I do believe it's okay to have several sentimental toys that stay with you always. For Jake, he has a favorite stuffed kitty cat named Petty, some baseballs from key games he played in, and a cool Lego collection. Those can stay forever... maybe he'll even keep them into adulthood and show his children what he loved as a kid. I certainly wish I'd kept my Barbie dolls and my diary when I was 11-years-old.
But after nearly a decade of childhood, every single toy, puzzle, game, book, collectible and DVD can't be a favorite. Can we finally give away the Valentine's robot that doesn't work, the collection of army men and the Old Maid cards? That's just for starters.
So this year I'm trying something new as an incentive to help Jake weed out the toys and clothes he really doesn't use and can't fit in. For every item he puts in the "to go" pile, I give him one point. Add up 10 points he can skip cleaning off the table one night or delay doing his homework until after he watches 1 T.V. show; add up 50 points and he can play an extra 30 minutes of Wii or he can order his favorite dinner - Chinese takeout.
I actually write out an I.O.U. on a piece of paper with his point totals on them and let him cash them in at will. No expiration date of course... so they're good all year.
My luck, he'll be in the mood to toss nearly everything and we'll be eating Chicken Lo Mein for the next 6 weeks. I'll let you know how it goes.
Even if we make a dent in the old toys and clothes at least it clears out his room before the next onslaught of goodies... his birthday in April.
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