I didn't understand it. They would have their room picked up, but a few hours later, it would be messy again. Toys all over floor, blankets on floor. Toys in hallway; toys downstairs.

I definitely was getting tired of looking at mess, tired of stepping on Legos, but it was more than that. I was aggravated that they didn't appreciate what they had!

When I was growing up, we had only a few toys. I took good care of those toys - I still have my Tinker Toys in original metal can with included instruction book - and I'm 37!

My parents didn't have to nag me all time - I don't think - to pick up my toys. I know that I appreciated them because they were so few and far between.

My kids have been less fortunate in that respect - tons of toys from Grandparents and relatives for Christmas.

Toys that move, make noises, and you name it.

They definitely don't appreciate abundance of toys that they have. So, I figured that I'd teach them what it's like to appreciate them or they wouldn't get to have any!

One day I told them that every time I stepped on a toy, or had to pick up pieces of a set, or had to pick up something that was left out, it was going in trash.

And that's what I did. But it didn't work.

You see, they ended up having ALL their toys in trash. It was annoying because there wasn't anything left to play with when other kids came over.

And it still didn't solve problem of not appreciating what they had.

They didn't even have time to miss toys - they didn't have to. It was only a short while before next birthday or holiday brought in a new batch of them.

So, with my thinking cap on, I came up with my next plan of attack - a sticker and reward chart system.

They were excited, thrilled, and motivated. When they got up in morning, they'd do all things on their chart, anxious to have boxes filled up with stickers.

But, stickers and reward charts only work once a day! When "my toys are picked up" box has a sticker, rest of day went down tube.

And, it didn't work to just give stickers at bedtime. They had no motivation to pick up during day, and it became a nightmare divvying out all stickers when bedtime already dragged on longer than it should!

So, I gave up for awhile. The lecture method didn't work, "tossing toys" method didn't work, and reward chart didn't work way I wanted it too.

-Start sorting through your household for unwanted items have mindset that almost anything will sell if it is a bargain - Price your items price items about 25-35% of what they cost new (clothes are exceptions - 5-15% here) - Pick a date and time for your sale weekends are best; avoid public holidays or special events - Write your ad give address and hours of sale; mention items that are of particular interest - Place your ad in local newspapers and using free garage sale adversting sites. put up flyers on local community boards; inform neighbours as they might want to have a joint sale 1 week before sale