How do I pursuade my DS to part with some of his cuddly toys

[VickyPea]

My DKs are 2.4 and 6.5. I am having a pre-Christmas sort out and have bagged loads of cuddly toys that they never play with and lie around gathering dust.

I have told the eldest that I want to give them to the local Domestic Violence Refuge so that those children whose mums have had to leave home without anything can have a teddy to cuddle at night.

He is adamant to the point of tears that I cannot give any away even though we have tried to explain how lucky he is to have a bedroom full of toys.

Half of me thinks, well they are his and if I give them away against his wishes he will be upset and half of me thinks, he probably won't notice they have gone.

By the way, I only have half an hour to respond on any questions to this and will then have to log on tonight again (I'm on my lunchbreak) so please bear with me.

[VickyPea]

I think the bag of toys will be going back on the wardrobe until he has calmed down and then will mysteriously disappear - bit like the magic set that had too many small bits for ds2 to choke on !!

[christywhisty]

When we got rid of loads of cuddlies, dc's were much happier about it when we took lots of photos of them.

[Dottoressa]

My DS is six, too, and if he thinks I'm going to give anything away, it suddenly becomes his all-time favourite toy (a mouldy Teletubby? Yeah, right). The fact that they were going to a good cause wouldn't cut any ice with him, sadly.

When my DCs were at school the other week, I went down to the cellar and filled two bin-bags with toys that have been down there since we tried to move house two years ago. If they'd known what I was up to, all hell would have broken loose!

I have just excavated under DS's bed today, and have thrown another heap of stuff in the bin (bits of aeroplanes, useless drinking straws etc - which, again, he would have begged me to keep...)

I'd go for the stealth method. Take some of his cuddly toys (the ones you know he's not really bothered about) and bag them up. If he's not asked after a year or so, give them away then!!

I have two big bags of the things belonging to my DD (though I'm the wimp who can't bear to throw them away !)

[feetheart]

I've instigated a 'one in, one out' rule in our house as DD will insist on spending her weekly £1 on as many charity shop fluffy toys (or hideous Barbies) as she can lay her hands on.
She is 5 and I have already had to do the same for ramdom boxes and aged conkers/acorns - it may be an ongoing problem, ho hum!

[coochybottom]

Oh No!! It drives me nuts if there are too many!!

[Cheesesarnie]

only 7 on his bed ?he needs atleast 20 more

[coochybottom]

I like to keep on top of things and have a clear out regularly too. The only problem I have found is that having kept things out of sight on top of the wardrobe etc it is when I have eventually got rid of the things they always say "wheres my....it was here last time I looked"!

[VickyPea]

Wow, fast responses thanks. It think you're confirming what I thought, I can't do it, he would be sad and although he seems older, he is only 6 FGS. Its not like I am taking them all away as he still has about 7 floating round on his bed.

They were on top of the wardrobe but I washed them and now they look all shiny and new.

I even tried the, 'there won't be room for santa to leave any more presents' type route but it didn't work.

[Thomcat]

I get rid of things, slowly, bit by bit and when they are out of the house.

[IllegallyBrunette]

I move them to the top of the wardrobe as a compromise.

Then a few weeks later when they have forgotten they exist, I chuck them out.

[Blandmum]

You can't.

You have to wait for them to go to school, and cull them yourself.

When they ask where little Bunny Frofro has gone, say 'Myxomatosis'

Mwahahahahahahaha

seriously just get rid of some, if he is like mine, he'll never notice

[jumpingbeans]

Like bloodandmutts said, bag em up, and when he forgets about them give them away, if he asks for them at a later date, tell him they are safe in the lock up, we had a "lock-up" for years

[MadameOvary]

Hm as someone whose father gave away her much loved toys when she was far too young, I would have to say no, dont do it. Other people will be giving toys to the refuge but let him do it when he is ready.

You can raise the subject again without actually asking him for the toys, he may well volunteer them on his own.

[Cheesesarnie]

although i think your hearts in right place-i think they're his toys,if hes getting upset about it let him keep them.but do tell him they need looking after better.