Comments on: Lose the Clutter http://blogs.babiesonline.com/parenting/lose-the-clutter/ News & Information about parenting, pregnancy, and Babies Online's services Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:59:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Stephanie LH Calahan http://blogs.babiesonline.com/parenting/lose-the-clutter/comment-page-1/#comment-925 Stephanie LH Calahan Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:42:52 +0000 http://blogs.babiesonline.com/2008/02/09/lose-the-clutter/#comment-925 I could not agree more! My son, who is now 7, has benefited from this for years. When he was 2-years-old, we started involving him in our twice a year practice. We go through his toys, books, etc. and identify which ones should move on to a new home. It has had so many more benefits than I originally imagined. He has a very charitable heart and has even offered his things to kids in need without prompting. Now, don't get me wrong, sometimes the de-cluttering process has been easier than others. When he was in Kindergarten we went into his play room and I picked up an Elmo toy. It was one of his first "buddies." Here is how the conversation went Me: What about Elmo? Should he go? Son: NO! Not Elmo! He is my friend! I cannot live without him!!! Me: But you don't play with him anymore? Son: I will! I'm sure I will! Me: OK. Let's look at it from his perspective. At one time, Elmo was upstairs in your room and slept with you every night with you hugging on him. Now, he is down here in the play room in the back of a cold closet in the dark. How do you think he feels? Son: Wow mom. I never thought of that. He is probably really sad and lonely... Me: I agree. You know, my hairstylist has a little boy that loves Elmo. Would you like to give him to {name}? Son: He would love him? He would make Elmo happy again? Me: I'm sure of it. Son: Can we go now? And so we did. We drove over to my salon and talked with my stylist. My son took his Elmo, gave him a hug and a kiss. Said he was sorry and that he hoped he would have more fun with {name.} Then he handed the Elmo to my stylist and said it was for {name} and that he hoped he liked him. This had so much power on so many levels! So, if you have troubles with your kids letting stuff go, maybe you can try this technique. Good luck! I could not agree more! My son, who is now 7, has benefited from this for years. When he was 2-years-old, we started involving him in our twice a year practice. We go through his toys, books, etc. and identify which ones should move on to a new home. It has had so many more benefits than I originally imagined. He has a very charitable heart and has even offered his things to kids in need without prompting.

Now, don’t get me wrong, sometimes the de-cluttering process has been easier than others. When he was in Kindergarten we went into his play room and I picked up an Elmo toy. It was one of his first “buddies.” Here is how the conversation went

Me: What about Elmo? Should he go?
Son: NO! Not Elmo! He is my friend! I cannot live without him!!!

Me: But you don’t play with him anymore?
Son: I will! I’m sure I will!

Me: OK. Let’s look at it from his perspective. At one time, Elmo was upstairs in your room and slept with you every night with you hugging on him. Now, he is down here in the play room in the back of a cold closet in the dark. How do you think he feels?
Son: Wow mom. I never thought of that. He is probably really sad and lonely…

Me: I agree. You know, my hairstylist has a little boy that loves Elmo. Would you like to give him to {name}?
Son: He would love him? He would make Elmo happy again?

Me: I’m sure of it.
Son: Can we go now?

And so we did. We drove over to my salon and talked with my stylist. My son took his Elmo, gave him a hug and a kiss. Said he was sorry and that he hoped he would have more fun with {name.} Then he handed the Elmo to my stylist and said it was for {name} and that he hoped he liked him.

This had so much power on so many levels! So, if you have troubles with your kids letting stuff go, maybe you can try this technique.
Good luck!

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