Our Toy Rule That Saves Our Sanity

How we promote peace, encourage sleep, and decrease anxiety in our kids with one little boundary about toys + how we help keep toys organized.

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but one day the kids’ toys will be out of your house, and you’ll miss it.

Or maybe you won’t. I dunno. I’m not you. But I know I will a little bit.

I won’t miss the clutter or the visual overwhelm of the bright multicolored plastic tossed all over our floors. But I’ll miss all it stands for: our little ones’ ages of innocence.

Wait a sec… playroom reality shot:

Okay, that’s better. 😉

(Proof those baskets don’t always stay looking perfect. Messes = little minds learning… remember that.)

Back when Olivia was just a toddler though, we started this one “toy rule” that helped a TON with cutting down on the clutter and helping her sleep better and carving out a space that encouraged peace.

And it was completely by accident.

No toys in the kids’ bedrooms.

I wouldn’t really even call it a “rule”. It’s just a way of living we’ve stuck to the past 7 years.

The result?

• Because our kids don’t have any toys in their rooms, they feel less stimulated and less anxious.
• Because our kids don’t have any toys in their rooms, it communicates that this is a place for sleep and rest during bedtime and naps.
• Because our kids don’t have any toys in their rooms, they’re not tempted to play when what they really need is just a little time out.

To be fair, our kids have books in their rooms, and Olivia has a little trunk of dress-up clothes. We let them take toys to their rooms sometimes but the toys don’t “live” there, so to speak, and they end up right back in our living room toy basket or in the playroom when they’re finished.

I can’t even tell you how much it helps our children rest and recharge and escape from the visual “noise” and for the same reason why eliminating television in the bedroom promotes better sleep.

It’s what works for us, and I know it’s not for everybody.

But if your kiddo constantly seems anxious and overwhelmed or has difficulty sleeping, it is totally worth trying.

That’s pretty much all of the parenting tips you’ll get from this blog because we’re far from perfect and stick to the DIY/decorating. 😉

Do you do anything to make your kids’ rooms places of peace? Or have any tricks you use to cut down on the toy overwhelm?

Here are a few other ideas too, if it helps:

• Toy Organization Printable Labels & Playroom Storage
• Our Favorite Minimalist Baby Gear and Montessori Style Toys
• Video: How We Declutter Toys
• 60+ Gift Ideas for Kids That Aren’t Toys

Also… I’m taking over Apartment Therapy’s Instagram Stories today to give a quick tour of our playroom! Come say hi!