A problem I think we all face. - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by melsb 

I do have to have that four years of someone was invested in that study and it really just comes down to common sense. But sometimes the studies, while pointing out the obvious, do show some answers. How many parents have you seen keep clothing/toys of their children for their grandchildren? I know, in my own family, my SIL had adorable clothes for my niece that she spent a small fortune on and then passed on to my child. There is ten years between the two girls, the clothes were horribly out of style and dd wouldn't wear the, but my SIL had carried those clothes around for ten years, from California to Idaho, and between three no four different houses.
It does make you think.

This is so true.  I have some infant clothing I kept for each of the girls, but I'm sure they will never even want them.  I did donate all their clothes after about 2 years old.  I kind of figured that they'd be out of date.

Enter me and my growing pile of boxes in the corner of my master suite. I have yet to really get rid of anything clothing wise. I am filling up my 4T girl box and my 18mon boy box. All for the next baby. Every month I hope please let my sister get pregnant so I can ship it all down to her house to store. I also have 3 sizes I am collecting for my boy to grow into. 

Yes too many toys. I have the growing pile of toys and just when I think my kids don't play with something they bring it out again. Have a lot of toys also mean a lot of toy organization. It has been a huge help. It is also a method of rotating toys so what it out is played with.  

Yes I think most of us have too much stuff. Look at the average size of a home and how it has crept up over the decades. I often think how my first home was too small yet the original owner raised 4 kids in a 1000 sqft home with one bathroom. Obviously the I am bored was met with a go outside and play. 

I know I keep a ton of stuff but at the same time I am not rebuying. Yes my kids play with the same barbies I had, the same lego sets and have the same book collection I did. There is something to be said to buying quality. I know my daughter has worn the beautiful wool coat that was saved again it was a quality item and was taken care of. 

I think there is a growing trend of people wanting to become more natural. I know that I have been removing processed foods from my diet. We have a yard what can we grow? How can we use it? 

How many people re-think there living spaces as well? I have seen dining room made into play rooms. Formal living rooms made into libraries. I think we all use our homes a little differently too. I do a lot of entertaining but other may do none. OK I feel I am rambling. In general its an interesting topic.

I have to admit we have way too much stuff too, but we have a really small house, which I suppose is an excuse in itself.  We don't park our cars in the garage, but that is because DH has a wood working shop in the garage, and it's a super small garage, when he had his truck it was too big to fit in there, so he might as well have used the garage for something useful.  We would only be able to park one car in there anyway.  I don't really feel like I let the clutter get to me, when it does I declutter and I feel better.  I do get the feeling of wanting things, but I really do try to save for them better and make sure I really want it.  I have that instant gratification kind of personality, when I decide I want something I want it now.  But like I said I am trying to be better about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by melsb 

I do have to have that four years of someone was invested in that study and it really just comes down to common sense. But sometimes the studies, while pointing out the obvious, do show some answers. How many parents have you seen keep clothing/toys of their children for their grandchildren? I know, in my own family, my SIL had adorable clothes for my niece that she spent a small fortune on and then passed on to my child. There is ten years between the two girls, the clothes were horribly out of style and dd wouldn't wear the, but my SIL had carried those clothes around for ten years, from California to Idaho, and between three no four different houses.
It does make you think.

MIL has clothes from the 80's new with tags on them she thought our ds could wear. They are some of the ugliest things you have ever seen. Ugly even by 80's standards. She kept dh's toys for grandkids to play with, guess what...she went and bought new toys for him. Clothes are our worst ones but we are working on it. Ds also has a ton of toys, and for his second bday I said consumable things please so he got bubbles, sidewalk chalk and crayons. All things he appreciates and uses and will eventually be gone. I have that grandparents want to spoil him something rotten so I have to remind them every holiday and with christmas coming up in a few months...oh boy.

I'm guilty of saving things for potential grandkids of which my dd has pointed out that she may not have any kids. lol

I saved all of my Barbie stuff from the 70's.  Dd and her friends played with these items when they were into Barbies.  I noticed a huge difference in quality.  For example, I bought dd a few new Barbie furniture sets.  In comparing the new furniture vs. the furniture I had, the new furniture was so flimsy but the old 70's furniture was made of thick plastic and is still in great shape.  That older stuff was as tough as nails and built to last.  I guess that's why I'm so hesitant about getting rid of it; I know for a fact that these toys would easily last through a set of grandkids and probably their kids and grandkids.