Too Much Stuff

Do you have too much stuff? I do! I bet your kids do, too! As my son and I were going through all of his way too many toys, we started making piles.

Dean Terry / Kids Photos / CC BY-NC-ND

Pile #1-BROKEN and/or MISSING PIECES

Pile #2-YOU ARE WAY TOO OLD FOR THIS

Pile #3-RANDOM ART SUPPLIES

Pile #4-DONATE

Pile #5-PACK UP AND SAVE

Pile #6-KEEPERS

Pile #7-BOOKS WE HAVE OUTGROWN

As the piles grew and I moved items from his KEEPER pile to DONATE, I was planning to haul the load to our local Goodwill and a church donation center around the corner. We have been quite a few times and it is super easy. (I am all about super easy!) Then it hit me. I am a teacher. (Yes, sometimes I forget!) I thought about how happy it makes me when people donate great items to my classroom. Next thought-this will not be as easy. Third thought-pull yourself together and do a good deed momma!

I called the preschool around the corner and asked if they would like his toddler riding toys, small puzzles and some push cars (parts of Piles Number two and four). They were elated! In fact, they were thrilled! Loaded them in the trunk, dropped them off on the way to buy groceries-CHECK!

We dropped off Pile Number Seven with the pre-k teacher at my school.-CHECK!

We threw out Pile Number One after our guy went to sleep. It would have been too painful for him to watch! (His words not mine!) CHECK!

We decided to store Pile Number Three in a tub with a lid and keep it pretty handy. (We like to make LOTS of homemade cards!)  Pile Number Six was distributed into tubs and cubbies somewhat neatly. I said somewhat!-CHECK!

So it might have taken me half an hour longer, but it was totally worth it!

If you have books to donate, please call your local school and ask if they would like them. Teachers spend SO MUCH MONEY out of pocket and you will absolutely make their day! I can say that now, I’ve been on both sides!

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