The document provides tips for donating old toys and keeping sentimental items when cleaning out a child's toys. It advises taking the time to explain donation to children so they understand helping others. It also suggests keeping favorite books or toys of sentimental value to potentially gift to future grandchildren. The document encourages sorting through items thoughtfully rather than making hasty decisions and considering donating to charities, family in need, or local non-profits.

1. organization
Instead of simply throwing their old toys in a bin
and dropping them off at Goodwill or Salvation
Army, take the time to explain to your kids the
importance of donation centers and why they exist.
If you decide to donate the toys to a local non-profit
organization, church or family in need, explain to
them why you’re doing so. I’ve done this with my
kids and it makes the process so much easier and
lets them experience what it feels like first-hand to
give to others. You may also see a light bulb go off
when they suddenly realize not every child has all
the things they have!
Remember the Sentimental
Items. Take your time while sorting
through your kids’stuff. You don’t want to make any
hasty decisions that you may regret 20 years down the
road. For instance, my mother-in-law still has a few of
my husband’s toy trucks, and when we visit her, my son
has the opportunity to play with the same trucks that his
daddy did when he was a boy. So cool!
Likewise, consider stashing that favorite
children’s book that you’ve probably read close to
100 times away somewhere. If your children have
a family of their own someday, it will make a great
baby shower gift!
Regardless of
what holiday
you celebrate
this upcoming
season, with
kids in the
house, gift-
giving is usually
involved.
GoodbyeOld,
Hello New
TiedWithABow
JustForYou!
1
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( by tracy conner )
that said, now is the
time to sort through
and pass on the
old to make room for the
new. But before you dig
through your kids’ closets
and storage baskets to
determine what clothes
they have outgrown or
what toys they no longer
play with, here are a few
things to consider:
The Gift
of Giving.
Take this time to teach
your kids about giving
to others less fortunate.
} SpaceCoastLiving .com18

2. Have you checked your child care provider’s historyfor negative
reports and complaintswith the local licensing agency?
What is the child care provider’s adult to child ratio?
How manychildren are in your child’s group?
Does the child care provider have proper trainingand education?
Is the child care provider accreditedby a national organization?
Does the provider welcome parental involvement?
Is it a clean,safe and secure environment?
Askthese questions...
your child will thank you!
Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard,Inc.,and Florida’s Office of Early Learning
look
at Quality Child Care
Take a Closer
For assistance with questions like these and more,
please call (321) 637-7272.
Keep Your
Focus.
I know you may think
Step 2 sounds a little
counter-productive, which
is why I’m reminding you
now to keep your focus.
Constantly think about
how great your house
will look with less clutter,
and how you will now
have room for those new
goodies that the kids will
be receiving. If pieces or
parts are missing, don’t
waste too much time
searching for them. Accept
it and move on. Chances
are you will find them
when you conquer your
next area.
New Toys/Gadgets
Really Are Great.
So the house has been de-cluttered,
the kids have peacefully parted with
their things and you are ready to tell
your kid-spoiling family members, “I
just spent a whole day cleaning out the
kids’ toys, so please keep your gifts
to a minimum this year.” … but not so
fast! Don’t forget the look on your kids’
faces when they open their presents,
and more importantly, how busy those
new toys keep them while they are out
of school! Enjoy that time and just
remember that spring is just around
the corner, so if you choose, you
can start the whole process all
over again. Happy sorting
and cleaning out, and most
importantly, Happy
Holidays!
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