So much for 'one in, one out' (toys)

[crunchy_mommy]

So I got rid of a huge mountain of toys a month or two ago... was so great to pare down to just a handful of toys!

Well now I keep feeling compelled to buy more toys.

The pile of toys I got rid of was mostly 'plastic crap' that was given to DS as gifts or from freecycle.

I am now addicted to going to the thrift store & finding nice wooden toys... I think it's partly because I never got to get him the kinds of toys *I* liked and also that DS seems to prefer the wooden ones (and so do I, and he hates to play alone!) and it fits better with my vision.

So I had a "one in, one out" rule but all the toys left are (for the most part) ones DS likes or ones I could see him liking in a year or so (he's only 1.5yo) so I haven't wanted to follow through on the 'one out' part.

We have a HUGE set of Little People including trains and trucks and carnival rides etc. which doesn't really fit into my vision but he does like carrying the Little People around and I have a feeling he'll like the whole set when he's older. But I could also get him a wooden train set instead down the line... I'm not exactly opposed to plastic toys but I guess I'd prefer wood ones & am thinking it's better to get rid of stuff now before he's old enough to truly notice! I definitely want to keep his toolbox & plastic tools, and also his See & Say and some duplo-type blocks. But I'm having a hard time with the Little People set, and the Little Tikes mini sports center that he likes but is old/ugly/single-use, and the noisy plastic shape sorter that he has no interest in, and all the Little People trucks... and I hate getting rid of gifts (and they are almost all from my family who see us often) and brand-new, barely-touched items but I hate that there are toys everywhere and they don't jive with my vision. I went to a friend's house last weekend and it just seemed so much more peaceful with almost all wood/cloth toys and not so much clutter & chaos (I can't explain this & DH doesn't understand what I mean by 'peaceful'). I'm tempted to sell most of the plastic stuff & just replace it with good wood toys but that seems kind of silly (although economical, since I've been getting a good amount of money for the plastic toys & the wood ones are dirt-cheap!) Plus then when holidays come around I know everyone will buy him more plastic toys and I'll have to do this all over again, although I have been pointing out the kinds of toys I'd like DS to have...

OK I'm sure I'm way over-thinking this. It just seems like toys are the hardest thing for me to declutter!!!

[operamommy]

I know *exactly* what you mean about your friends' house and the "peaceful" toy atmosphere. We have almost all beautiful wooden toys, and there's definately a different vibe that comes off them vs. brightly colored plastic ones.

If you son likes carrying around Little People, why not just make him some gnomes to carry around. They are super easy to make out of the wooden dolls sold at most craft stores and bits of felt for cloaks and hats. He won't need the LP stuff and will one future day have just as much fun building houses, etc. for his gnomes out of blocks and playsilks. (err...we actually do have some LP stuff from our older kids that is stored in the basement - it comes out on days when I'm ready to tear my hair out and the boys need a new change!)

[zebra15]

Simple question? Why cant the wooden blocks play on the little people town?

DS made this elaborate wooden train track that went thru his little people village and it was so cute when he was little. IT was kinda like DUH mom, all my toys can play together..

[crunchy_mommy]

Well the problem is he just DOESN'T play with the toys, he doesn't do anything with the Little People except carry them around. And it just messes up the 'peaceful atmosphere' I'm' trying to create in our house. But, I did have an idea in the middle of last night (gotta love insomnia)... I think I'll put all the plastic toys upstairs in his playroom. He plays by himself better up there (I guess because he only goes up there a couple times a week?) and then my family room (which is where most of his toys are) can have the vibe I want and there won't be so much chaos.