Drowning in toys? Here’s how to handle kid clutter

Drowning in toys? Here’s how to handle kid clutter

Author: NPR March 26, 2026 Duration: 23:09
Having kids comes with a lot of clutter - some of it even shows up before your baby does. From toys that overflow from the toy chest, to unwanted hand-me-downs and the piles of art your kids make, you can't keep it all. Psychotherapist Denaye Barahona offers advice for parents on the whys and hows of decluttering.  

Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit
Sign up for our newsletter here.
Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.org
Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

There's no single right way to raise a child, but having a few reliable tools can make all the difference. Life Kit: Parenting from NPR is here to offer just that-practical, evidence-based guidance for the everyday challenges and long-term questions that come with family life. Instead of overwhelming theory, this podcast delivers actionable advice drawn from scientific research and conversations with real experts. You'll hear straightforward strategies for navigating difficult conversations, managing behavioral issues, and fostering emotional resilience, all tailored to fit into the messy reality of daily routines. Each episode focuses on a specific topic, breaking it down into clear, manageable steps you can actually use. Whether you're dealing with toddler tantrums, teenage screen time, or your own parental anxiety, the goal is to provide support that feels both compassionate and useful. By tuning in, you join a community seeking to parent with more confidence and less stress, one episode at a time. For those who want to support this work directly, Life Kit+ offers a sponsor-free listening experience.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Life Kit: Parenting
Podcast Episodes
5 Tips For Becoming A Stepparent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:22
Becoming a parent is challenging and the same is true for those becoming stepparents. In this episode, we talk to experts — some of whom are stepparents themselves — about how you can navigate the process. They share the…
A Business-Minded Way To Make Tough Family Decisions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:00
Having elementary-aged kids at home can mean a maze of tough decisions about how to run your family and what's right for your small children. Economist Emily Oster offers ways to streamline decision-making with strategie…
The Process Of Becoming A Mother Has A Name: Matrescence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:14
Becoming a mother is a huge, complicated life transition that can rock every fiber of a person's being. The process even has its own name: matrescence.That postpartum feeling of being on an emotional rollercoaster, not r…
Money Talks: How To Teach Kids About Finance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:44
Money can feel like a taboo topic in a lot of households, but talking about it regularly can take the awkwardness out of it.Kids see and do everything that we do, and that's true when it comes to money, says financial ex…
How To Talk About Divorce With Your Children [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:09
Even the most amicable split is world-changing for young children. Here are a few key tips for grown-ups trying to help their kids navigate this big transition.(This episode originally published April 26, 2019.)See pcm.a…
Finding The Perfect Name For Your Baby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:45
Picking a name for a baby can be overwhelming. With all the possibilities out in the world, it can be hard to even begin to choose. On this episode of Life Kit, host Diana Opong speaks with baby naming experts for a fram…
Navigating Life After Pregnancy Loss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:06
Despite how common pregnancy loss is, families often suffer in silence. In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, Life Kit teamed up with the hosts of the podcast docuseries NATAL to share stories from parents who have exp…
Raising Boys To Be Feminists [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:57
Author Sonora Jha shares insights from her memoir, How To Raise A Feminist Son, which includes practical to-do lists about how to handle some of the hardest conversations with sons. See pcm.adswizz.com for information ab…
Raising Kids Who Help With Chores [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:02
Raising kids who pitch in around your home doesn't require bribes or a chore chart. Kids want to help – and parents can nurture that desire by including them in age-appropriate ways.See pcm.adswizz.com for information ab…