Tap Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 It seems like the less we have the better the 2yo behaves. Has anyone else noticed the same trend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Yes. Also, they will sit and play nicely together, rather than creating more chaos. I've also noticed that the less we have, the less the children get on my nerves. That's not a joke; I think I'm completely strung out by the clutter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisN in NY Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Many yrs ago, when I had only 3 kiddos, and what I felt were a ton of toys, we weeded through the toys because we were getting ready to move. They didn't need three different playhouses, 5 dozen matchboxes, etc and so on. They played MORE with their toys after that. I think they just couldn't decided. It's been 15 years and 3 more kiddos. I have way too much decluttering to do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shenan Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 YES!! But I REALLY noticed the behavior difference more in dh. :D Every time I declutter the kids rooms I find the kids enjoy and spend more time in their bedrooms. The same goes for books. Whenever I declutter the bookshelves the kids tend to pick more books off the shelves and read more. (I have learned to 'front' books I hope they will grab and read) Dh is slighty OCD and the less stuff the less stressed he seems to be. Only problem is...HE'S the packrat! :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Absolutely. Especially for one ds who seems to be having more behavior problems these days. His room gets out of control and so does he. He doesn't want it cleaned up and doesn't know where to begin himself. He insists he likes it that way. But then when I do it, he appreciates it so much and his thinking and behavior are more orderly too. (Okay, there is a bit of wishful thinking here, having just cleaned up his room this evening....I'm hoping tomorrow he'll be right on track.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Abslutely. We noticed it also on car trips. It seemed like the more we brought to try and entertain them, the less happy they were. They did the best where we brought very few things. We are very minimalist when we travel now!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I'm in for a YES! as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Yes. When they were younger, they'd play more creatively when I "impoverished" their environment. Now, after decluttering, everything runs more smoothly. Attitudes are improved, Mom feels/does better which always = better behaved kids. Home becomes a sanctuary again, which is always a help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samba2nite Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Yes Yes and Yes! When my yahoos were under four years old. I would take 75% of their toys and put them away. Every two weeks I would rotate their toys. They loved it! It was like new toys every time. They were so happy and I found that they really played well with the toys they had access to. Now if only I could figure out a way to get away with it now at 8 years old... Hummmmmm samba in sac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooooom Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 he had to have things neat and organized, the same way that he had to have a very set routine, or he was a basket case. Very stressed out. Since I am similar, it was never an issue for me - I can't think or concentrate at all with a mess around. It definitely made a big difference for him - of course he had other issues like clothing seams and tags, food texture issues, too much external input (crowds and noise). At 14, I can't tell how much he has outgrown, and how much our family has just changed our lifestyle to suit him (like never considering buying socks with seams). I worry about him going off to college with the noise and sleep deprivation, or even about him taking the PSATs next fall (if, for instance, a kid sitting nearby has a hacking cough). But he can compete at fencing tournaments (very noisy places) and if you looked into his room, you wouldn't think the neatness thing is too serious an issue anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 My kids play independently more after things are cleaned up, but I didn't have to purge that much. I mostly have to make sure things are put away. And like I said in another thread, put away means on an open shelf. They won't go near any toy boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieMonster Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 The first thing I do when I'm at a playgroup is organize the scattered toys into several groups around the room. The kids gravitate right toward a particular toy group, with one or two friends and real playtime comes out of it. I redo as necessary. When kids see a big pile of toys - or a large amount of toys to choose from - they do get overwhelmed. Many times, dumping out the large bin of toys becomes the play. I don't have all of our toys out, I rotate them. One plastic box of toys is plenty for a week or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Absolutely. They seem calmer and their play seems much more structured. They are less resistant to cleaning up what they take out when things are already relatively organized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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