Teach your child the art of letting go: Here is how

Collecting and hoarding are not the same. We can apply this thoughtful sentence easily to expensive, rare and important items. But what about your kid’s first toy car, the teddy bear with missing ears, or a tiny torn sweater? When the value of an object is in terms of memories and emotions, it’s difficult to let go of them. But if we don’t do it, our house would look like a museum – of childhood junk – and remain perpetually dusty. Here are a few tips to teach your child how to let go gracefully.  

Help your child identify junk   
Many children like to create collections, that often become serious affairs. Talk to them to realize if they have a collection of old tickets, toy cars, stamps, or anything that they value and want to grow. After that, ask them when they have last used completely unrelated items. For example, if they have a collection of toy cars, and they haven’t played with a large red bus toy in a long time, they need to separate the bus. So, the first step is the most difficult, separating what they must keep form what they really may not need.  

Introduce kids to the joy of giving  
Irrespective of age, giving old objects to others who would value them, give kids immense joy. If your teen has a pile of old school books, let her donate them to under privileged students. She would love the process. If your 10 year old is ready to part with toddler toys, let him hand them over to younger siblings or once again, other who can’t afford them. When a child thanks another child, it’s a reward in itself.  

Make a clean room look attractive  
Children who claim they adore their dirty, cramped rooms and closets, simply do not know what they are saying. With their permission, clean a corner or a shelf, and show them the result. Chances are, you will see a different kid in a different room within a week!  

Be the role model  
A mom with a junky kitchen and a dad with a cramped desk has no right to lecture on letting go. Set the example yourself by keeping things neat. Don’t throw away your kid’s things when they are sleeping or not at home, it’s a breach of trust. Let them know you keep the things you value, and they are expected to do the same. It can streamline matters rapidly.