Imagination and Creativity

Well, I suppose I better explain my gleeful explosion during an earlier blog post. (If you missed it see it here.)

I don't know if I want to tell yet. Maybe I'll tease you. Allright, I won't.

I came across an article a few months ago that spoke to me. I've been kicking around the idea of "de-toying" the house for a while, and this was the clincher. I removed all of the toys from the whole house (except the most beloved ones and Joe's and Hannah's small stash), dumped all those boxes I used to try to organize them into a giant trash bag and put them in the garage (I haven't decided how to make the toys leave yet...).

Years of pondering the idea of the kids toys led me to the following conclusions:

• The kids play with the toys they throw down for less time than it takes for me to pick them up.
• Time spent picking up un-adored toys could be better spent doing things together. The article I read called picking up toys, "stupid work" (a very influential point for me.)
• No toys, no fighting over who gets the toy (EVERYBODY has a toy called IMAGINATION)
• Imaginary play allows them to grow in ways that toy play does not.
• Too many toys are overwhelming for young children to organize. They are just beginning to be able to order and organize personal possessions. I can't expect them be able to conceptualize and execute a plan to keep their room clean when they are overwhelmed by the sheer multitude of toys. Not fair.
• Its not fair to my kids growth and development to do for them what they can do for themselves. I am trying to teach them to to be able to conceptualize order and enjoy an organized environment. I can't do that if it takes more time to accomplish than I have available. Gotta start small. (And stay small in my opinion)
• People don't seem to value as much what they have a great excess of. A very small number of cherished toys is better than a multitude of toys about which a child is ambivalent. I am trying to raise my kids to value and care for what they have. If they are physically unable to care for their possessions for the sheer number of them, there isn't much chance of teaching them that.

I have spent time with Joe climbing trees, slicing underbrush with a machete, and crossing rivers in the living room. Aubrey, Heidi and I have turned the whole house into a grocery store where we went to buy the ingredients to make pizza. Joe and I ride dirt bikes (uh, tricycles) outside together. The kids all spend more time outside. I've seen more works of art lately than ever before. I watched this afternoon while Aubrey got out leftover blocks of wood from Brian's wood pile and made log cabins, fires, chairs, musical instruments, and who knows what else. I really do have more time with my kids if I'm not picking up after them. They really do have more time for life if they are not busy picking up toys too. I think we are all happier.

And you want to know what? They helped me do it too, lest you think there was weeping and wailing. (In fact, I couldn't help it - I giggled with joy as I filled trash bags with toys, thinking of all the fun we could have together.)

Before I removed all the toys, I explained the above reasons to them. I let them know that they already knew I loved them and that I felt this would be a solution that would make all of us happier as a family. There has not been any bored kids since the toys went away, whereas before they were always bored.

Now they alone are responsible for their play - if they are bored, it is only because they are not using their imaginations. When the toys leave the house, the whole world is your playground.