https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Jul 2026 05:27:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toy-rotation-questions#post-2434781 Sat, 23 Jan 2016 21:51:16 +0000 rnmcdonnell 2434781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks Mrs. Twine! That's really helpful, I think I've been overthinking it and worrying too much about adhering to the "system" :) I see so many blogs and advice about the structure of a rotation system but not much on the aftermath so I think I was imagining everyone else is somehow perfectly able to manage a couple weeks at a time with exactly what they set out which is probably not the case! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toy-rotation-questions#post-2433667 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 18:47:00 +0000 Mrs. Twine 2433667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Toy rotation, to me, is mostly about encouraging creative play and decreasing that overwhelmed feeling that us humans get when confronted by waaaay too much choice. It's also fun when kids get to re-discover favorites that had been put away after not being used for a while. Jackpot!!</p> <p>I wouldn't consider it "giving in," really, to go along with requests for specific items. Sometimes I'm too busy to go get whatever it is. Maybe Ellie (big sister) will help. Maybe she needs to wait (also a good lesson). Sometimes we can't find it. Overall, though, I'm really supportive of helping them find something they see a use for in their play because when I do they more often than not really use it for a long time. Ditto to playing downstairs. I think you'll recognize when there's just too much out and it's not getting used, or she maybe just stops playing and reports that she's bored. Usually that's the point when we'll change out what's currently out for a new crop of stuff. I say don't over-think, and just have fun and follow your gut.</p> <p>As for what we do with big items, we do the same as the small stuff. We try to bring some down to the basement for storage so it's not overwhelming to the kids or us parents. When they need something for play they can ask for help to get it (Sometimes I'll initiate an exchange: I'm happy to get the dollhouse; what can I bring down to the basement on the way down there? And they will choose another big item to put away for the time being). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toy-rotation-questions#post-2433529 Fri, 22 Jan 2016 16:44:18 +0000 rnmcdonnell 2433529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mrs. Bee's blog post today and the board post about toy control reminded me of an issue I was having that I kind of gave up on but want to try to regain control of. I get stuck sometimes with toy rotation on these few points:</p> <p>1. My 3 year old gets bored with the limited selection within about a week or less. She'll want more legos, if I've only provided a selection, or she'll ask to play with her magnatiles instead...things like that. What do other people do? Say no? I feel like I'm stifling her if she wants to build something and I'm saying she can only build with what I decided she can build with today. I don't know, I'm totally fine limiting as long as she's fine but then when she asks I feel guilty.</p> <p>2. What do you do about big toys and the "stuff" that comes with them - ride ons, dollhouse, kitchen, etc.? We have these in our basement playroom and while she doesn't play down there all the time and the toy rotation tub is more for upstairs play, I've gotten stuck before about how much of those things should be out. Because when she's feeling limited by the tub, she asks if she can go downstairs since all that stuff is out. So I don't know if it's undermining the point..</p> <p>Maybe I'm thinking too much about it, but those couple things keep tripping me up and I give in and then I just end up giving up :) I'd love any tips for how people manage this! </p>