I love this new blog! I have always been a big fan of Stacks and Stacks.

Here's how I deal with the toy issue in my home: http://www.declutterit.com/how-i-handle-the-living-room-toy-dilemma

The old ones that no longer hold kiddo's interest, I put away in the back of a closet in one of those big ziploc bags. Then, when he's tired of the current set and has forgotten the old ones, I bring them out again and they're like new ones for him. Keeps him interested and all the toys get a turn

Hmmm….. I wonder if that would work for us. We have two toyboxes, a toy cargo net, a bookshelf, and one of those organizers that has the different colored compartments and tilts the back side up so the kids can see what's inside. We only have 2 kids, and there are TOO MANY TOYS! I may have to use this.

Hugs,
Melinda

Julie - We always love a fan - thanks! Nice toy bins, by the way. And a tip from my experience; you won't have your house done your way till they move out.

aBookworm - Great idea!

Melinda - Worth a try! Or maybe try aBookworm's tip.

Thanks,
Eva

This is a great idea…now to do the hard task of getting my kids to whittle down their clutter to one bin.

I'm a big fan of Monica Ricci and found the blog from her blog. Can't wait to get lots of great info and advice! Thanks!

We bought my 5 year old son his own label maker for Christmas. (He's an office supply nut anyway so it was a perfect gift!) Next we involved him in the organizing process of all his "stuff". Together we labeled and sorted and since he played a major role in this task, he has taken ownership of a system that is meaningful to him. It helps him to remember that the pencils belong only in the "writing box"; the balls in the "ball bucket"; and the art supplies go in the "art basket". We also assigned him a cabinet in the entertainment center in the family room, a drawer in the kitchen cabinets, and a shelf in my office so he has his own special place to "hide" his stuff in each room (no excuses for messes on the floor!)

BRILLIANT! I LOVE THIS IDEA! TOO SIMPLE ! THANKS!

LOVE THIS IDEA! BRILLIANT! TOO SIMPLE!
THANKS!
SUSAN

We have a nice "decorative" canvas-lined wicker basket that I put all my toddlers smaller toys in. I got the idea from a friend who used a big plastic container (I think it's original use is for holding beer and ice for parties!) — hers was so cute, but I lucked out and found the wicker basket, so it kind of blends in with our decor.

I also use stackable pull-out drawers for his closet (plastic) and put books and other toys in them and label them.

For some reason my comment won't post! LOVE THIS IDEA! BRILLIANT! TOO SIMPLE!
Thanks Monica for sending me here! You may have changed my life!
SUSAN

Susan - comments are moderated to avoid comment spam. a human has to be awake and at the computer in order to approve posts. :>)
BL

[…] of her playroom!). Also, the new Stacks and Stacks blog has a tip for taming toy clutter from a mom with nine kids. You have to stand up and listen to a mom with nine kids and a neat […]

It's always a good idea to start teaching your own children to go through their toys as they get older. I used to hide the toys and get rid of them, but as they got older realized that it wasn't teaching much. So, twice a year (before Christmas and birthday) we have a rule they can't have anything new until the old go out. Now my eight year old son has not only learned to organize his stuff, but now regularly clears out his trinkets. We have a trinket box (you know, all those junky little prizes they get everywhere) and when it gets full, he has to go through it and get rid of some. He has a "special papers" box and when it's full, the same thing. If it doesn't fit in your space, you have too much - that's my take! We donate all stuff to the needy children!

Thanks to all of you for your insight!

Great ideas, all!

Eva

We have the Rule of Ten at my house. Each kid is allowed 10 toys total. Once they reach a certain age, they decide what those 10 are. Then between the 4 of them, they geta total of 10 DVD's, 10 outside toys, things like that. Books are unlimited. Certain things that are 'sets' count as 1. Basically we set up the parameters ahead of time and all we have to do is refer to them and the kids say ok. We do make exceptions, but the kids need to plead their cases. We've also found ways to handle gifts, but that's a whole 'nuther comment.