Parenting: Too Many Toys for Tots?

Can toddlers have too many toys?

Yes, your child can have too many toys. How do you remedy this? Are you kidding me? You take some away! There is no rocket science to this problem. It’s all about paying attention:

* If your child expresses frustration or another disturbing emotion when he or she is around toys, take them away. Start next time with one toy. Add a second toy. Need more? Add a third.

* There is no right amount of toys for any one child. Every person is different and too many toys for one child is just the right amount for another child. Know your child.

* At Christmas and holidays, go easy on the gifts. If your child gets over-stimulated with toys, easily give that child only one or a couple of toy gifts at a time. You can dole out the toys starting the day before Christmas. You can celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas. You can create Christmas through New Year’s as a gift period.

* Put gifts given to your child by out of town relatives and friends in the closet, and give them to your child later in the year.

* Have too many toys? Many children have none. Give toys to charity. In fact, have your child participate in this wonderful lesson in charity.