Belong

“Put this where it belongs.” How many times a day do I say that to my kids? Shoes, pencils, doll clothes, books…

I’ve tried to be very intentional about what toys to let in the house. At Christmas and birthdays I encourage the girls to ask for things that go along with what we already have — American Girl stuff, LEGO, Little People, My Little Ponies… because it always seems easier when it’s cleaning time to store like items together.

Yet everything still ends up in a gigantic pile on the floor, all mixed together. And it’s therefore easier to just scoop up a handful of mixed up items and toss them into a box.

I should be happy that they’re clearing the floor, but those mixed up boxes drive me nuts. You can’t put balls with animals!! Why are there blocks in with the dollhouse furniture?!

Deep down I think my reasoning for wanting “a place for everything and everything in its place” is because I don’t believe they’ll be able to find something when they’re looking for it if it’s not where it should be. But you know what? Most often they either do find it, or ultimately they don’t really care. Toys are toys.

I feel like I should end this with some deep thoughts about us as people belonging somewhere… but I’m going to let it sit and allow you to draw your own lessons from it for today. 🙂 Leave a comment if you have something to add!

 

31Days of Five Minute Free Writes is a participation in Write31Days, which takes place every October. See the rest of my craft-practicing posts linked up here.