Is it normal for my 7-year old to be such a packrat??

Question

My daughter likes to keep EVERYTHING! She keeps the little tags that come on stuffed toys, packages from the toys, and little bits of paper that are just cluttering up my house. She even keeps candy wrappers. Then when you try to throw it out, she gets upset and starts to cry!! Is this normal?? And how do I get her to throw things away without making her feel bad?

Answer 1

I think that any child can define to them what's normal, if you understand what I mean. Every kid is different so this may be normal for her. BUT I will say that if you have ever seen Dr. Phil you may notice some similarities with some of his gust and your little one. Sometimes when a child's life is chaotic or when she feels she can't control things she figures out a way to control something even if it as little as keeping pieces of paper. I don't know your situation but if something has changed or times have been tense this could be why. If not then maybe she found a hobby and the phase will end at some point. Until then just try to make a game out of it. Like say when she collects so many pieces and will allow you to toss them she gets a small toy or if she wants to save a lot she gets a bigger one. Get a box for her to keep the clutter down and slowly phase out the little project. Good luck and don't worry kids will be kids!!!

Answer 2

that does sounds a bit much. But sit down with her and ask her why she keeps all of the stuff. And if she answers  " I don't know" then ask her if you can throw away the really old stuff if she says no then ask her why. The chances are she collects. But 7 is a bit young to start that habit. So I would go to a counselor or something just to make sure cuz if she starts being a pac rat at 7 then imagine what her house will look like when she moves out!!! ...wow... ik... so just simply tell her she can chose 5 things today to throw away and if she doesn't you will. You are the parent and if she crys so wat? my little brother cries every time he is at the store if our mom doesn't get him what he wants and he says c**p like "how could you mom?, that is one toy i don't even have yet"! or "Mom, I have one heart and you crushed it"!)

and right now he is happy so I just about promise that if you throw things away when she isn't looking then she will never notice it is gone!!!  

Answer 3

sometimes autistic children do that, but i dont think shes autistic. just explain to her that this stuff is garbage and you know the garbage men that come every morning? they will arrest you if they see this stuff isnt in the garbage. worked w. my nephew when he didnt want to throw away food