Simply Sunday – living with kids – Bee Organized with Pamela

A question that keeps popping up is how to contain the toys in the living room?

An answer is a piece of furniture that has closed storage. That might be your accent table with a basket below or a storage ottoman if you have room.

Don’t allow you living room to become the toy room. Limit the amount of toys allowed there at any time. There is no reason you can’t have your kids store their toys in their room or their playroom. They can bring toys into the living room and then take them back when they are done with them. Or you put them in a tote or basket and put them away.

Another thing I find frequently is kids have too many toy options. Limit their options. Try rotating their toys. Let them choose say 10 to play with and you put the rest in a tote. If you do this say every month your kids will feel like they are getting new toys without you spending any money. Plus you limit the amount of clutter. Kids don’t play with all their toys. Think about when you go to grandma’s house. She has limited toys and they play just fine with those.

I see lots of stuff you buy your kids when you are shopping as a bribe to “be good.” Stop doing this! You are wasting money and adding lots of clutter to your life. While they may scream and carry on that they want a toy in the store how long does that toy entertain them after you get it home? Right there is no need for this. Just say no. Your kids have trained you that every time they go with you they get a toy. Guess what you are not doing them or you any favors. So you buy them a cheap toy that is cheaply made. It breaks soon after they bring it home. Another melt down that it is broken. I bet if you added up all the money you have spent on cheap toys you would be able to pay a sitter.

Just like don’t shop when you are hungry don’t take your kids when they are hungry or tired. Give them a snack before.

Take something with you to keep your child engaged. Younger kids need one of their toys or a book. Older kids can help you shop.

I love the tips and ideas from creative with kids. I have attached a link

13 ways to make grocery shopping with kids less torturous or maybe even fun

One of her tips is to Indulge in Grocery Store Fantasy – Good for when the “I wants” come up. You ask questions like: “OK, if the grocery store only carried three things, what do you wish they were?” “What if we could only eat candy? Wouldn’t that be funny? What would you eat for breakfast?” Of course you are not going to let them eat marshmallows with chocolate for breakfast but it is a fun game.

Another parent suggested that her kids love to guess how much fruits and vegetables weigh and then put them on the scale. As a result they eat more fruits and vegetables.

Now in most places you can do your grocery shopping online. You know that must be something that was invented by a mom, to which we say thank you.

What are your tips for living and shopping with kids.