The Day of No Toys
One day not too long ago, this Mommy totally lost her sh*t and removed every toy from the main floor of the house into the basement. I left a few books and blocks out with them to play.
I bet you know where I'm going with this. It was magical. It was like I lifted a huge vail off of my kids. They read stories together, watched a little television together, and played outside together. This was also the same day I let them see me cry for the first time. It still amazes me how concerned they were.
Anyway, like a virus, the toys slowly crept their way back upstairs and in to our living spaces. Today has been a very trying day. I can't figure out why my kids are acting out the way they are. I gave them a second chance to correct their behavior and it didn't go well. I don't ask much from them at all. I ask that they help me make this house safe, happy, and healthy. Apparently they didn't feel like doing any of that today.
So.....BACK downstairs the toys, books and stuffed animals went.
Next, they decided to start playing rough with each other. I encourage a little rough housing, it's good for them. At some point it started to feel like they were intentionally trying to tick me off. I didn't know what else to do! While I sat thinking of what could be going through their little heads I started crying. Just like the last time they became concerned. They asked a lot of questions about what I was feeling.
Now that they're napping it's truly dawning on me exactly what kids need. I've read it a thousand times before. They need love and respect. I showed them nothing but love and in my weak moments they showed it back. "Things" have only ever brought out the worst in my kids. "Presents" and "surprises" have encouraged their materialistic side. This has been my personal experience with my kids. I understand other peoples' children are not like that and I am definitely not one to judge another parent. We're all crazy and I'm glad I'm not alone.
I am seriously considering giving them all of their books back and only allowing them one toy each per day.
Has anyone else ever done "toy free"?
What was your experience like?
