Welcome back to Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF). We give you a sentence and you finish it (however long or short you’d like). Please feel free to link up and follow any or all of our hostesses, which are below.
And our very, special guest host, this week is Katia from I Am the Milk. Please make sure you visit her and show her your FTSF love today!
And now for this week’s sentence to finish: “I never understood what the big deal was about…“
Next week’s sentence to finish: “If I could go back in time…”
I never understood what the big deal was about…
Parents complaining about messes their kids could make until I became a mom to two little girls who have more toys then our local Toys R Us!
Before kids, when I worked full-time, I would do a major cleaning session once a week on the the weekends, but now after kids I think I am cleaning so much daily that I am cleaning in my dreams, too!
Everyday my two girls like to play with all their toys. They are at least being equal opportunity toy owners I suppose, but still they can’t just play with one toy and then put it away. The toy messes around here could make a sane, clean person cringe.
No matter how many times I tell them on any given day to indeed clean up and put away one toy before taking out another toy, they still have trouble with this simple easy direction that is given to them.
I am not joking when I say that they will be playing with their little (they love these little toys) figurine people from the Disney Store and making a castle with their blocks for them when one of them will decide they need to stop and put together a puzzle.
Then the blocks, little people and puzzles are out, but then it is time to place dress up and be a princess. So all the dress up clothes get taken out of the trunks they have these stored in.
As if that isn’t enough then, we are onto taking Barbies out. And still yet, all the stuffed animals need to make an appearance.
Every day, I am constantly on my hands and my knees cleaning up little kid messes more times then your average hooker (sorry I went there, but still probably why the knees on my jeans are so worn out).
Ok, I know that may sound crazy and bit over the top, but I am not kidding when I share that I feel as though I am constantly cleaning up after my girls.
Take for instance the other night, right before the girls were going to be getting ready for bed, our home looked like someone detonated a bomb in our living room and their bedroom. They took toys out and just haphazardly strewn them all over.
I began my normal speech of telling them to begin cleaning up and got down to pick up some of these toys with them.
They literally ignored me and just kept playing. They were giggling and being typical little girls (I mean who really wants to go to bed, when playing with toys can be done), but I really just couldn’t help, but get annoyed and the more I tried to reason with them the more they could care less.
What happened next, surprised even me!
I truly couldn’t contain myself and ended up blowing my cork so to speak and found myself under our kitchen sink to retrieve a big white plastic garbage bag and began throwing away all the toys on the floor I could get my hands on.
Of course, when they realized, they cried and screamed, definitely were not pleased with me.
Somehow, Kevin and I got them to bed and the toys remained in the white garbage bag on my couch that night.
The following morning, I held my ground and still wouldn’t let them have those toys and told them they needed to earn the toys back by proving that they could take care of their toys better and also be able to straighten up the messes they do make without having to be told or forced to do so.
Lily, of course, tried to be cute and snuck out her Anna (Frozen) stuffed doll from the Disney Store that she was given for Valentine’s Day from us.
She came walking into my room later that morning asking, “Can I have this?”
I knew right away Anna had been in that bag and proceeded to ask her how she got Anna?
She told me, “I just wanted her.”
Five minutes of back and forth trying to get her to admit that she took the doll out of the bag, when she finally caved.
She was hysterical and just wanting her doll back.
I admit my taking the toys away this way might have been excessive, but I truly was not sure how else to get them to listen and make my point. I think the punishment in this case by the way, definitely did indeed fit the crime.
I have since slowly been giving the toys back (Anna got given back first) as I see fit and must say they are beginning to clean up better for me daily. Not going to lie, still not perfect, but as they say, “Rome definitely wasn’t built in a day!”
Now that I shared what is a big deal for me, please share yours here with us today.
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Kristi Campbell says
FIRST
My recent post What’s the big deal about autism?
Janine Huldie says
Yay and I love that you were first here tonight!! π
clark says
(sorry to interrupt) but!! FRIST comment on Janine's blog…. totally impressed, given how, somehow, she (Janine) manages to get to everywhere fast!)
and you (Kristi) are no (something) to the (something)… score the first, then the commentation!
(sorry, I just realized I was writing 'War and Peace' for a comment…lol
My recent post what may turn out to be the most ambitiously clarklike project here at…. the Wakefield Doctrine (‘well, would you have it any other way?’)
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Clark loved your War and Peace comment. And seriously, love that Kristi was the first here!!! π
Kristi Campbell says
Ok so now that the first is out of the way and hahah that you're so often so many people's, I get this. I loved your analogy about your jeans having hooker holes and the whole garbage bag thing. In fact, we had a cleaning lady growing up (a service that came once/ week for my poor dad who raised us) and he always threatened to take a garbage to our rooms. He ended up doing it, and taking the bag out to the trash and we had to bring it back in and put it away. I see magic and parenting in this and not sad at all!! In fact, I say you're doing it right π
My recent post What’s the big deal about autism?
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks so much for sharing that with me, because I seriously felt like the wicked witch taking their toys away that night, but they truly didn't get it up until that night. We kept threatening and they just kept taking advantage of it. So, I finally just snapped I suppose, but will say they are cleaning up better now. Still not perfect, but they are cleaning up when they have to. So, definitely a step in the right direction π
basicallyb says
I don't think what you did was excessive. It did get them to listen, right? My dad made my siblings & I totally OCD about cleaning. He'd throw out our stuff all the time. Now I can't stand clutter. It's crazy.
My recent post What’s the Big Deal?
Janine Huldie says
We would totally get along, as you can clearly see and hear, I hate clutter, too. So, there messes truly wear me down and guess I finally cracked. But happy to know it truly isn't just me and thank you for sharing that it isn't tonight π
tamaralikecamera says
I really feel your pain. And it's gotten SO much worse lately because of the puppy. A puppy is bad enough, but a puppy who needed emergency vet care from swallowing what we think was either a kid toy or a pinecone? Bad.
And I constantly want to scream about the mess. I clean it five times in one hour. Then Cassidy comes home and leads the family into the goodnight cleaning and I just sit there lazily. Because I already cleaned it five times that day!
My recent post Jump For My Love.
Janine Huldie says
Tamara, we literally just had this conversation tonight about Kevin cleaning up with them tonight, because I had helped them more times then I could count today. I know he works all day, but by bedtime, I am shot and truly don't want to clean another mess at all. And I fear if we had a dog, he would definitely swallow many toys and god know how many vet trips it would take to get through to my little slobs (Kevin called them this recently and Lily told him she indeed wasn't a slob). Fun times, not!!!
dishofdailylife says
My house is a disaster, I can never keep up. Perhaps if I'd been a little more strict about it when the kids were little, I wouldn't have this problem anymore! I don't think what you did was excessive at all!
My recent post Photo Wallpaper: An Easy Way to Get Your Photos on Your Walls
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Michelle and I have been lenient about it for so long that is probably why they jus keep making these types of messes.
Ruchira says
haha…i can relate to your toys and tidiness, J9
I have threatened him that if no clean up prior to bed time…toys go bye-bye. Alas! things don't change.
Happy to link up!
Janine Huldie says
So glad you linked up and you are right some things truly never change π
notinjersey says
I've always wanted to do something like that! in fact I have occasionally bagged up some of the toys. Once I put a bunch in the basement to see if the kids realized those certain ones were missing. they never did. once I gave away a bunch and Simon asked for a specific truck I'd taken away! other times I just get rid of all the stupid goody bag / chuck e cheese type prize items and they never miss those. too bad they aren't big enough to make a difference!
My recent post Weird NJ
Janine Huldie says
Trust me the little toys from Chuck E Cheese and even from Happy Meals and such are gone pretty quickly around here. But the bigger stuff seems to make an absolute disaster of our house and seriously sometimes just can't believe how much mess two little people can!!
The Vanilla Housewife says
Same problem at home. My kids leave toys on the floor, in the kitchen, in the rooms, everywhere. Even the bathroom. I think I have mastered the art of skipping so I don't step and break anything. I think what you did was smart, and I shall try that at home!
Janine Huldie says
I know that art well and have truly almost broken a e.g. trying to jump over a mound of toys here. So, seriously I just finally had to do something and glad it doesn't seem crazy to you or anyone else what I did π
Karen says
I LOVE what you did with this prompt. I am convinced there is going to be a day (when Anthony is off in middle school playing with his friends) that I wish he would still make a mess with his toys. So what? right? I too have gone overboard with my reactions to messes…it's part of parenting…we all do it. At least our kids know we can be unpredictable and crazy…just like them, LOLOLOL
My recent post I Don’t Get It????
Janine Huldie says
Karen, I love it and you are right at least the kids know that I too have my crazy moments like them, too!! π
massholemommy says
I've given up. My house is a mess and I have kind of just resigned myself to the fact that it's going to be for at least the next five years until they are too old for all these toys and I can donate them somewhere.
Janine Huldie says
I donate a bit as I can, but seriously more comes in. So, like you just doing the best I can, too π
Kenya G. Johnson says
I can't even say "if I remember correctly" because I clearly remember how junky I was through high school. I never imagine that I'd be the clean clutter free freak that I am today. That said I have had to get on Christopher about those stuffed animals. He's outgrown the need to sleep with them all. Now it's down to two or three. But I told him that after he makes his bed if I found any on the floor, they were going in a trash bag in the closet. I guess that was a way of weaning him. He's retrieve some the next night, I'd put them in the garbage bag in the closet the next day until he was only retrieving his top three favs. He still has them all but they aren't all out anymore.
Janine Huldie says
Kenya, I truly was never this clean in my life either. I think kids have a way of bringing it out of you, because now I just can't stand the clutter and get hives thinking about!!
clark says
I can (actually) relate… (as long as species is not an absolute criteria), we have always had 'only dogs' in the family demographic and so naturally they have always received gifts on birthdays and Christmas etc, and they all have enjoyed the toys but not always so good about picking afterwards. Phyllis has a laundry basket that serves as toy box, so Una can go and get whatever she is in the mood for playing with at any given time.
My recent post FTSF the Wakefield Doctrine (no, it’s just that we’re clarks …the Doctrine will tell you everything there is to know about us)
Janine Huldie says
I love Phyllis's system and may need to do laundry faster to use my laundry basket here, too!! π
dribblesngrits says
Don't feel bad about the toys. I haven't done that yet, and I'll say why in a second, but my husband tried. Either way, my friends go off on me frequently for NOT doing what you did. Somehow, what you just did is saving the world from a-holes when your kid grows up. Apparently, that was more a public service than you realize. I remember my dad doing the same thing several times, and one time he put the trash bags of toys away for a week and told me he threw them out completely. What probably happened was he probably did throw them away, and my sister and I started circling the Toys R Us catalog for replacements, so he grabbed them back before the trash man could get to them and was just like, "I would never actually throw away your toys I love you too much for that." That's probably what happened, but I have no evidence to support that claim.
Janine Huldie says
Ok, that just made me giggle a bit about not wanting to spend more on toys and will admit they are expensive, so I couldn't truly ever throw them out, because I would end up spending more to replace them. So, definitely not worth it monetarily!
dribblesngrits says
The reason I don't do this to my kids, the oldest is on the autism spectrum. She has NEVER played with toys. If she does, it's in an unusual way to where it's not really playing with the toy. But she will play with trash toys, things like chalk, crayons, paper airplanes, kites, plastic toys from the dollar store for a dollar… what I consider consumable toys. Toys that are meant to be thrown away because they weren't built to last long. Toys I do throw away frequently enough to where the kids are starting to throw them away when they are done with them. The other kids follow her suit. I catch them playing with actual toys enough to keep the toys, but for the most part, they don't play with toys either. Instead, my kids would rather dump the bin of toys to play with the bin. Sometimes that is 3 bins of toys dumped since i have 3 kids and all need their own bin. I've tried getting them bins to just be bins to play with, color coded so everyone knows these bins stay empty, and no solution. When the husband threatens to throw toys away, one kid doesn't care and another kid freaks out (usually the only one who cleans their mess). And it wouldn't help me much because I'd rather pick up toys (especially goo free toys like the toys in your pictures) than the other stuff they do like make blanket forts, where they decorate it with stuff from my kitchen including coffee mugs and food from the fridge.
My recent post Spring Break Broke when I became a Parent
Janine Huldie says
I do totally understand why you yourself haven't done this and I think if my kids rarely played with the toys and had some underlying issue why they didn't, I would never have threatened in the first place. Believe me I am grateful that they are normal little girls that love to play with their toys, but the mess can truly get to be crazy around here and guess I just had a moment and this is what ensued! π
rynolexson says
My mom used to do the same thing with me and my siblings. If we didn't pick it up, she would throw it away-and she actually did! I'll tell you from the kids point of view- it worked. I'm sure they will learn real quick that picking up your toys is a must. Plus, if they ever have a husband one day, they will be expert picker-uppers. Boys are messy.
Janine Huldie says
So true Ryan and trust me always comes in handy with husbands!! π
Rosey says
I think the kiddos get overwhelmed with too many toy choices. That being said, I'm just as guilty of loading my own up as anyone else. My MIL said to put half in the garage and switch them out. I tried it and love it. My son loves it too, it's like he's got new toys when we do the switch. He's still got too many toys though, even after we put half in storage.
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Janine Huldie says
That is truly a great idea and love you for mentioning it here. Seriously may need to try this one soon π
Billybuc says
Stumped! Absolutely nothing came to me. LOL I guess my creativity took the bus out of town with this prompt. Oh well, have a great day despite my lack of participation.
Janine Huldie says
No worries and trust me it took me time to come up with this one, too. Have a great day once again, Bill!! π
Teresa Kander says
I've done the same thing with toys before…a couple of times, and it definitely gets the point across to them.
(Not linking up this week, as it's been hectic around here, and I've been concentrating on my #atozchallenge posts)
My recent post D Is For Dreamer
Janine Huldie says
Totally understand and have to check out your A-Z post in a bit, too!! π
lisang@expandng.com says
At least you put them in a clean trash bag, I threw one of his toys in the dirty trash can and my husband was not happy. He's right. I should have done it like you b/c then at least the toy could be salvaged. Anywho, hope your girls are better at cleaning up because it certainly shouldn't be 100% your chore. Plus, the sooner we teach our kids to be neat, hopefully, the more it sticks with them.
Janine Huldie says
Lisa, I can so see myself putting them in a dirty trashcan and not thinking twice. Just like your husband, mine would probably be furious, because of how much we spent on toys for them. But still just hoping that this does indeed work, because I am not sure what more to do baring actually throwing them all out.
Chris / HyeThymeCafe says
I did something similar back when I used to watch SIX kids for a friend of mine. That's a whole lotta toys! They went out of town one week, so I went over and cleaned the place from top to bottom, throwing out several bags of toys that were broken, never played with, etc. When they came back, the kids had a fit, accusing me (how dare they) of throwing out their toys lol. I told them I had taken out all of the clothes, towels, tupperware, books, etc. and that was what was actually left. That got a lot of "Ohs." I urged them to point out one thing that was missing, and they couldn't. PHEW!! After that, I told them that whatever toys were still out when they went to bed were going in the trash, no ifs, ands, or buts. They only semi believed me that first night. I could tell because some things were left out, but I knew they weren't items they really cared about. Out they went. Once they knew I (and then their parents) were serious about it, they started putting their stuff away before going to bed. π
Janine Huldie says
I love what you did and sounds like you totally got your point across, too. Thank you Chris for sharing this with me today π
Tracie says
I think that was really a great idea. It got your point across, but it still gives them a chance to earn the toys back. I think this is a lesson they won't forget.
My recent post I Fed A Giraffe And I Have A Book Inside Me
Janine Huldie says
Thank you for saying that Tracie and I truly hope that they do learn their lesson now and at least have a bit less to clean up here now π
lovingmarshall says
Haha! I told myself I wouldn't be the "I'm going to throw your toys away" parent, and I've totally done it too!
About once a season, though, I do go through my son's toys while he's not at home and throw out anything that is broken, outgrown, etc. Up until this point, he doesn't notice. And then our world is less cluttered for a few weeks until the toys start taking over again. What I love is that what I might consider "a mess," Marshall considers a "robot," or a "train," or a "bakery." I have to step out of my grownup-ness and use my imagination more. π
My recent post Fairytale Grieving
Janine Huldie says
I hear you on the imagination and definitely need to channel my inner child not his one for sure, too at times π
stephanie2006 says
That's definitely a great strategy, Janine! We had the same issue with our girls until we got a whole bunch of colorful bins from a certain international Swedish store and sorted all their toys by categories (Lego bin, Barbie bin, play kitchen accessories, Playmobile, stuffed animals, etc.). Each of them is only allowed one bin at a time in their rooms, and before being given another bin, they have to return the last one they fetched. Makes our room look like a toy store, but we can definitely see the flooring in their rooms again π Have a great weekend!
My recent post Lily's Confronting The Bully
Janine Huldie says
Could have sworn replied back, but going through, I don’t see it. But I just wanted to tell you we so have those bins from that certain store, but they still are very good at making their messes. But still hope that this will help now and have a great weekend, too now π
The Dose of Reality says
I think you handled it like a pro! Natural consequences are the BEST. I have done exactly the same thing in the past. The thing is, if you stand your ground, they realize you mean business and they are perfectly capable of cleaning up. Now, their "cleaning up" might not be as perfect a job as you could do, but they are trying and learning. It's part of the whole playing process. They know that now….and they will clean up (because who wants to be without ANNA?!?!? Nobody!!) You have taught them a valuable life lesson–most things, even fun things, do come with some amount of responsibility attached to them. Nobody is going to magically take care of that for you. (some parents send their kids off to college without having learned that lesson…and it never ends well) You have taught them something that will help them as they grow. Good job, mamma!! –Lisa
Janine Huldie says
Thank you so much Lisa and I know no one wants to be without Anna! But seriously, I really do hope that they are learning now and just hope for less messes in the future hear now.
day-with-kt.com says
Oh – I remember those days!!!
When Jordan was little I picked up toys all day long. Finally I decided that only parts of the house had to be picked up most of the time.
As they got older I made the boys help – I told them that anything left in the downstairs living room over night was trash (I was getting up at 4:30 to work out and did not want to have to clean first). It was rare for their stuff to be left out when I started that rule!!!
Glad your trash bag helped the situation!!
My recent post Do You Ever Want to Just Scream?
Janine Huldie says
That is a great rule and I am not up before 6:30 nowadays and I am so not cleaning their toys up at that time or like you the garbage at that time sounds like the right idea! π
Lisa @ Golden Spoons says
Don't feel bad Janine- I have done the exact same thing before. I even did it once with my doles daughter's clothes. The toys and the messes are maddening. Now that mine are a little older, it's not the toys as much, but their shoes, book bags, papers, clothes, etc. If I even mention cleaning their rooms, they sat as if I asked them to move mountains. The mess drives me insane and sometimes I loose my cool about it, too.
My recent post It's Not Them . . . .
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Lisa and sounds like I am in for it with their clothes and such as they get older,too. God help me!
Diane Roark says
Janine,
I truly remember the days when everything was a mess all the time. I finally had to confine the mess to one room only. Toys were not allow out of the room or I could toss them in the trash. I did have to throw a toy away to get them to remember. Now, my 17 year old son is the worst. He never has time with football and baseball games.
Good Luck!
Blessings and have a great day,
Diane Roark
recipesforourdailybread.com
My recent post Value Meals Link Up
Janine Huldie says
One room would be fine, but god help us with that mess, too. And I know that that day will come for us too and just hope deep down it won’t come too quickly.
Stephanie Sprenger says
My seven-year-old decided last night that we should start cleaning up toys every night before bed! I couldn't believe it! So maybe there's hope for you in a few years! π
My recent post Balance, That Elusive Bastard
Janine Huldie says
You just made my day Stephanie and god help me I really hope that there is that light at the end of the tunnel for me, too π
Tarana says
It drives me nuts too, but a friend of mine recently told me to put away toys only at the end of the day. Or maybe, you can tell them to play only in their room so your living room isn't a mess? ! I can imagine how many toys you would have between two girls!
My recent post Our lives, one picture at a time…
Janine Huldie says
Tarana, I would love to leave them for the end of the day, but the amount of toys thee two have, if I did leave it for the end of the day, would be there all night cleaning up here!
Nellie says
I can totally relate! We have "thrown away" countless toys because the boys fight over them so much! I recently found a stash that we totally forgot we hid when we "threw them out" lol!
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Janine Huldie says
I did too in our garage and thank you for letting me know it isn’t just us, Nellie π
Katia says
First of all, oh my god, yes! I could never really relate to that either until I've discovered just HOW ragey I can get over teeny tiny bits of lego scattered everywhere and I too have had several similar instances where I just grouped toys together and threatened to get rid of them. The things that we find ourselves doing as parents, right? And on a not really related note, tomorrow Ben and I are watching Frozen, so I'm about to discover what the big deal is about that π
Janine Huldie says
I think you both are going to love Frozen and can’t wait to hear what you thought of it now. And the Legos are truly the worst and actually had stop buying them for a it, because how much of a mess they made with them around here with those little pieces.
gigigirl says
I admire your standing firm and I think that will pay off in the long run. Tough love, in moderation, isn't a bad thing. Hope the girls will begin to clean up a little better and have more respect for their toys and their home environment. Bless you, Janine. Parenting is not for sissies! You and Kevin do a good job. Have a great weekend. On our way to NY in the a.m. so will catch up next week. xxoo
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thank you so much for saying that Aunt Gloria. On a side note, I asked the girls yesterday if they knew who was coming home and Emma told me immediately that Aunt Gloria was. Oh and apparently you are and Auntie are bringing them markers from what Lily told me, lol!! π Can't wait to see you both now and safe home xoxo!! π
Kat says
I've done the garbage bag thing too. When my kids were younger, they would leave crap all over the house for us to step on and my patience hit a limit. I told them that toys I found laying around on the floor would be thrown away and, after a couple of toys actually did hit the garbage, they realized I was serious and got better. Even today, they're still not perfect but my poor patience can handle where we are now.
My recent post Finish the Sentence Friday – #4
Janine Huldie says
Glad things did get better and you do give me hope for the future at the very least now!! π
irkedmommy says
My kids have so many toys! Their rooms are overflowing. Honestly, it doesn't bother me when the living room is full of toys, as long as they are playing with them. It's when they pull them all out and leave them that I get pissed.
By the way, I went through my boy's (then 7yr old) room with a garbage bag once and threw everything away because he told me I NEVER get him ANYTHING! Hahaha. He hasn't said that again.
My recent post The Weight Of Honesty…
Janine Huldie says
Love that you did that and sounded like it had the perfect effect too π
themomcafe says
I LOVE THAT IDEA!!!! I literally threaten to throw away my kids' stuff (Not really toys now, but good LORD it still is a mess!).
Here's the thing- I use my point system, and it works! I know your girls are so young, so I was a rule WARRIOR about putting things away before you start a new activity. If that didn't happen, I took whatever they left behind for a week. I still do. I took Cass's kindle away for two weeks because she left it on the table and didn't put it back in the 'electronics bin'. They KNOW where it all goes… and they did when they were your girls' age.
Keep at it hun! Your little cuties will learn soon enough. And I STILL pick up stuff after them… I have a feeling we will be doing this FOREVER.
My recent post A New Voice of Thankful
Janine Huldie says
Thank you so much Chris and they do pretty much know how to count, so the point system may not be a bad idea here even though they are a bit young. And huge thank you for letting me know that I am not alone on this and they even still need reminding as they get older, too. Hugs and really can't say thanks enough this morning π
canigetanotherbottleofwhine says
Oh Janine, this is SO not excessive. You did the right thing. If it's working, it's the right thing.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Kate and so far it has been working. Fingers crossed is continues now π
pfchico says
Our house is a nightmare. We have toys, stickers, magnets, puzzle pieces, dried up Play-doh, etc, etc hidden in every nook & cranny. Mai is pretty good at picking up her toys, but as soon as she picks up one area, she trashes the next. The small toys are the worst. I don't think taking their toys away was excessive. I think that holding firm on those things are important. They'll get there, mama.
Janine Huldie says
Your house and Mai definitely sound like ours both and think and hope we will all get there π
Cathy Powell says
Hahaha, those toy piles are sooo recognisable! π
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Janine Huldie says
I know lol!
catherine gacad says
janine, this was such a funny post. i love how your girls are "equal opportunity!" you just had me in stitches.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Catherine and I know they really do keep me on my toes π
Jen says
Oh my gosh yes!! My kids can trash my house faster than you can blink. It drives me crazy! Last wee kI caught myself asking them, “Why can’t this house just stay clean?” They looked at me blinking and wondering I am sure what all of the fuss was about.
thanks for sharing this great mommy reality post!
Janine says
So happy to share and seriously just so nice to know it isn’t just my kids!! π
Elizabeth says
I must admit that we went through our girls toys after Christmas and ended up with two garbage bags! Ahh! How does this happen. They still have a roomful of toys. Sometimes I think too many things distract us from really enjoying the things we do have!
Janine says
Elizabeth, you said a mouthful and I still am not sure where it all comes from, but even us when we get rid of, we still have so much more,too.
Joy @ Yesterfood says
Janine, the garbage bag approach is a time-honored parenting tradition. Nothing wrong with it at all, in my opinion. Nothing wrong with “There are consequences when you don’t do what momma says.” π Sharing!
Janine says
Aww, thanks again Joy for that truly appreciate it π
Rabia @TheLiebers says
I do that! I get a big bin and load them all up and put them in time out in the basement. They might be able to get them back when they do a better job of cleaning. My youngest just falls on the floor because he’s “too tired to cwean up da toys!!” Sorry, buddy. If you make the mess, you have to help clean the mess!
Janine says
Rabia, seriously love that you do this, too and I know my, Kevin and I are constantly telling them that we don’t make the mess, therefore we shouldn’t have to clean it up!
Celeste @Leapfrog and Lipgloss says
Aww, man… When my girls do that, I call it “mixing piles” and it’s a huge pet-peeve! π It’s definitely easy to lose it when I feel like I’m constantly picking up after them!
Janine says
I totalky agree Celeste and drives me crazy as you can tell!