Anonymous wrote:I agree with your DH. I only like toys in the playroom and bathtub. All books are in their bedrooms (and we probably have 1000 books). I think you just need to get stricter about having them clean up. 3 and 5 year olds can clean up well. For instance, my kids color at the breakfast table and then put the markers and books away. Zero toys are allowed upstairs (bedrooms are for sleeping and reading), living room, dining room, or kitchen. Sometimes we build in the family room or have the bounce house there, but afterwards they are picked up.
I have a similar argument though over dh's tools and electronics (he likes to build electronics and tinker with things). They go EVERYWHERE! But he's not a 4 year old I can tell what to do. So I have a box in the dining room and at the end of the week, I pile them all up and put them in his box.
I hope someday you will let your kids have some time to play alone in their rooms! My kids really enjoy some down time and keeping a special toy in their own room when they want to.