This is a series on chucking the crap your kids have and hold on to — for better or worse. Click here for more.

Step 4: Save the Special Stuff

You know your kid better than anyone. You know that your kid needs that nasty old Mickey doll to go to sleep, or refuses to sit still unless they are holding a vending machine bouncy ball.

Here’s how it works:

This one (should be) pretty self explanatory. For heaven’s sake, save your sanity and don’t dump what they use on a regular basis. When in doubt, remove it (“hide it”) for a couple of days. If they consistently ask for it, they’re not ready to part with it. Battles of will are fought and lost (by the mom) every day.

I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed this series on chucking the crap your kids bring into your home. Whether it was once well-loved, or loved with the passion only a child can feel for all of 5 minutes, some times we just gotta take our home back!