Lessons Learned

Like most three year olds that I know, Maddie has way too many toys. That she never plays with. Or hasn't in the last 6 months. So, yesterday I had a great idea.


"You know, Maddie, you've got lots of toys and I think we need to get rid of some of them."

"NO"

"Well, there are lots of boys and girls that don't have very much, so don't you think it would be a great idea if you shared some of your toys and took them to Goodwill?"

"Not really."

"Um, well, we need the room for all the other toys Santa is going to be bringing you, so we need to pick some out that we don't play with much anymore."

"Okay"


Lesson #1 Don't try socio-economics with a 3 yr old. Greed and the prospect of more toys works better.


So I made her a pile of toys- some that she hardly ever plays with, some she loves, and some I can't stand because they are so freakin' annoying. I wanted her to be able to make the decision on which toys she wanted to keep and which ones she wanted to give away. I told her to pick 15 toys and to call me when she was done.

Lesson #2 Don't do that.

First, I hear sounds of joy. Apparently she had forgotten about some of her long lost toys and rediscovered how much she loves them. Second, I hear that stinkin' piano. Need I say more?

Lesson #3 If you do decide to let 3 yr old make ridiculous decisions, remember to take out the batteries and tell her that it doesn't work anymore. Perhaps then, she will decide it is Goodwill material.

After 15 minutes or so, she tells me that she's decided on her toys. I go into the living room, and take a look, hoping against all hope that she has made some good choices (piano.must.go).

And, I find this.

Lesson #4 Take out all McDonald's and Wendy's kid's meal toys before telling 3 yr old to choose between a plastic Happy Feet thing and an electronic keyboard that has no volume control.