Amy asks a great question, so if we're going to teach our kids to be good kind-hearted citizens of this world and clean out unloved toys from our homes, where do we put the toys? As a feminista, where do we put the toys?

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

1) A local charity resale shop. Here in Chicago, my shop of choice is the Howard Brown Brown Elephant. It's a shop that is near my house and there is always that fear that I'll buy back something, but hey, I guess I really did like it!

2) Women's shelter. Women do leave abusive situations with kids in tow. Knowing that the transition can be especially hard on the lil ones, why not have some awesome toys waiting for them? Chances are, the escape was quick & light...meaning they left their toys at home. Call first to make sure they even accept mothers with children at their shelters. Here's one I found on Blingo.

3) A community organization that works with the poor. I found this nifty org based in Massachusetts. Who knew there were poor people in Massachusetts? I kid...of course.

4) The EPA has a page on recycling old toys!

5) Hold a yard sale and donate the money!

Please note that some children's hospitals do accept used toys, but most only accept new toys due to strict health codes. So if your kids gets a few doubles and you can't get the receipt, consider that. I know Ella has a 2nd Dora memory game that I still haven't figured out what to do with. Now I do!

Also, most places don't accept stuffed animals due to allergy concerns. So send me your old Poohbears. ;) AND it's best to clean the toys as best as possible.

Lastly...If that toy is so old and battered that you'd never accept it, don't donate it. It's time for toy heaven. Poor people do have diginity. I think we all forget that at times. I know I do, but it's more that part of me that thinks, "these pants are still good, just faded!"

So good luck! And let me know how it goes.

Labels: family, feminism