Chucking the kid's toys away

[MrsSnape]

I'm the the midst of sorting out the kids bedrooms. I did DS1s over the past couple of days and he got rid of so much stuff I honestly can't see how it can get messy again...

DS2 is a real problem, he has so much stuff...4 huge toy boxes full of stuff he NEVER plays with and won't part with and there is still more stuff that won't fit in the toy boxes.

They're both at their dads this weekend so should I just get rid of everything he doesn't bother with since he probably won't notice anyway or is that cruel?

I sort my childrens bits out with them as I think that it's mean to get rid of their things.

I would be peed off if someone took it upon themselves to sort through my things without permission and get rid of things.

We regularly sort through clothes and toys and them either freecycle or charity shop the bits they longer want. Because it is something we have always done, my children are very good about giving things away to people that may not have very many nice things (and I mean that in a nice way so please don't "shout" at me)

my lot are 4,2 and 1 and we have a clear out once a month but I ask that whats going in the bin whats going to freecycle and what are they keeping..DS the 4yr old is surprisingly ruthless with his stuff and both dds will randomly put stuff in each pile

Yes, I don't think it would be fair on a 7 yr old to dispose of his stuff if he is against it.
I think I would go for a softer approach, explaining that he could give things he doesn't use to less fortunate children and also that it is difficult to buy him anything new for Christmas/birthdays if he hasn't got space for it. Then leave him to mull it over and give up things when he is ready.

My dd (4) is only child so she does play with all her toys a lot. She'd be mightily annoyed if I got rid of any of them without her permission.

We do a clear-out every six months and her school initiates a "give toys in good condition away to those less fortunate" exercise at least once a year. (Do furtively bin junk the free plasticky stuff that comes with magazines/fast food places and anything broken though.)

Problem with negotiating of course is she always wants to keep the most lurid pink plastic pony with highlighter-pen yellow mane and give away the tasteful wooden animals given by favourite aunt

Another approach is to designate one storage area for toys per child (I have a book-case and a couple of translucent plastic boxes for dd) and when they are full it means no more toys in without stuff going out.

I wouldn't get rid of a 7 year olds toys without asking.

Offer to sell them on ebay and give them the money so they can upgrade.