Help! My Child Just Will Not Let Go

HELP. My child just WON'T.LET.GO.

🧸 Establish that when one toy comes in, one goes out [immediately choose one toy to leave when a new one comes in]
🧮 Discuss opening up their space to have more space to play [create a special area to display (fewer) toys beautifully (whatever this means to you!) - get your child excited to go to them]
👦 Talk about giving items that were once loved a second life to someone else who will love it too [donate, gift, sell]
⏰ Get them excited about having more time to play [and less time cleaning up or looking for things]
💙 Encourage them sharing WHY items are favorites [what's most loved about them and why are they special to your child?]
🤔 Discuss the importance of making choices [give them "the power to choose" one item versus another]

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Yes, you may get pushback. Especially if this is new to your family. Or if you have a developing toddler who is all about MINE and wants to keep every.single.piece. of ripped paper, rock, crumb, you name it. I'm in the thick of that with my almost 2.5 year old.

We had two filled bins with rubber ducks and bath squirters that were hand-me-downs and gifted to us over the past few months. Here's how I just got rid of 3/4 of them with my daughter's help and hardly a peep:

- We lined them up outside in a row, talked about the colors, patterns and sizes
- I said I know you really like these - we have so many! Do you think we can give some to someone who doesn't have any? (I got a few nods)
- I asked her to pick five of her faves, then we went through some of the remaining and I gave her choices;
- Finally, when we had about 10 left, I asked her to pick two more favorites and said we'll give the rest to someone will really love them too
- She brought the basket(s) of keepers over to where we usually store them and I now have a bag 3/4 full to donate

Do any of these techniques sound like they could work for your family?!
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