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How do you slim down a surplus of playthings when your child doesn't want to let any of them go? It's a common question for moms with young children.

Circle of Moms member LiAnne P., for example, says it's time for Spring-cleaning, but her children are really attached to their old toys. "Is there a way to make it easier on them?" she asks the Circle of Moms community. 

Similarly, Paulette R. says every room in her home is "jam-packed with crates of toys." As her family gets ready to move to a new house, she knows they need to de-clutter, but her sons get upset when she tries to pare down. "I have tried on many occasions to get rid of things, and they become hysterical," she shares. "Hence the reason why I have never been able to bring myself to throw anything way since they were babies . . . they have both been having meltdowns this morning for the last two hours."

If you, too, are finding your children have formed strong attachments to their toys, here are eight tips from Circle of Moms members on how to make saying goodbye easier.

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Preschoolers love to make messes. Just ask Circle of Moms member Jessica E., who describes a day in the life of her 3-year-old daughter this way: "She pulls my makeup down and smears it. She opens up bottles of shampoo and squirts them empty. She empties toothpaste on the walls, colors everywhere, and throws food everywhere (like a box of crackers or grapes)." Help, she begs. "I have tried everything. I just don't know what to do about all the messes and how to get her to stop."

Whether it's unrolling toilet paper, scattering toys throughout the house, or coloring on the walls, all this mess-making is a sign that your preschooler is doing her job: exploring the world. But even though her habit is developmentally appropriate, it can be hard to live with! Here, to the rescue, are three tips from Circle of Moms members on controlling the chaos, plus advice on how to deal with your little mess-maker's behavior in restaurants.

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Do your curious kids touch and taste everything in sight? Time to befriend your box of baking soda! Free of harsh chemicals, baking soda is a wonderfully effective and kid-safe household product that can be used on everything from kitchen drains to diaper rashes. Here are nine ways to use this impressive natural cleaning product in your home.

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Incredibly affordable and environmentally safe, vinegar is an ideal product for homes with small, curious children who love to touch and taste. How can you use it? Keep reading for eight ideas!