To put every toy my kid owns in the garage

[Destroythetoys]

I’m doing it now and fuck me it FEELS GOOD.

He can have them back when he can play with them.

Think about it from their point of view - I can see and touch every single toy I own! Yes please I will absolutely do that, more is definitely better than fewer. Next, next, next, next.

It’s so weird doesn’t so it elsewhere which is why it had me thinking it was done on purpose to wind me up … we did a jigsaw last week which to be honest we never do and finished it and he just shoved it on the floor … why

Kids can get by on close to fuck all toys. I would have been tempted to put the kids in the garage and kept the toys tbh.....

More seriously, maybe it's his way of saying there are too many choices/toys/stuff around and paring it down to only a few (preferably non-flingable) things might mean he actually plays with them more.

Sounds like a tough day, hope you have a peaceful night.

Definitely too much. I think the problem is they just keep getting mixed up and so no one can play properly.

Honestly I don't think leaving it today and if need be tomorrow too will mean you end up in squalor. You sound so angry and stressed that it's why I've suggested doing some kind of self care tonight.

It’s stressful to live in chaos and mess and I’m angry because it’s constant and I’m so very tired of it. It’s not really anger just frustration and exhaustion.

There's nothing wrong with putting the stuff in the garage for a bit

Christ being a parent is hard, and when you can't entertain them as they are overwhelmed and just causing destruction I don't think it's bad you took some stuff away

The kids are in bed, you're reliving the day and looking round you and you're just fed up - we have all been there

I do think it also signals you need a break, so whilst the toys are having theirs I hope you have someone in your life who will give you yours?

Hold tight OP - parenting is certainly not for the faint hearted at times! When your stress is down, take a peek at those beautiful babies sleeping and breathe it in. Tomorrow is a new day, f*ck the toys!

He'll be fine. Kids don't NEED stuff, they WANT stuff.

All the plastic and shit that clutters up our lives and houses is a recent phenomenon.

Back in the day kids had one doll, or wooden train set, maybe mechano, or a board game, bicycle, fishing rod.

Chuck it all away, he doesn't need all this stuff and clearly doesn't enjoy having it.

They need so little to be happy, we bought carefully but still had too much.

Just wait to you get to teenagers though ....

OP your child's behaviour sounds completely normal, he's just being a preschooler, that's what they do. Your anger sounds extreme. Would it be worth seeking some support e.g. from a friend or your HV just to talk through your triggers for getting so angry?

(But YANBU to rotate toys of course.)

I think this is totally normal. So many children have way too many toys and then it’s too overwhelming for them so they trash the place rather than playing nicely. I remember my eldest used to play a game he called rubbish dumps. He would make a massive ‘rubbish dump’ by piling up all the toys and then drive over it on a ride on toy. That game was soul destroying!

i’ve learnt that ‘less is more’ with toys. We’ve probably got half the amount of toys for our younger kids than our eldest had when he was a toddler.

If I were you I’d leave most of it in the garage and only bring stuff back slowly or if he misses something in particular. Or rotate things like some previous posters have suggested.

It's fine to put a lot of the toys in the garage, most kids have way too much stuff anyway. How old are your little ones? Could he be playing up for attention/bit jealous of the baby? It's tough for a toddler when they have to learn to share you 😏 I would try having one toy out at a time and actively play with him and praise any acceptable behaviour! It's full on and pretty exhausting with 2 little ones, be kind to yourself 💐

Do you have your HV on speed dial or something? I’m trying to remember the last time I saw mine. Last September maybe.

Ugh. My eldest was pretty good at tidying away when told. My youngest....well even age 10 its a battle! He just likes everything out everywhere. He's very visual.

Now we confine it to his bedroom.

I really wish we'd had fewer toys when they were younger.

Personally I would pack away sets of toys (like vet / tools) and just give them at the next birthday/ Christmas. I wouldn't even bother rotating

I have a three year old and this just sounds... normal. Little boys are often rambunctious and physical when playing but have short attention span. Being able to focus on one thing to play with is something that 6/7/8 year olds can do, not preschoolers. I understand the overwhelm but don't punish hour little boy for being age appropriate. I don't like the mess either so I say to mine when he's had 5 or 6 things out to play with - nothing else until this stuff is tidied up, and then we sing the 'this is way we tidy up' song and make it a race to see who can tidy fastest as otherwise he gets overwhelmed at doing it on his own. Manage the mess as it's happening and being created rather than letting it get out of control after an hour of playing if you see what I mean. Hope you're ok. Tomorrow is a new day. Could you get your child to pick his top 10 toys to play with so he knows it's not a punishment but frame it as 'this is to help you have more fun during playtime'?

Ps. I'm a primary school teacher and many of my 7-8 year olds would create this kind of mess if left to their own devices too!

When my kids were at that stage, I let them tip it out, it stayed out all day then out away for the evening.
The saddle comes off the horse - leave it off. Put it back on at the end of the day if you must, but maybe they prefer it without the saddle. Does it really matter?
They are young. At pre school they have people to sit and play with them, they have lots of other children to play with. At home, they feel safe to just do whatever. It's not a bad thing.
When he tips the teak. Set out, do you sit with him to help build it? At pre-school age it's still quite a tricky thing to put together as a proper track (presuming wooden Brio type track). They often need a kick start to encourage 'proper' play.

People on MN are not the authority on toys , so please don’t worry about what others are doing if it doesn’t suit your family.

I know it can be hard but try not to let the mess bother you. You’ll feel better for it. Just chuck it all in a toy box before bath or bed.

Do you have a soft play near you that you can take your kids to on a playdate? Do it in the afternoon so it’s then home for dinner and they’re worn out.

I know how hard it is. I really do.

My suggestion is only one toy comes out at a time so with everything in the garage, fetch the train set, but I found that at that age you have to be doing it with them actively

You've done the right thing. If he's not old enough to enjoy the toys, put them away. Perhaps when you're feeling like you can cope, bring back the train tracks, but put it together and add some people or other accessories from other things (got any farm animals etc?) So it's a ready made game.

Sounds like he has too many, so you might actually be helping yourself a bit.
If he hasn't got Lego, cars, bricks, trains all at once he can't get them all out. He might play a bit better with a limited choice tbh. Most kids do.