Kids want to keep the toy kitchen

[Anonymous]

I want it out by Christmas. One is 10 and one is 13. They DO play with it as do visiting younger kids but I'm in a de-clutter phase and I just want it out. Other than just saying "my house my way" other ideas?

[Anonymous]

Sigh. We went through this. I’d leave it for a little bit more. Mine were very j to pretend play and it kept them and their friends engaged longer than I would have expected.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, is this my future?

I have unsuccessfully tried to remove it by suggesting replacing it with with something more age appropriate, but mine will then reject whatever I want to replace it with. For instance I said if we got rid of the toy kitchen, we'd have space to get a high quality keyboard. My kids love music and have asked for a piano so I thought this would be an easy trade. Nope, they have since told me they no longer want a piano.

My DD asked for a wardrobe for her room (it doesn't have a closet so she just has a dresser). I said that's a great idea, but then we'll need to move the dresser to another room (not going to get rid of the dresser, which is really nice) -- perhaps we could put it where the play kitchen is and use it to store linens? Nope, now DD doesn't want a wardrobe anymore.

These didn't work for me but maybe you'd have more luck. Is there anything they'd really enjoy that could replace the kitchen? A foosball table? Somewhere to store/display legos?

Why do kids get so attached to play kitchens, more so than other toys?

[Anonymous]

Aww, OP, this is sweet. Hold onto that glimpse of childhood before they are 100% surly teens!

[Anonymous]

op here;

You mean I am not alone?! What's up with the play kitchens?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want it out by Christmas. One is 10 and one is 13. They DO play with it as do visiting younger kids but I'm in a de-clutter phase and I just want it out. Other than just saying "my house my way" other ideas?

Let them enjoy it a while longer. They'll lose interest soon enough and you can get rid of it then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, is this my future?

I have unsuccessfully tried to remove it by suggesting replacing it with with something more age appropriate, but mine will then reject whatever I want to replace it with. For instance I said if we got rid of the toy kitchen, we'd have space to get a high quality keyboard. My kids love music and have asked for a piano so I thought this would be an easy trade. Nope, they have since told me they no longer want a piano.

My DD asked for a wardrobe for her room (it doesn't have a closet so she just has a dresser). I said that's a great idea, but then we'll need to move the dresser to another room (not going to get rid of the dresser, which is really nice) -- perhaps we could put it where the play kitchen is and use it to store linens? Nope, now DD doesn't want a wardrobe anymore.

These didn't work for me but maybe you'd have more luck. Is there anything they'd really enjoy that could replace the kitchen? A foosball table? Somewhere to store/display legos?

Why do kids get so attached to play kitchens, more so than other toys?

You sound kind of mean.

Let the kids be kids. Maybe you should throw away your dresser that nobody wants or your “beautiful decor” instead of focusing on trashing the things that are important to your children.

[Anonymous]

We moved the kitchen to the backyard at some point in elementary school. It became the center piece for mudpie and "potion" creations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aww, OP, this is sweet. Hold onto that glimpse of childhood before they are 100% surly teens!

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We moved the kitchen to the backyard at some point in elementary school. It became the center piece for mudpie and "potion" creations.

This is a great idea. I might try this. I even have a place for it outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, is this my future?

I have unsuccessfully tried to remove it by suggesting replacing it with with something more age appropriate, but mine will then reject whatever I want to replace it with. For instance I said if we got rid of the toy kitchen, we'd have space to get a high quality keyboard. My kids love music and have asked for a piano so I thought this would be an easy trade. Nope, they have since told me they no longer want a piano.

My DD asked for a wardrobe for her room (it doesn't have a closet so she just has a dresser). I said that's a great idea, but then we'll need to move the dresser to another room (not going to get rid of the dresser, which is really nice) -- perhaps we could put it where the play kitchen is and use it to store linens? Nope, now DD doesn't want a wardrobe anymore.

These didn't work for me but maybe you'd have more luck. Is there anything they'd really enjoy that could replace the kitchen? A foosball table? Somewhere to store/display legos?

Why do kids get so attached to play kitchens, more so than other toys?

You sound kind of mean.

Let the kids be kids. Maybe you should throw away your dresser that nobody wants or your “beautiful decor” instead of focusing on trashing the things that are important to your children.

I'm not going to get rid of a perfectly functional dresser that could be used for decades in favor of a plastic play kitchen that my kids will 100% stop playing with at some point. My kids are old enough to cook actual food in an actual kitchen, they are just struggling with letting go of a toy they really don't use much at all anymore.

But fine, I'm mean. Sometimes being a parent means letting people call you mean simply for speaking reason.

[Anonymous]

Let them keep it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op here;

You mean I am not alone?! What's up with the play kitchens?

Mine wanted to keep it even though they didn’t play with it any longer. They were a bit younger than yours…8 and 10 probably. I donated it to a family in need and that made them happy! They just had a sentimental attachment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, is this my future?

I have unsuccessfully tried to remove it by suggesting replacing it with with something more age appropriate, but mine will then reject whatever I want to replace it with. For instance I said if we got rid of the toy kitchen, we'd have space to get a high quality keyboard. My kids love music and have asked for a piano so I thought this would be an easy trade. Nope, they have since told me they no longer want a piano.

My DD asked for a wardrobe for her room (it doesn't have a closet so she just has a dresser). I said that's a great idea, but then we'll need to move the dresser to another room (not going to get rid of the dresser, which is really nice) -- perhaps we could put it where the play kitchen is and use it to store linens? Nope, now DD doesn't want a wardrobe anymore.

These didn't work for me but maybe you'd have more luck. Is there anything they'd really enjoy that could replace the kitchen? A foosball table? Somewhere to store/display legos?

Why do kids get so attached to play kitchens, more so than other toys?

You sound kind of mean.

Let the kids be kids. Maybe you should throw away your dresser that nobody wants or your “beautiful decor” instead of focusing on trashing the things that are important to your children.

I'm not going to get rid of a perfectly functional dresser that could be used for decades in favor of a plastic play kitchen that my kids will 100% stop playing with at some point. My kids are old enough to cook actual food in an actual kitchen, they are just struggling with letting go of a toy they really don't use much at all anymore.

But fine, I'm mean. Sometimes being a parent means letting people call you mean simply for speaking reason.

They have not 100% stopped playing with it yet, because they're still wanting to be kids for a little big longer. They aren't struggling to let go of it, you are trying to force them prematurely to let go of it.

Yes, it takes up space to have both the kids' stuff and the teens' stuff. This period won't last long.

--Empty nester

[Anonymous]

I would rather my kids hang on to the play kitchen than ask for more screen time. Think about your priorities, OP. Is decluttering worth it?