Toys that last

As a parent, one of the true frustrations and daily challenges with having kids is all of the clutter. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade my daughter for anything, but having kids, sure does mean lots and lots of stuff and often lots and lots of broken and missing toys! Over the years of parenting and as a pediatrician who counsels families on the little tricks to help in keeping their sanity, I have learned an important rule: Less is More. Except when it comes to love. You can never have too much love.

Decluttering and simplifying your child’s spaces is not only good for your psyche, but it reaps benefits for your child(ren) as well. Too much stimulation is stressful. When kids are in a space that is overflowing with toys, kids are overwhelmed, distractible, and their brains cannot focus and play as well. Kids will often move quickly from one toy to the next, never really playing fully with anything, not to mention, generally creating a huge mess that makes the scene even worse. All of this transition is challenging to their brains, induces irritability, and reduces a child’s ability to focus and learn while playing.

How does a parent combat this situation? Thankfully, there are many options – let’s talk through your plan of attack!

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