes). I don’t think they have an over abundance of toys but they definitely have more than they need (or play with). I read a few blogs recently that really helped me to know how to get started. 

I included the girls in helping me. I figure that, if I let them choose what to keep and what not to keep, they'll be less likely to get upset when they look for something that they wanted to play with that is no longer there. 

So, I have a garbage pile for small toys that were broken, missing pieces, or anything that I couldn’t recognize quickly. 

I have a re-sell pile (Once Upon a Child). I like to take some of their toys and get some type of money back for them that I can use for clothes or other useful things. Specifically some of their toys that take batteries. I know I’m not replacing batteries often so they are just being wasted sitting here. 

I have a yard sale pile. These are toys I know the resale shop won’t take, but I know we could still get some money for them. 

Lastly, I have the keep pile which is getting smaller, but by no means am I finished. The girls still seem happy with how we are doing. We’ll see how they feel when we're all said and done. 

So, I’m off to a good start, but do you have any other toy purging advise?