With Christmas over and the new year begining, now is the perfect time to clean up and organize all those toys.
It seems that dispite the poor economy, families still went all out for their kids this holliday season; which often means a new clutter of toys to grapple with. I've noticed on facebook a lot of complaints about all the toys that parents don't have room for or don't know how to organize it all. This got me thinking about my daycare days and the great tricks I learned for organizing and keeping the clutter at bay.
One of the first things I picked up was at a small center. The toys that were out in the cubboards only made up approximately one fourth of the total toys assigned to that room. Every three months the staff would go through the closets of their room to grab the empty boxes and containers. We would put the toys from the play cubboards away and pull out the toys from the closet. The next Monday, the kids were so excited to play with the "new toys"! It was wonderful to see how their imaginations were almost rebooted and the old excitement of anything-is-possible seemed to light up their eyes. Ok, now that I've rambled, lol.
It was this experience that inspired me to clean up my act, so to speak, regarding the mess that was the toy/ playroom. Since we have had to downgrade, organization and avoiding clutter is now essential. I depend on the toy exchange and yearly decluttering right before Christmas (usually a month before) to keep my living room and children's toys organized and clutter free!
Here are a few tips to help you on your way to a new toy area or play room.
If your child(ren) have more toys than he/she/they know what to do with, it's time for donations or whatever you want to do with them. If your child(ren) is/ are over 5, I suggest doing this together. Go through the toys and have three boxes or containers (per child) to put them away in. One box should be for favorite, often used, and/ or new toys; to be returned to the toy box or shelf. Another box should be toys that are played with occasionally or rarely and under two years old; to be put in the storage area, closet or hidden elsewhere for three to six months (when you'll do a toy exchange). The last box should be toys that are broken, never used or are over two years old; to be donated, given away or thrown out. I use the toy age when I know they are not playing with that toy, but they want to keep it. Half your kid(s) toys is a good ratio for the toy exchange, depending on how much space and clutter you have. On a side note: for toys that are consistent favorites, I don't include them in the toy exchange. Remember, this is about creating excitement for toys that are over shadowed or simply forgotten amongst the clutter, as well as getting things clean and organized. My rule of thumb for the large toys is no more than five items or as long as they fit in a designated area. Generally it works out, unless you or your kid(s) happen to be packrats. My living room is on the small side, so I'm careful what I keep out for them. If it doesn't get played with often, it goes into storage until the next toy exchange, period.
This has really helped me over the years to curb the toy spending and keep the kids interested in what they already have. As I tell my friends, almost every toy exchange my kids act like it's Christmas! At least one of our two older kids make the comment "I forgot about this!" It really is a great feeling to see how much they all enjoy their toys and knowing that it was worth buying them.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The Potty Training Adventure - Take Three
Our two oldest (a boy and a girl) were very easy to potty train! We waited until they consistently woke up with dry diapers in the morning, at the age of three. We had them spend a week strictly at home, naked. It worked well, too. Day time training was complete within a week, and night time training began the following week. Again, one week was all it took to train them at night. Since then there have been few accidents. However, our newly turned three year old boy has begun the process. We've been dreading the training with him because there are so many more variables this time around.
I guess it's just better to give a quick history of our son first, so you understand. He started out developing early; rolling over early, talking early, using utensils early. Unfortunately, all that stopped at about 18 months. Then in the months following we saw regression in his development. After finding the Regional Center, and going through the long process, we had an answer. Our son has Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, or PDD-NOS. It was scary, but not the end of the world. His odd behaviors were not frequent or severe enough to fit into any of the Autism Spectrum Disorders, which is why they gave him the NOS diagnosis. His speech is delayed and limited, he walks and runs on his tip-toes, and it takes longer for certain physiological concepts to sink in; thus our concern for potty training. Our son's speech therapist and Occupational Therapist (OT) have suggested that though he may not seem ready, it would help him in other areas of development to begin trying to potty train him. So, the fight has begun!
We started last month by taking him with us to the bathroom every time we went, just to show and prepare him for what was to come; a suggestion from the OT. Then a week or so later he was pointing to the little training potty we kept in the bathroom. So, then we had him sit on the potty each time he was with us in the bathroom, first thing in the morning, just before bed, as well as before and after bathes. Though he wasn't actually doing anything on the potty, it was great practice. He loved the attention and praise he received from cooperating. As of two weeks ago, official potty training had begun and it was a rough start. From watching the kids at daycare, I had learned that kids who were in pull-ups all day struggled the most and seemed confused by the whole thing. The kids that were put in underwear during the day (though there was clearly more work and laundry involved, not to mention the inconvenience of the extra clothes that had to be brought to school) learned at a faster pace and had fewer accidents later. I tried explaining this to Hubby, but he had heard that it was easier to use pull-ups and insisted we try it out since we knew it would be a long road this time around. Well, it didn't work. All that week we tried to encourage him to go in the potty. We continued to have him sit on the training potty when we went to the restroom, we reminded him to try every hour, and even offered candy (gummy bears were used at daycare, but our Halloween candy was a great way to get rid of those leftovers). Still, no progress. It was frustrating to say the least, and we were worried that he would be struggling with this for the next year, like many children with PDD do, if something didn't change. Finally, I convinced Hubby that trying the old technique could work again, just alittle more time and effort would be needed. This week was the start of nakedness! The first two days he had no trouble having BMs on the potty, but urinating......that was a whole other story. He was inconsistent and seemed uncomfortable sitting. Hubby suggested that maybe having him stand would be easier and help him to understand the difference; smart Hubby! It worked! Though he was still inconsistent at first, he was beginning to understand. Four days in, I moved the little potty to the living room for faster, easier access. That has helped too! All day yesterday he had not one accident, and needed reminding only once. Today is day five (day one was Sunday) and so far he has had another great day! We are still using attention, praise, and candy as positive rewards for reinforcement; though now we're using the Christmas stocking candy.
While we are thrilled with his progress, we still have quite a way to go. We worry the transition from naked to underwear will be a difficult one as he learns to hold off the urges and use the big toilet. Let the adventure and learning continue!
I guess it's just better to give a quick history of our son first, so you understand. He started out developing early; rolling over early, talking early, using utensils early. Unfortunately, all that stopped at about 18 months. Then in the months following we saw regression in his development. After finding the Regional Center, and going through the long process, we had an answer. Our son has Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, or PDD-NOS. It was scary, but not the end of the world. His odd behaviors were not frequent or severe enough to fit into any of the Autism Spectrum Disorders, which is why they gave him the NOS diagnosis. His speech is delayed and limited, he walks and runs on his tip-toes, and it takes longer for certain physiological concepts to sink in; thus our concern for potty training. Our son's speech therapist and Occupational Therapist (OT) have suggested that though he may not seem ready, it would help him in other areas of development to begin trying to potty train him. So, the fight has begun!
We started last month by taking him with us to the bathroom every time we went, just to show and prepare him for what was to come; a suggestion from the OT. Then a week or so later he was pointing to the little training potty we kept in the bathroom. So, then we had him sit on the potty each time he was with us in the bathroom, first thing in the morning, just before bed, as well as before and after bathes. Though he wasn't actually doing anything on the potty, it was great practice. He loved the attention and praise he received from cooperating. As of two weeks ago, official potty training had begun and it was a rough start. From watching the kids at daycare, I had learned that kids who were in pull-ups all day struggled the most and seemed confused by the whole thing. The kids that were put in underwear during the day (though there was clearly more work and laundry involved, not to mention the inconvenience of the extra clothes that had to be brought to school) learned at a faster pace and had fewer accidents later. I tried explaining this to Hubby, but he had heard that it was easier to use pull-ups and insisted we try it out since we knew it would be a long road this time around. Well, it didn't work. All that week we tried to encourage him to go in the potty. We continued to have him sit on the training potty when we went to the restroom, we reminded him to try every hour, and even offered candy (gummy bears were used at daycare, but our Halloween candy was a great way to get rid of those leftovers). Still, no progress. It was frustrating to say the least, and we were worried that he would be struggling with this for the next year, like many children with PDD do, if something didn't change. Finally, I convinced Hubby that trying the old technique could work again, just alittle more time and effort would be needed. This week was the start of nakedness! The first two days he had no trouble having BMs on the potty, but urinating......that was a whole other story. He was inconsistent and seemed uncomfortable sitting. Hubby suggested that maybe having him stand would be easier and help him to understand the difference; smart Hubby! It worked! Though he was still inconsistent at first, he was beginning to understand. Four days in, I moved the little potty to the living room for faster, easier access. That has helped too! All day yesterday he had not one accident, and needed reminding only once. Today is day five (day one was Sunday) and so far he has had another great day! We are still using attention, praise, and candy as positive rewards for reinforcement; though now we're using the Christmas stocking candy.
While we are thrilled with his progress, we still have quite a way to go. We worry the transition from naked to underwear will be a difficult one as he learns to hold off the urges and use the big toilet. Let the adventure and learning continue!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Introductions
This being my first blog and consequentially my first blog post, I think an introduction would be most appropriate. My name is Rabecca, I'm in my early 30's, and as the title of this blog suggests, I am a Mother of (soon to be) 5 children. My children range in age from 10 years to 6 months gestation. My husband and I agreed that four kids was the right number for us, however that plan was scratched when we found out about this one. That's right, I'm pregnant with our fifth child; fortunately my oops baby didn't come later in life. As for my career; after spending my life taking care of kids (whether helping with my younger brother, baby-sitting, working in daycare, or coaching) I decided make a career of it. I went back to college last year majoring in Psychology. I'm still working on my AA, so until after I've taken more psychology classes I'm saving the final decision on my career path for later.
Considering we live in one of the most expensive states in America, the recession has been hard on us. My husband had to start from scratch in a new career, and many other changes. Though it's been hard on all of us, it's been a good change. My Husband is happier at his job, and that makes me happy. Our older kids are learning to be happy with what they have and thankful when they get more. The younger two are, as most young children are, oblivious to financial difficulties. One of the changes we were forced to make has been the move from a house to a small condo. The space is limited, but the years in daycare experience have provided me with organizing skills and tricks that save space and keep the kids from getting bored with their toys or overwhelmed with the choices.
I'm not claiming to know everything there is to know about kids or raising them, but I do hope you benefit from the lessons I have learned, will learn, and find comfort in my struggles and triumphs as a parent like you. After all, parenting is an adventure, so why go at it alone?
Considering we live in one of the most expensive states in America, the recession has been hard on us. My husband had to start from scratch in a new career, and many other changes. Though it's been hard on all of us, it's been a good change. My Husband is happier at his job, and that makes me happy. Our older kids are learning to be happy with what they have and thankful when they get more. The younger two are, as most young children are, oblivious to financial difficulties. One of the changes we were forced to make has been the move from a house to a small condo. The space is limited, but the years in daycare experience have provided me with organizing skills and tricks that save space and keep the kids from getting bored with their toys or overwhelmed with the choices.
I'm not claiming to know everything there is to know about kids or raising them, but I do hope you benefit from the lessons I have learned, will learn, and find comfort in my struggles and triumphs as a parent like you. After all, parenting is an adventure, so why go at it alone?
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