Mumsnet users debate whether it’s ever OK to BIN their kids things without telling them
WITH well-meaning friends piling on the presents and grandparents only too happy to spoil them, kids these days tend to have a lot of stuff.
That's fine if you live in a mansion, but it can be tricky if your semi is starting to look more like a Toys R Us than a family home.
So is it ever OK to chuck out some of their old toys without telling them?
That's the hot topic Mumsnet users have been discussing, and as per usual they can't decide.
User TotallySpies17 kicked off the chat, when she posted: "We've got a lot of kids and A LOT of stuff. Despite having a big house we are bursting at the seams and every time I suggest we have a clear out the kids don't want to part with anything, even toys they've not played with for years or clothes they've never worn or don't even like!
"My husband suggests we just get rid of stuff but I've always felt guilty doing that.
"I'm looking for opinions on clearing out toys and kids' clothes etc without consulting them."
Of course those opinions came thick and fast, with NoCapes the first to response.
The nonsense user made it crystal clear which side of the debate they were backing: "Of course!
"I'd be drowing in s*** if I didn't."
Many other agreed with the sentiment.
JustJuanMoreBeer does it "all the time" and doesn't feel bad at all because her flat is only small.
In five years, her daughter has only noticed one toy she'd disposed of.
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GreenieGables calls herself "a serial declutterer" who slings out anything which hasn't been touched for six months.
Another user was more on the fence, with Witchend explaining that while she does get rid of things her kids know she does it.
That works for the family as it stops things getting messy, but means the kids don't have to spend time working out what to keep.
MoveAlongNowPlease has a slightly different approach.
"I got two big boxes, and put them on the floor, and took out ALL her toys at once," she said..
"I said, 'This box stays this one goes. You choose which toys go in which box.'
"Picking the ones that stay helps them to focus."
Another parent also decided against going behind their children's backs.
JellyBelli instead got her kids to take things to a car boot sale, joking they grew to love the feeling of cold hard cash in their mitts.
Another measured response came from LearningHowToFly, who explained: "We have a big clear out in every big holiday. I get the boys to clear out stuff themselves and then when they're not around I go in.
"The stuff is not taken to the charity shop straight away, I bag it up and leave it hidden for a little while, if they miss it I can 'find' it."
While some of the parents didn't understand what the fuss was about, one gave them food for thought.
Kariana relayed a story from her childhood which probably had several mums grabbing the car keys and heading straight to the charity shop to try to get back some of their stuff.
"My parents got rid of something I loved whilst I was away, they kept another similar thing as it was newer," she said.
"If I'd known they were going to force the issue I would have done it the other way round and kept the other thing. I am still upset if I never think about it nearly 20 years on."
It's enough to bring a tear to your eye, wonder if some of those mums will be reaching for a glass of wine after that...