Packrat Help
Okay, all you experienced moms and dads out there: how do you help a packrat child get rid of stuff?
#1 will be five (gasp!) very soon. She loves to draw and write, and she goes through reams (nearly literally) of paper weekly. A few weeks ago, I suggested that we clean their room up and get rid of a few things so that they might have room for a few new things that they just might get for their birthdays. Faithful readers will remember that this summer the kids caught me red handed when a broken toy spilled out of a garbage can in the garage, so this time I decided not to try to sneak stuff away.
However, involving them in it--and suggesting that perhaps we could throw away scribbled on papers, broken plastic things, napkins, empty glue containers (crazy, I know)--didn't go much better. #1 sobbed in broken-hearted betrayal. She shuddered with sorrow and worked herself into hysterical crying, saying things like "why are you doing this to me?" and "these are very, very precious, mommy" and "you are really not being nice". I eventually gave up...and so they have a drawer full of old paper, dried up markers, and broken polly pockets that will soon once again take over a corner of their room.
Any advice for how to help my funny little collector part with things?
#1 will be five (gasp!) very soon. She loves to draw and write, and she goes through reams (nearly literally) of paper weekly. A few weeks ago, I suggested that we clean their room up and get rid of a few things so that they might have room for a few new things that they just might get for their birthdays. Faithful readers will remember that this summer the kids caught me red handed when a broken toy spilled out of a garbage can in the garage, so this time I decided not to try to sneak stuff away.
However, involving them in it--and suggesting that perhaps we could throw away scribbled on papers, broken plastic things, napkins, empty glue containers (crazy, I know)--didn't go much better. #1 sobbed in broken-hearted betrayal. She shuddered with sorrow and worked herself into hysterical crying, saying things like "why are you doing this to me?" and "these are very, very precious, mommy" and "you are really not being nice". I eventually gave up...and so they have a drawer full of old paper, dried up markers, and broken polly pockets that will soon once again take over a corner of their room.
Any advice for how to help my funny little collector part with things?
posted by prrrof at 7:33 AM
8 Comments:
My best time to work is when they are really gone for a few days, and then I go through all of it and get rid of things that are like you said, broken, scribbled on, etc. Then I get rid of the bag--this means off of the premises (sp?) why can't I spell anymore? and they are never to be seen again, or break out of the bag while the poor child is watching. Do they notice when you get rid of things on the sly? They are attached to every scrap of paper, every broken off crayon tip and even all happy meal toys, operating or not but they never ask after something that disappears.
And then there are my children, who will not color with a dented crayon or use a paper with a dot of ink on it. Somewhere in the middle might be good... But yikes... "these are precious things, mommy"? Eep. I'd let them keep them. Until it's a fire danger. Then I'd make them stop.
well, I am not a mom of an older child, so I only can say what I think might help. I was thinking for the paper issue, could you create a kid scrapbook that could be saved, but kept in an orderly fashion. You could do it with a clear view 3 ring binder. Have a creative front and back, and then have the binder edge be creative too, maybe do one by year, so they can look back to what they have done each year...and if they want to add pictures or memories, it can be their book. Just a thought...and hopefully more organized and out of the way for you.
what if you gave her a lovely box & said that it is her treasure box & whatever she wants to keep can go in there
but when it's full she has to trade things out...
so she can have a nice box (big as you want it to be) filled to the brim with what she deems a treasure but it can't spill out to the other parts of the house
you could even just use a regular cardboard box but decorate it super special
as a "collector" (that's the nice way of saying junk keeper) myself i understand the need to keep everything 'just in case' or 'just because' & i think it is a certain personality type & i don't think it's necessarily bad there are good aspects to it & as soon as i figure them out i will tell you...
i think i made a list & it's somewhere around here...
:)
ps i wish someone had helped me learn early on that getting rid of things helps make more room for the things you actually love to play with & when you have less stuff to 'organize' you also have more time to play with the stuff you love...
you are a good mama:)
pps i love the little girl dramatics mine is only 20 months but she is working the adorable smile & saying 'mommy' in the most sugary sweet way when she wants something...
As the sister and grand daughter of legendary "collectors" I understand your confusion. I don't like to keep a half a bottle of lackluster hairspray. I figure everything can be replaced...with something better! I suggest learning to love it within boundaries. My Grandpa always had what you needed and he would hand it to you and say "I was saving this for you." My grandpa had a huge shop to fill...that may be too big for your little darling but a closet, a box something that is hers. The day you need an empty glue container for that class science project you will be glad she saved it...and you might get an I told you so.
My second born is just like that. Now by 3rd grade it is a little better. Her room is nearly always a cyclone and that's just how she's most comfortable in it. I respect that we are very different people. (Yes, she did come out of me. I was there!) But as long as it is confined to her room we do ok with monthly purges and she gets to choose what she really must keep. Fortunately, I don't live in her room. It is her own unique space.
I'm visiting from Greg and Paula's but I have 4 kids and a 1200 sf house. Not to say it isn't full! Ikea is our favorite organizing store. I love the notebook idea, and I like to frame some of their favorite works of art. I also have a box for each child in the garage. As it gets full, I revisit it and we are able to part with more. I also clean some without them around. Good luck. ~Michelle
thanks for the fabuloso ideas, you all!!! I love the treasure box idea, and a modified Ikea storage unit might work too. These are great, and sorry it took me so long to thank you all!
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