To the Mother Who Took Her Children’s Toys Away

When my initial reaction finally wore off, I took a step back, looked around, and realized a few things. Maybe, just maybe, you’re not that far off. I can understand the need to simplify things and to cut down on the clutter. I can understand feeling as though kids these days don’t appreciate things the same way we did. I can even understand why you might be intentionally choosing to live a more minimalist lifestyle.

I sit on the floor in my son’s room and I look around. I see the remnants of just one Christmas and I think it’s excessive and that it may be time to do something about it – sooner rather than later. He’s not even old enough to clean up after himself yet. He just scatters all of his worldly possessions everywhere and leaves them for me to pick up.

I’ve read stories of moms who’ve limited Christmas presents to “something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read.” I get it. If just this one Christmas is any indication of what I have to look forward to, we’re going to have to make some changes around here and it probably won’t be long before we have rules like that as well.

It’s hard for me to comprehend how we’ve accumulated so much already. And yet, when I think back, some of my best childhood memories have absolutely nothing to do with toys. I remember taking all of the pillows, blankets, and cushions off the couch and building forts. I remember chasing each other around the downstairs – through the living room, the hallway, the playroom, and the kitchen – around and around in circles. I remember playing hide and go seek in the house and trying to find each other.

What is it these days with kids having so much? Why do we as parents and grandparents feel the need to purchase so many commercially-manufactured toys? For that matter, where exactly are we supposed to store them all?

Do you feel that kids have more than they need to these days? Do you feel that everyone could benefit from living a more minimalist lifestyle? Do you feel the need to limit the toys in your house, at least to some extent? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Written by: Cristi Wuenschel