WFMW - Kids, Toys, and Storage - Oh my!

If you have small kids and you're anything like me, you probably have issues with toy storage and clutter. I've tried just about everything known to man to keep the plethora of kid toys from overtaking my house in a tidal wave of red, yellow and blue plastic. There are Fisher Price Weebles under the couch, lego blocks stacked all over the bookcase, and hot wheels in every corner of the living room.

I used to use some pretty bad parenting tactics to get my kids to clean their messes up, but I've discovered three things that have really helped me out:

1.) I bought one of these so the kids could keep their toys sorted and in sight. (no digging through the toy box to find a specific toy)

2.) I go through their toys about once a month and throw away weed out all the McDonald's toys and the other little "tschotke" type toys they have.

3.) We do two clean ups a day - once right before naptime and all the toys are picked up in a quick spree and then again at bedtime. All toys not returned to their rightful place go in a "Special Box" in the top of mom and dad's closet, not to be seen for a long time. Usually, they are forgotten after a couple of weeks and when they are brought down again, it's like Christmas all over again.

This is what has worked for me. I have found that even my youngest at two is more than able to clean up after herself if she is required to. I like to think I am teaching them responsibility and accountability for their things and hopefully, those things they are trained to do now they will not depart from when they grow older. Sound familiar?

Head on over to Shannon's for more Works for Me Wednesday tips!

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