LONDON, June 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study of
1,000 British families has revealed that parents are hanging on to
their children's toys even after their child has stopped playing
with them.
The research, carried out by online marketplace eBay UK in the
lead up to the launch of Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 4, shows it
could be parents' own sentimental attachment to their children's
toys, that prevents them from being cleared out.
To combat this and lend a hand to parents, eBay UK has teamed up
with top psychologist Honey
Langcaster-James to develop tips for parents keen to free up
some much-needed space in their home, and make some extra spending
money in the meantime.
Honey says: "Sometimes people hold on to children's toys for
longer than needed because they get caught up in the memories and
their emotional connection to them, and don't know how to detach
and deal with the practical issue. This can especially be the case
when it comes to play-things they gave their little ones at an
early age."
"For parents who struggle to let go of their child's toys, it
can be helpful for them to think about the need to lead by example
and find a few practical strategies to help to reduce the
emotionality of it all. Selling on old toys together as a family
can also be a great way to free up some cash and invest that in
making new memories together."
Honey's tips include:
Start Small
- Focus on one area of the home, perhaps that box of unused
toys that have been gathering dust in the garage for years.
Once started, families may well find that they
will get on a roll with it.
Create a habit
- Make 'letting-go' of old toys, a family habit. Introduce the
process as just a regular part of family life between the seasons.
By identifying a few old toys to clear out every few
months, one can make it part of their family routine. This
will enable everyone to get more comfortable with clearing out and
can prevent problems in the future. Once something has been
normalised, it becomes easier for everyone.
Make money
- Rewarding for letting things go by realising some of the
hidden financial value in the toys lying around the home. Take the
first step by opening an online selling account, such as eBay,
selling a few things on and making some money. This can be a great
way to raise funds for a special event or even a special treat
for families so they can create even more great family
memories together.
Nikin Patel, Director of
Consumer-to-Consumer Selling at eBay added, "At eBay we see a huge
market for pre-loved toys. We understand that many parents not only
find it hard to let go of toys their children have loved, but also
what to do with them when they're no longer played with. By listing
unused toys on eBay we can guarantee that, just like Buzz and
Woody, they'll be off on their next adventure in no time."
"These toys can be given new homes, make new children happy, and
even help you make a bit of extra cash."
For more information on selling toys on eBay visit
https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/selling/start-selling-ebay?id=4081