I heard an interesting statistic the other day. Most
American children have a few hundred toys by the time they are in grade school.
But daily play with only 12 on an
average. So as you are wading through
the shin deep flotsam of toys, broken or whole, let that number open your eyes.
Let it allow you to look down and see this bumpy, chaotic floor covering for what
it is. And for what it does to the quality of your life.
Sometimes these small, plastic, crafty things come in from
family members. Sometimes they are party favors. Perhaps they are pieces of an
heirloom fort or doll house. But if you, mom, are bringing them into your
peace, could you rethink?
Instead of trolling the $1 aisle at Target or the clearance
rack at WalMart for something to tell your child that you love them and thought
of them, how about a new idea. How about expressing that affection or rewarding
that good behavior with a memory instead? Take them to the mall carousel. Take
them for a dollar cone at Wendy’s. Take them to see Dad at work. Fly a kite. Go
to the Library. Offer to dog walk at the Pet Rescue place with your child.
Drive out to see horses in their fenced meadows. Watch airplanes land and take
off. Bake cookies and take them to a neighbor. I’m pretty sure your children
would much rather have your time than stuff.
