a fresh look

Sometimes all you need is a good room-rearrange to get your kids involved in cleaning and sorting.

On Saturday evening, I suggested to my 7-year old that we maybe rearrange his bedroom furniture in order to get ready for the bunkbeds we are waiting to pick up (someday). He thought that was a great idea and proceeded to tell me where he thought all of the furniture should go. Of course, we had to get out the tape measure to investigate whether or not his suggestions would actually work. This led into a simple math lesson (score good mom points here).

He was very helpful with the picking up and reorganization of stuff. And both boys (4-year old also) were very excited to put the room back together in its new state. There is so much storage under the bed since we moved the small trundle up against the wall. And the younger boy is enjoying the placement of his bed in its own corner, kind of his sanctuary.

We have one bin remaining to sort out. Here's to hoping after that, they can keep the room in spotless condition. Yeah, right...

relating by age

It is so interesting how different aged children relate to each other. My 6 year old plays great with his friends. No screaming, fighting, arguing. They just are.

My 2 year old, on the other hand, has not yet figured out the art of sharing or playing with someone. We are teaching him so hopefully he will learn how to give toys rather than take them. It is interesting how self-preservation comes into play. And how we have to teach children to act against that innate tendancy to look out for themselves.

As I said, we are teaching them, at their own levels of understanding, how to play with their friends so that each person can be happy and satisfied and enjoy the time together. But in the meantime, those of us who are more mature must run interference with the 2 and 3 year olds. And sometime the 6 year olds. But mostly the 2 and 3 year olds.

Repetition is probably the best thing. Break up the screaming and fighting and sort out who had what and who hit who and repeat, again, how to behave. This teaching is not an art form I have personally figured out completely. But my 2 year old is challenging enough that I should be a pro by the time he is out of this stage.

I hope.

new idea

For months I have been trying to get a handle on dealing with the toys in my house. They are always everywhere. In the family room, in the boys' room, in the kitchen, the bathroom. Everywhere. And I have not been able to get it under control.

But I have a new idea. And I really have no idea how to make this more interesting. Whatever.

I bought a cute little blue box (about 13" square) that will reside in the family room. After the boys are in bed each night (and maybe several times a day, but probably not) I will pick up whatever toys I find laying around and place them in the box. Then I can relax without stepping on whatever the boys left all over the floor.

I have some morning routines that I try to accomplish prior to lunchtime each day. I will write more on these another time, but I will add this blue box to my list of things to do each morning. The plan is to take the box into the boys' room and redistribute all of the items to their respective shelves or bins. I guess we will see how it goes...

I have so much more I could say about kids and toys and organizing, etc., but I think I will hang onto to those for another day.