Just Try it, You might Like it!
I have read many times that removing some toys on occasion and then bringing them back out is much like buying your kids a new toy. In particular I have read it in a fabulous book:
Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne and Lisa M Ross.
Every time I have read about the idea of the toy lending library to exist in your own home, I have thought to myself—nope. Not doing it. Why? Well, I don’t think of myself as the type to go rifling through toys and to occasionally present them, only to pack them away again later. I haven’t liked the idea of messing with toys I guess.
Also, part of the rule is that with the new toy you bring back into the light of day, another one must disappear so that the overall number of toys in the playroom stays constant and doesn’t overwhelm. So according to this concept, I am supposed to rifle through basement garbage bags of put away toys, and then rifle through bags again to store the toy that was removed to make space for the “new” toy. Simply put, many times, I have said, “I’m not doing that.” And, after nearly 5 years of parenting, I haven’t. Until today.
After all, Daddy’s continued absences call for increased creativity and resourcefulness. Also, my 2 year old is super annoying. So. I brought up a box of alphabet blocks from our beloved Auntie Kate, and the “ball popper”. Brynn has turned the blocks into a building to house her animals, and Drew has been working the ball popper incessantly. They have been playing for an hour. Uninterrupted, pure play. What were my reservations again? Live and learn. I am reminded of the phrase—can’t say you don’t like it til you try it. True indeed. Probably should follow my own advice from time to time.
