Batch no2 the playroom
We all know she stages mess but this is definitely staged.
It’s the middle of the summer holidays and despite me repeatedly telling my 6 and 4 year old toddlers to put away things before moving onto the next thing; our playroom is constantly an explosion of toys. However it looks nothing like that. Where are the collection of figures (in our house various batmans, iron mans, pj masks and too many paw patrols for my liking) arranged into an avengers meeting? Where are the cars all lined ready for a race? Where is the half built train track?
None of this is play.
It’s stuff tipped out. Look at it carefully and it’s not arranged in a way that suggest play. Even the uno cards are just lobbed about. Even if they don’t know how to play a game they’ll usually line them up or make some sort of pattern with the cards. Nope.
She’s just spent the last however many stories showing a house that looks ready for a viewing. A house that has not had anyone sleep, shower or eat in it that day. It’s more immaculate than a show home. Yet the playroom is a tip. It’s her throwing stuff around.
Point 2 - that room is the most overwhelming playroom I’ve ever seen. In that one corner she had a Wendy house (designed for outdoor use); a play tent; play kitchen; play workshop; table and chairs. I wouldn’t know what the hell to play with if I walked in there. Most parents know that you rotate toys. You spread them out (why not have the toy kitchen Ronnies bedroom). She’s stacked them all on top of one another so that there’s actually not any space for meaningful play. Yet their bedrooms are empty. It’s utterly depressing.
Also note the punch bag. Is that for Ronnie to take out his anger on?
You're right, it doesn't look played in, it looks like it's been trashed by an adult or burgled.
If Ronnie has autism or similar then surely this room would be incredibly overstimulating?! Even for neurotypical children it would be too much.
In an actual nursery they wouldn't dream of cramming that into one room as nowhere to play or down time/quiet corner.
Something very sad as well that the kids aren't allowed toys in the four living rooms.
Something lovely about having a few bits and pieces in the living/family room, where you can all be together and play together. Can't see Sofa getting on her hands and knees in the playroom apart from for an advert.
If the mess really has been caused by the boys then I'd have thought them completely trashing the room would suggest there are too many different things going on.
If Ron is on the spectrum then maybe it should be more of a sensory calming room, some toys in large chests so they can be tucked away for more calming play, and with parents taking a more proactive approach to structuring it rather than just everything in a room.
Did make me feel sad for them, no teddies on the sofa in the many living rooms, you'd never think any children lived there.
who doesn’t even have one single item in their airing cupboard?! Obviously had the cleaners out that morning and felt braggy
but she has a massive house and doesn’t have that problem, and she’s still a 
. In Hinch’s case there’s just no reason given their house is huge
