Is it time to make a clean sweep?

The last time I celebrated the beginning of a new decade (in 2000), I was preparing to graduate from high school. In 2010, I have plans to graduate into a house that looks like an adult lives there (that hysterical laughter you hear? Yeah, that’s me).

Our 2-year-old has a habit, like most children, of leaving a path of toys behind her wherever she goes. When family members ask what they should get her for Christmas, her birthday, etc., we loudly exclaim, “Not toys!” Well, you can imagine how well that works.

If your child is like mine, then she only plays with a few select toys (Winnie the Pooh, a few toy cars and some books). So what to do with the mountains of toys piling up that she doesn’t play with? Hubby gave up his downstairs office, converting it into a playroom. She also has one toy box of toys upstairs in her room, along with her stuffed animals. Too bad she doesn’t play in her bedroom or playroom unless there’s someone else in the room, but at least the toys aren’t everywhere anymore.

Our Everyday Mom for January, Cheryl Allin, has her own suggestions for controlling the deluge: “We make a clean sweep through each child’s room every year around October before the holidays arrive. We donate those toys to charity or to someone in need at my church. I try to rotate toys out during the year. When I see certain toys that aren’t being used, I put them in a Rubbermaid tote, store them for a few months, pull them back out, and it’s like Christmas all over again — minus the cost!”

910moms blogger and contributor Michelle Evans Jarrell has a few suggestions, as well: “Another good way to rid your house of extra toys while bringing in a little cash is to take the new or gently used toys that your children do not want (or need) to a consignment store. Some stores will pay cash for your like-new toys and children’s clothing.”

Whatever your strategy, the best way of keeping your home free of your child’s clutter? Insisting that they clean up after themselves.

— Vicky Allen