Constant clear outs

[clearingout]

If you have kids do you find you are constantly clearing out? Aibu to find it overwhelming?! Over summer I had to go through all uniform and give away anything outgrown, have ordered new school uniform, new school shoes, trainers (had gone up a size). Last week children were in shorts now the weathers turning so need to pack all summer stuff away but dig out autumn/winter stuff. Lots of that is now too small so another clear out needed. Child is half way point between birthdays so half of clothes are in one aged size and the other in the next size up. It's constant! And then there's all mine!

Yes. All the time, especially since Kondo-ing the first time. We are 4 in a 2 bed apartment, and even with storage it gets cluttered quickly. So I try to keep on top of it. We always have tip / charity / recycle bags sitting out to be filled.

Something that helps is just not replacing everything, every time. I am far from having a capsule wardrobe, but I'm got a lot more ruthless both about what I keep and what I buy in the first place.

It's totally normal. That's why charities constantly post bags, they know most families have bits they just want gone and with some of the charity shops closing, it isn't always convient to get to one. It's best to keep on top of it, though. Or you drown in stuff.

I have a family down the street we're friends with, their dc are a year behind mine. I have a box under a bed that I throw things into most days when I realise they are too small (my dc grow like weeds) and most weeks I'll pop a bag down the road.
Dont make it into a big deal, just keep a box or bag in the utility or wherever, and get rid weekly, it never becomes a big chore then.

Yes, it is constant. And if you don’t do it, you end up with stuff everywhere and never able to find anything….

Yes, perfectly normal and something to keep on top of until they leave school! Little and often is my advice.

Yup constant, at least with clothes and craft stuff. Toys before birthdays/Christmas. I'm also on a minimalist drive so other stuff is going.

I try not to let it build up.

I am redesigning my large cupboard for better storage, part of it is going to be 3 laundry bins, 1 for clothes/stuff for charity, 1 for rags for recycling and 1 for other recycling (shoes / electronics) to try and stop the major pile up that otherwise happens

Yes, only cleared out 3 black bags of clothes 3 months ago and now have to go through it again because my toddler has out grown all of her clothes seemingly over night.

Need to have a massive toy clear out too.

I seem to go round the house room by room decluttering and sorting. Incessantly.

Ps don’t give to the ‘charities’ that drop the bags off - they’re profit making and often run by highly dubious companies.

Yes, it seems constant here as well. I'm really trying to limit what comes in as well and concentrate on quality where I can as getting rid of stuff constantly (whether charity or not) doesn't sit right with me.

One thing that has helped is only buying short sleeved tshirts for the DC. That way they can wear them more than if they're just for spring/summer. If its cold they add jumpers. I haven't noticed any problems since stopping buying long sleeved tshirts.

Also only buying the strict minimum needed. Not a full uniform x 5. I wash a load most days so they don't even need 7 tops/pants etc.

Move away from lots of little bits like in stockings. Also no happy meals to avoid the pointless toys